The Distribution and Uses of Private Gardens in Romanian Small Towns

Urban green infrastructure has emerged as a central element of planning strategies to enhance environmental quality, support climate change adaptation, improve public health, and enhance urban resilience. While approaches to the development of urban green infrastructures have generally focused on large parks and public green areas, recent discourse increasingly acknowledges the importance of small-scale, decentralized spaces—among which private gardens hold significant potential. Often overlooked in urban planning and green infrastructure assessments, private gardens can constitute a considerable share of urban green space, particularly in small towns, where land availability and residential typologies favor their maintenance, management, and development. This study examines the structure and functionality of private gardens as components of urban green infrastructure in Romanian small towns, building on the detailed analysis of three municipalities with populations between 8,800 and 22,000 inhabitants (i.e., Carei, Ineu, Cisnădie). Using aerial images, we spatially mapped information on the surface, configuration, and distribution of private gardens within the public-private property structure of the three small towns. In addition, we surveyed 199 garden-owning urban residents about the internal layout and location of gardens within households, management practices, and the perceived social and environmental benefits. Findings show that private gardens account for between 12.98% and 45.35% of the total city area, far more than public green spaces, which range from 0.01% to 0.77%. Respondents emphasized the importance of aesthetics (58.8%), food production (50.8%), and the creation of personal or family-oriented recreational spaces (30.7%). Gardening and leisure time are closely intertwined and often centered around these private green areas. The results underscore the potential of private gardens to gradually assume more structured roles in supporting urban ecological functions, offering valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers seeking to enhance green infrastructure in small towns.