Les jardins partagés franciliens

Since the late 1990’s, the jardin partagé (literally shared garden) have emerged in France. It is described as the new trendy green space manifesting the promotion of environmentally friendly behaviors, a desire of leisure, social bonding and citizen commitment. Managed by inhabitants, the jardins partagés have been multiplied in Île-de-France, supported by City councils. As a response to global and local issues related to environment, societies and food production, the jardins partagés are territorial markers of social and political processes of « producing » and « living » the contemporary city. This paper aims to question the jardins partagés as environmental transition territories because they would participate in the improvement of the environment and its ecological components. Based on 48 case-studies located in the Parisian metropolitan area, the analysis of discourses and practices of users and politicians highlight the role of jardins partagés as living environment enhancement and awareness to environmentally friendly practices that promote urban biodiversity.