Balcony Gardening as a Micro-Scale Component of Urban Green Infrastructure: Motivations, Benefits and Governance Gaps in Sweden

Balcony gardening has become increasingly relevant in dense urban environments, providing residents with a way to address limited access to green spaces and reduced everyday contact with nature. Despite the growing importance of urban green infrastructure (GI), there is a significant lack of understanding of balcony gardening as a decentralized, distributed, and resident-driven component of urban greening, as it is often viewed as an isolated hobby. This study conceptualises balcony gardening as a micro-scale, resident-driven component of urban GI. Data were collected in Sweden via a semi-structured online survey. The results show that among the surveyed group, balcony gardening is mainly motivated by food self-provision (77%) and aesthetic enjoyment (67%), while also providing intangible benefits such as improved mood (65%) and reduced stress (36%). Knowledge is primarily acquired through self-learning (90%) and digital communities, compensating for the lack of formal support. Respondents perceived balcony gardening as falling outside formal governance structures, with limited interaction with local authorities. Respondents face structural barriers, including limited space (51%) and insufficient lighting (41%). The findings highlight the governance gaps of a practice that respondents associate with multiple urban sustainability functions, pointing to the need for more inclusive planning approaches.