I must admit that the idea of renting plots for planting is ingenious and I have never come across it. And what you're showing here is an extremely unusual sight.
I think people in cities desperately need something like this. More and more. I grew up in a small town where our small apartment building for 6 families had a garden area. Each family had two plots and sowed everything there - from tomatoes and onions to grapes and peach trees. Then people became very modern and abandoned these backward activities, but today again things have turned in the opposite direction.
And also, people need more parks too.
I think people in cities desperately need something like this.
Yes, that is what's happening here. These garden plots are very popular. It used to be just a plot on the ground. Maybe they realized that the raised plots are more convenient for the people using it - most of whom are elderly.
The whole idea of the community gardens is for residents who are into gardening to have somewhere for their interest. It is also a good place for them to social interact with each other. It is our government's way of keeping our elderly healthy mentally and physically.