View article

The need to provide adequate food supplies for an estimated population of nine billion people in the near future, while reducing the agricultural footprint on the environment, will be one of the most critical challenges to be faced. To that course, scientists are looking for alternative ways to ensure sufficient food production, without relying on the intensification of conventional agriculture or land clearing. Urban agriculture, defined as the food-producing activity within or around the limits of an urban area, could be one way to increase food supplies, utilizing the already cleared spaces and areas.

Urban agriculture has multiple positive impacts on societies. To begin with, it provides food security to urban farmers and fresh goods to city markets, with little to no environmental impact regarding transportation. In addition, urban farming fosters social inclusion and improves gender equality, as it can be practiced by any resident regardless of their social status or gender. Finally, it is observed that air quality and biodiversity are improved, while city waste is reduced, in the areas where urban agriculture is applied. Despite the various ecological and social benefits of urban agriculture and a broad swift towards the implementation of sustainable and eco-living practices, urban agriculture remains unknown to the vast majority of people.