El fenómeno de los huertos urbanos y sus posibilidades para el Trabajo Social Comunitario

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of urban gardens from a socio-community perspective, analysing their potential as spaces for social cohesion, citizen participation and neighbourhood revitalisation in urban contexts marked by fragmentation and unwanted loneliness. Based on a methodology that combines a literature review and participant observation in the community garden Ensancha el huerto (Alcorcón, Madrid), the study explores the social, symbolic and relational meanings that these spaces acquire in contemporary neighbourhoods. The analysis shows that urban gardens operate as micro-ecosystems of mutual support, intergenerational learning, knowledge democratisation and territorial reappropriation, embodying practices that challenge individualism, productivism and neoliberal urbanism. The findings also highlight the relevance of urban gardens for Community Social Work, as they serve as tools to strengthen social ties, promote informal participation and foster shared care practices. The article reviews experiences from different territories in Spain and offers a critical reflection on the risks associated with institutionalisation, commodification and the legal insecurity surrounding such initiatives. Finally, it argues for the inclusion of urban gardens in the Social Work agenda as valuable community devices to address loneliness, enhance group cohesion and promote more sustainable, inclusive and cooperative ways of inhabiting the city.