Promoting planting in front gardens: a systematic approach to intervention development.

Area of Science:

• Environmental psychology
• Behavioural science
• Urban planning

Background:

• Front gardens offer human and environmental health benefits.
• Behavioural research on promoting front gardening is limited.
• Effective interventions require theory and evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify effective behaviour change interventions for promoting front gardening in UK households.
• To apply the Behaviour Change Wheel and COM-B model.
• To develop community-level interventions based on scientific evidence and stakeholder feedback.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature.
• Behavioural systems mapping to identify community actors.
• Application of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model.
• Expert evaluation and stakeholder consultation using the APEASE criteria.

Main Results:

• 12 community-level intervention recommendations were formulated.
• Stakeholders preferred educational and supportive strategies (e.g., workshops, starter kits) over persuasive ones.
• Front gardening behaviour is complex, influenced by community actors and other behaviours.

Conclusions:

• Behavioural science can effectively inform front gardening promotion.
• Interventions should be tailored to community context and stakeholder preferences.
• Further research should evaluate the proposed interventions in practice.