A substantial part of architectural and urban design involves processing of compositional interdependencies and contexts. This article attempts to isolate the problem of spatial composition from the broader category of synthetic image processing. The capacity of deep convolutional neural networks for recognition and utilization of complex compositional principles has been demonstrated and evaluated under three scenarios varying in scope and approach. The proposed method reaches 95.1%–98.5% efficiency in the generation of context-fitting spatial composition. The technique can be applied for the extraction of compositional principles from the architectural, urban, or artistic contexts and may facilitate the design-related decision making by complementing the required expert analysis.

Urban gardens, including Family Allotment Gardens (FAGs) and community gardens (CGs), play an increasingly important role in the ecological and social structure of cities that are to be adapted to climate change. For this purpose, alongside recreational and productive benefits, regulatory ecosystem services are becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study, conducted in Warsaw, was to examine the relationship between five classified types of vegetation use in urban gardens—turf, flower, vegetable, orchard, and abandoned— in the terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services they provide. The study places particular emphasis on floristical biodiversity and regulating services (e.g., microclimate regulation, water retention, air quality improvement, and pollinator support), and introduces a novel consideration of abandoned plots with spontaneous vegetation, which have been marginally addressed in previous studies despite their growing presence in cities. Field data were collected from 44 garden plots. Results showed that while flower and orchard gardens provide the broadest range of regulating ecosystem services, abandoned plots exhibit the highest biodiversity and vegetation density, indicating their potential as future ecological hubs. However, their current contribution to ecosystem functioning remains limited due to their early successional stage. Overall, differences in ecosystem service provision between garden types were smaller than anticipated, suggesting the complexity of multiple factors influencing service quality. There was considerable within-group variation between the identified types, indicating that microscale management and vegetation structure may be more significant than formal garden classification. We argue that the observed, short-term and small-scale forms of greenery in urban gardens are insufficient to produce an impact at a supra-local scale.

The goal of this paper is to explore whether there is potential in the Warsaw community to develop urban gardens (UG) to foster adaptation to climate change. The paper acknowledges the presence of UG in the research-recognised repertoire of climate change adaptation tools and, based on social research, highlights and discusses features essential for the potential of social capital. The characteristics of gardeners and urban gardening leaders, the functions of UG as perceived by gardeners and indicators of success were examined. The results identify factors influencing engagement conditions, longevity premises and effectiveness agents.

Urban gardens (UG) in densely populated cities serve as vital spaces, fostering community well‐being, biodiversity, and local food production. Yet, these gardens face a growing threat from air and soil contamination, particularly in cities like Warsaw (Poland), where proximity to major roads, an international airport, and industrial activities elevates the risks. This study, focusing on six UGs in Warsaw, assessed the soil (including potentially toxic elements (PTE) content using spectrophotometric method, soil toxicity and health risks using OECD 208 test method and US EPA Hazard identification method) and air quality (PM_2.5 concentration) recorded at 1.5 m with a calibrated Nephelometer. The results revealed that soil PTE concentrations remained low, with dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phytotoxicity tests showing no toxic effects. Both microbial activity and plant growth were unaffected by pollution levels, suggesting that these UGs maintain healthy ecosystems. Moreover, health risk assessments confirmed no significant risks associated with exposure to garden soils for either adults or children. The reduction of PM_2.5 levels within the gardens further highlights their role as protective green spaces. These findings support the idea that UGs, even in areas exposed to urban stressors, do not pose significant environmental or health risks, making them safe, and valuable components of urban infrastructure.

Family Allotment Gardens (FAGs) represent key components of urban cooling and air-purification systems. However, research has mainly focused on their social roles and on their contributions to food production. This study quantified the capacity of FAGs in Warsaw (Poland) to provide two key ecosystem services at distances up to 300 m from their boundaries: air-pollution filtration and microclimate regulation. Measurements of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), air temperature and relative humidity were conducted along transects inside and outside three allotment complexes in autumn 2023, a period characterised by increased traffic emissions and elevated particulate levels. The results show a moderate but significant reduction in PM concentrations inside gardens (by about 2 µg/m³; r = 0.22–0.29) and slightly higher humidity (by 2.1%; r = −0.34). The cooling effect was weak (<0.3 °C; r = 0.06), indicating a limited spatial range under autumn conditions, though selected transects exhibited stronger local effects. The results confirm that FAGs can contribute to air purification and local climate regulation, but their effectiveness depends on vegetation structure and urban context. Strengthening their role requires integration with green-infrastructure planning and emission-reduction practices within gardens. FAGs, beyond their recreational and productive value, should be recognised as active components of urban adaptation strategies.