This session was organised by IDRC, in cooperation with RUAF partners ETC-Urban Agriculture and IGSNRR.

In this panel local authorities from Beijing, Kampala, Rosario and Vancouver shared their experiences and discussed the next steps in strengthening the contribution of various forms of urban and peri-urban agriculture to different “city visions

Abdelmalek Boudjenouia, André Fleury and Abdelmalek Tacherift

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

Nowadays, quality of living is considered as a key factor for the physical and psychological wellbeing of city dwellers. The presence of nature in the city is an important component due to the diversity of its functions. In addition, it can be a valuable source for companies, improving their corporate image and working environment. The environmental space of a city determines in part its fitness for habitation and economic resources under the concept of a sustainable city. For farmers, the environmental space primarily represents a production area, but increasingly this space is seen as being multifunctional.

Antonio Lattuca, Raul Terrile, Laura Bracalenti, Laura Lagorio, Gustavo Ramos and Fernando Moreira

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

The Urban Agriculture Programme (UAP) was launched by the Municipality of Rosario in 2002, amidst an unprecedented nationwide socio-economic crisis. This initiative marked an important step in further development of municipal policies and programmes towards supporting and strengthening this alternative production system.

Robert J. Holmer and Axel Drescher

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

The World Bank classifies the Philippines as one of the world’s fastest urbanising countries. Urban areas grew by 5 percent annually between 1980 and 2000. If this trend continues, an estimated 65% of the total population will be living in urban areas by the year 2020. Cagayan de Oro, one of the secondary cities located in the southern part of the country, has at present a population of about 600,000 with an annual growth rate of 4.4% compared to the 2.3% national average.

Paris Marshall Smith, Mohammed Junaid Yusuf, Urmilla Bob and Andreas de Neergaard

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

In an economically and racially segregated city, urban agriculture (UA) can be a tool for political and social transformation that modifies the physical structures by developing meeting grounds, linking areas and eliminating buffer zones. In transforming the physical spaces, UA can change the way people identify themselves and engage with one another. These are critical elements in the discussion of sustainable livelihoods and the alleviation of poverty.

Jiang Fang, Yuan Hong, Liu Shenghe and Cai Jianming

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

Apart from the traditional food production function, agricultural land use has been taking other functions in Beijing. Next to the ecological function and the role of agriculture in social security and employment generation, especially for migrants, Agrotourism in Beijing has made great progress in the last two decades.

Mubarik Ali, Hubert de Bon and Paule Moustier

In: UA Magazine No. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture

Urban and periurban agriculture with its multifunctional roles contributes in resolving many of the emerging issues of mega cities. In addition to its main function of supplying fresh food to growing cities, which itself has additional value to urban consumers, urban agriculture may give a respite to migrant agricultural labourers by engaging them in the activities they know best and rewarding them with income, especially when they cannot find other jobs in their early stage of migration.