We are pleased to announce the publication of the project's latest textbook with guidelines for the development and implementation of an action plan.

In the last years urban agriculture has become an important topic especially due to the possibility of innovative solutions related to the recent social, economic, and environmental challenges of cities.

Urban agriculture is a broad term which can be shortly defined as the growing of plants and the raising of animals on urban and peri-urban land. It is characterised by heterogeneity of involved actors, dimensions, backgrounds and objectives on the one hand, and by multifunctional external effects for the urban economy, society, and environments on the other hand.

The publication entitled »Approaching urban agriculture as a social innovation« addresses urban agriculture as a process of social innovation in order to integrate participatory mechanisms into decision-making processes, increase the social inclusion of the poor and disadvantaged segments of society, and stimulate the liveability of cities.

More specifically, the publication offers guidelines for the development and implementation of action. Recently, there has been a significant disconnect between those who drive and organize urban agriculture and those who regulate and manage it. Without any formal support, urban agriculture has mostly been a bottom-up process, typically initiated by individuals or non-governmental organisations rather than by governments and urban planners. By following the steps in the book chapters, it is possible to improve the capacities of public administrators to involve relevant stakeholders and civil society into governance and public participation through the means of urban agriculture.

Given the important role that urban agriculture can play from a livelihoods and social cohesion perspective, this publication helps to answer how to support and mainstream urban agriculture as a strategy that could be used not only as reaction in times of crises but also as a livelihood strategy that can enhance the resilience and sustainability of urban areas and populations. Furthermore, the new publication introduces types of systemic planning tools which are available to integrate planners, practitioners, and civil society in a process of joint learning that can effectively guide the development of urban agriculture.

You can download the publication here . 

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