The role of community gardens in improving mental health and intergenerational bonding: evidence from Ekbatan town, Tehran

Mohammadi, Farzad; Zandieh, Mahdi

doi:10.22034/uep.2026.570170.1816

The role of community gardens in improving mental health and intergenerational bonding: evidence from Ekbatan town, Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Farzad Mohammadi ¹

Mahdi Zandieh ²

¹ Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU)

² Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU)

10.22034/uep.2026.570170.1816

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Iran’s metropolises, particularly in dense residential complexes such as Tehran’s Ekbatan Town, has resulted in social isolation, weakened intergenerational bonds, and mental health challenges. This study investigates the role of spontaneous community gardens as a low-cost tool for enhancing psychological well-being and intergenerational cohesion, providing policy implications for sustainable urban planning. A mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) approach was employed, with the study population consisting of active residents of Ekbatan’s community gardens. A standard questionnaire (including the WHO-5 scale, nine Likert items, and open-ended questions) was distributed among 88 participants (selected via purposive-snowball sampling). Instrument reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.91 and 0.85. Data were analyzed using SPSS (descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, t-test) and thematic analysis. Findings indicated an average mental well-being score of 19.12 out of 25 and an intergenerational bonds score of 3.83 out of 5. The highest score belonged to “feeling useful through mutual learning” (4.33). Age group differences were not significant (p > 0.05), but a significant positive correlation was observed between weekly activity hours and both variables (r ≈ 0.30, p < 0.01). Qualitative analysis highlighted the main themes of “tranquility derived from connection with nature,” “intergenerational mutual learning,” and “strengthened civic participation.” These gardens can be integrated into urban regeneration policies and social health programs, shifting the planning paradigm from merely providing green space towards creating opportunities for participation within it.

Keywords

Citizen presence and participation

Community gardens

Mental health

Intergenerational bonds

Sustainable urban development

Subjects

Urban planning

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