Green Islands in the City: Allotment Gardens as Urban Biofilters and Cooling Spaces in Warsaw, Poland

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.