HISTORICAL ALLOTMENT GARDENS OF THE CITY OF WROCŁAW AS AN ELEMENT OF URBAN GREENER SYSTEM PLANNING
KATARZYNA GRYNIEWICZ-BALIŃSKA
The political and socio-economic transformations in 19th century Germany brought about a major growth in urban populations, and resulted in the emergence of allotment gardening which was to serve economic, health and social functions. In Wrocław, the first such gardens, temporary in nature, appeared in 1840s. In early 1900s Wrocław saw the development of so-called Schreber gardens, mature in composition and intended to perform a variety of functions (e.g. in Pola Stawowe – 1902, in Przedmieście Odrzańskie and Przedmieście Piaskowe – 1906). Large industrial plants were accompanied by workers’ gardens, schools set up school gardens where students planted and grew their own vegetables. During World War I, necessity called for setting up special vegetable gardens for alimentation purposes. After the war, gardens became permanent and went on to constitute a fixture in urban green spaces, and, consequently, urban development plans. The 1920s saw the beginning of systemic introduction of allotment garden complexes in Wrocław’s city planning. In late 1920s and early 1930s, a number of permanent complexes appeared, with regular layouts and uniform architecture (e.g. in Tarnogaj and Kowale). Permanent allotments assumed the character of public complexes. They often adjoined urban parks or were incorporated in larger sports and recreation areas – so-called People’s parks (e.g. in Popowice and Gajowice). During the 1930s crisis, permanent allotments were created in an effort to provide shelter for the homeless and unemployed (e.g. Księże Małe and Osobowice).
Keywords: Greenery system, allotment gardens, typology, Wrocław, 1900–1939