The article gives an argument tended to regard community gardens as places to practice active citizenship, considering specific areas of study in Paris and Rome. By analyzing the genesis and the state of art in the two capitals, it reaches a critical synthesis aimed at relating spaces, practices and imaginaries. The great diversity of these examples leads to a choice: have we to completely plan and organize community gardening or rather would it be more fruitful to imagine these gardens as a sort of spaces of freedom in the city?
Keywords: Community gardens, active citizenship, urban policies, commons, Rome, Paris