A British study from the University of Surrey [51.5°N, 0.14°W] highlights the transformative potential of urban agriculture in advancing sustainability and addressing global challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and social inequality. Far from being a niche pursuit, urban farming encompasses activities like rooftop gardens, community greenhouses, and even aquaponics systems in city environments. The research provides a nuanced picture, showing both the positive impacts of urban agriculture on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the hurdles that must be addressed to maximise its benefits.
The Good News: Opportunities in Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture directly contributes to food security, providing safe, fresh, and nutritious produce to city dwellers, often reducing reliance on long, wasteful supply chains. The study also emphasises its role in biodiversity preservation and climate action, turning urban spaces into green havens that absorb carbon dioxide and improve air quality. Additionally, urban farms can boost community cohesion, offering shared spaces for learning and social interaction.
Notably, the research maps urban agriculture’s linkages to all 17 SDGs, with overwhelmingly positive associations for goals like Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Sustainable Cities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13). By turning unused urban spaces into productive ones, cities can combat food deserts, create green jobs, and enhance environmental resilience.
Tackling the Hurdles
However, urban agriculture is not without challenges. The study identifies four key hurdles: limited access to land for marginalised groups, potential soil and water contamination, high energy use in certain farming methods, and competition for scarce water resources. Addressing these barriers will require deliberate planning, innovation, and inclusive policies.
Realising the Potential
The authors argue that urban agriculture’s true potential lies in scaling up proven practices while ensuring they are sustainable and equitable. Examples include integrating urban farming into city planning, investing in technology to reduce energy use, and promoting education about sustainable practices. Policymakers and urban planners have a critical role to play in fostering this evolution.
By leveraging the opportunities and resolving the hurdles, urban agriculture can be a cornerstone of sustainable urban living, showing that cities are not just places of consumption but also hubs of resilience, innovation, and growth.
Source
Development of a holistic framework for sustainability measurement: A case study of the tea sector, Cleaner Production Letters (Elsevier), 2024-12
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