Community gardens have become an essential component of urban green spaces, fostering social interaction while promoting ecological sustainability. Originating in late 18th-century Britain as allotments, community gardens have gradually expanded globally. In high-density urban environments, these gardens provide residents with recreational opportunities and enhance environmental awareness. Various governance models have emerged in the development of community gardens, including top-down approaches led by professionals, bottom-up approaches managed by local residents, and hybrid governance models that integrate professional expertise with grassroots participation. In China, the development of community gardens has been influenced by international practices. Since 2014, pilot projects such as the Clover House initiative in Shanghai have contributed to the growth of community gardens in major cities like Shenzhen, Changsha, and Beijing. These initiatives, often supported by municipal policies, aim to integrate urban planning with community participation, creating localized green spaces that reflect residents' needs and preferences. Despite the increasing number of community gardens, challenges remain, such as design mismatches with community needs, lack of coordination among stakeholders, and difficulties in long-term maintenance. This study analyzes the cases of Fengquan Gujing Community in Changsha and the "Co-Constructed Gardens" initiative in Shenzhen, exploring the construction and sustainable development pathways of community gardens under different governance models. In Fengquan Gujing Community, a co-creation approach was adopted, initiated by a local organization and integrating multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, schools, and community residents. Key initiatives included small-scale green interventions, participatory workshops, and the establishment of rooftop gardens in collaboration with local schools. The study highlights that collaborative planning is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of such projects. In contrast, the "Co-Constructed Gardens" initiative launched in Shenzhen in 2019 represents an alternative governance model driven by administrative forces. While this model has been highly effective in rapidly implementing green spaces, its heavy reliance on government funding poses sustainability challenges. Therefore, this study suggests that the long-term development of community gardens should gradually transition towards community-led maintenance, supported by social investments. Through the analysis of the Changsha and Shenzhen cases, this study concludes that community gardens have great potential in enhancing social cohesion, improving urban ecology, and promoting participatory governance. However, to ensure their sustainable development, future policies should focus on balancing top-down facilitation with bottom-up community engagement, allowing community gardens to adapt to evolving urban dynamics and residents' needs.