Applying Ecovillage Praxis to Foster Regeneration and Urban Socio-Ecological Transformation: An Exploratory Analysis of 5 Malmö Community Gardens

Abstract: This research aims to fill the lacuna in the literature concerning the application of ecovillage praxis in spaces other than intentional communities by focusing on urban community gardens (UCGs) in Malmö, Sweden, as communities of practice where this could be integrated. It introduces both ecovillages and UCGs, as well as their associated praxis. Data was gathered about the first using semi-structured interviews with six ecovillage experts from the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and the European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability (ECOLISE), whilst information on the second was collected through narrative walks with five key gardening practitioners. The research explores ecovillage and UCG praxis to establish the potential for scaling across elements of the former to the latter, as well as to assist in the transition towards greater regeneration and an urban socio-ecological transformation. The results show that UCGs provide the foundation for incorporating ecovillage praxis as they already contribute to a sense of community and recognise the interrelationship of socio-ecological linkages. However, in contrast to ecovillage praxis, their approaches appear less holistic and intentional, and rather than speak of regeneration, the focus still seems to lie on sustainability. The research therefore suggests that UCGs can serve as spaces for bringing ecovillage praxis into an urban context and may simultaneously benefit in doing so, by becoming more effective agents of socio-ecological change.