Exploring urban community gardens as ‘third places’: fostering social interaction in distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town, South Africa

The process of urbanisation and the associated urban lifestyle have been linked to social isolation and negative mental health impacts. As urbanisation and mobility continue to surge in African cities, urban planners face the challenge of creating inclusive spaces that encourage social interaction among urbanites. This research utilises the conceptual lens of ‘Third places’ to assess the role of urban community gardens in cultivating spaces that mitigate the negative effects of urbanisation within distressed communities in Cape Town, South Africa. A qualitative approach, involving open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews, along with observations, was employed to achieve the research aims. Findings revealed that individuals perceive community gardens as a channel for breaking free from isolation and fostering informal interactions among neighbourhood residents. However, the effectiveness of these gardens is hindered by several factors, such as their location and land tenure insecurity, which impede their ability to bring about meaningful changes within their communities. This research urges scholars to critically reconsider established criteria for third places, advocating for a nuanced understanding that acknowledges the diverse dynamics of community gardening in global South cities, thereby enriching theoretical discourse and informing practical interventions for fostering inclusive and sustainable urban communities.