Urban farming is booming in Malmö like never before. Over 1,000 people currently wait for gardening plots in Sweden's third-largest city. The city keeps creating new growing spaces to meet demand.
Agneta Wadmark Thern oversees the city's gardening plots and allotment areas. She said officials constantly seek new locations for urban agriculture. "But city land must serve many purposes," she noted in a statement.
She recently showed the new Djupadal area where 40 plots opened in 2023. Another 40 plots will appear in Gottorpsparken in Bunkeflo when completed.
Amalia Lucchesi has gardened since the 1960s. Her plot provides healthier living and social connections. "I come here twice daily," she said while showing kale and lettuce thriving in late autumn.
The 2023 city plan prioritizes new urban farming spaces. Officials will also identify locations for additional gardening plots and allotment areas next year.
Allotment cottages can cost up to 1 million Swedish kronor ($95,000). Basic plots without cottages run 8-11 kronor ($0.75-1.00) per square meter annually.
"We try to keep prices low so everyone can afford it," Wadmark Thern explained.
The waiting list reveals strong public interest in local food production. This reflects broader European trends toward sustainable city living. Malmö's approach makes gardening accessible despite urban space constraints.