Urban domestic gardens (X): the extent & structure of the resource in five major cities

Private domestic gardens are known to constitute a considerable proportion of “green space” in urban areas and are therefore of potential significance for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem service provision in such areas. However, little is known about the actual size and nature of this resource. This study provides the first detailed audit and comparison of the size and structure of the domestic garden resource across different cities in the U.K. (Edinburgh, Belfast, Leicester, Oxford and Cardiff). The urban area of each city covered by domestic gardens ranged from 21.8% to 26.8% and was positively correlated with variation in human population density and housing density. In a random sample of at least 500 houses in each city, 99% had associated gardens, the mean areas of which ranged from 155.4 m² to 253.0 m² and were closely associated with housing type (terraced, semi-detached or detached houses). Relatively small gardens (< 400 m²) contributed disproportionately to the total garden area of each city, being more numerous than larger gardens. There was no clear relationship between garden area and distance to the edge of any of the cities. These and other results are discussed in terms of the potential role of urban gardens as wildlife habitats and the implications for housing policy.