15 Multifunctional Urban Landscapes: The Potential Role of Urban Agriculture …
297
2011). Added value is generated by creating leisure activities to enhance physical and
mental health, promoting general health and well-being (RUAF Foundation, Piorr
et al. 2018). As an element of sustainable land management, therefore, urban gardens
make an important contribution to neighbourhood development. The result is a “new
sense of community, prospects for shaping one’s own life; and gardening encourages
participants to become more deeply engaged in the neighbourhood” (BBSR 2015,
5; translated by authors). UA also makes a contribution to practical environmental
education by enabling individuals to experience first-hand how food is produced
(Gahm 2017; Appel et al. 2011). In that regard, UA induces a change in consumer
behaviour, one that is more sustainable, because it enables passive consumers to
become co-producers of food (Santo et al. 2016).
15.3.2 Ecological Functions and Services
UA increases the heterogeneity of urban land uses, contributing to the urban
ecosystem (Sanyé-Mengual et al. 2018; Artmann and Sartison 2018). The additional
vegetation grown increases biodiversity in urban spaces. In addition, inner-city urban
gardens may help to balance the temperature and reduce heat islands (Santo et al.
2016). The fresh air produced also helps improve air quality (BMUB 2015). Moreover, UA generates new infiltration areas. After all, sealed brownfield sites are often
converted into land for UA, which has a positive impact on the groundwater and on
flood protection (Santo et al. 2016; Piorr et al. 2018). UA may also help to reduce
waste by recycling organic waste and waste water as part of the urban material cycle
or urban metabolism (Roggema 2016; de Zeeuw 2011). In general, the ecological
functions described may make cities more resilient to climate change and, at the same
time, contribute to mitigate climate change (Piorr et al. 2018; Santo et al. 2016). This
is also achieved because local food production reduces transport distances – referred
to as food miles – as well as the energy consumption involved, e.g. for cooling food,
reducing the overall level of pollutant emissions (Piorr et al. 2018; Pearson et al.
2010).
15.3.3 Economic Functions and Services
First of all, UA performs economic services with respect to urban farmers and
gardeners because food is grown, easing the financial burden on households. Farmers
and gardeners either sell produce to this end, or consume it themselves (RUAF Foundation). However, the emphasis on subsistence is less important in post-industrial
nations of the Global North. In these countries, economic advantages can be generated
instead by developing business strategies tailored specifically to the framework conditions of urban spaces (Piorr et al. 2018). As such, UA may generate jobs and create
employment opportunities in the local value chains (Santo et al. 2016). Furthermore,
297
2011). Added value is generated by creating leisure activities to enhance physical and
mental health, promoting general health and well-being (RUAF Foundation, Piorr
et al. 2018). As an element of sustainable land management, therefore, urban gardens
make an important contribution to neighbourhood development. The result is a “new
sense of community, prospects for shaping one’s own life; and gardening encourages
participants to become more deeply engaged in the neighbourhood” (BBSR 2015,
5; translated by authors). UA also makes a contribution to practical environmental
education by enabling individuals to experience first-hand how food is produced
(Gahm 2017; Appel et al. 2011). In that regard, UA induces a change in consumer
behaviour, one that is more sustainable, because it enables passive consumers to
become co-producers of food (Santo et al. 2016).
15.3.2 Ecological Functions and Services
UA increases the heterogeneity of urban land uses, contributing to the urban
ecosystem (Sanyé-Mengual et al. 2018; Artmann and Sartison 2018). The additional
vegetation grown increases biodiversity in urban spaces. In addition, inner-city urban
gardens may help to balance the temperature and reduce heat islands (Santo et al.
2016). The fresh air produced also helps improve air quality (BMUB 2015). Moreover, UA generates new infiltration areas. After all, sealed brownfield sites are often
converted into land for UA, which has a positive impact on the groundwater and on
flood protection (Santo et al. 2016; Piorr et al. 2018). UA may also help to reduce
waste by recycling organic waste and waste water as part of the urban material cycle
or urban metabolism (Roggema 2016; de Zeeuw 2011). In general, the ecological
functions described may make cities more resilient to climate change and, at the same
time, contribute to mitigate climate change (Piorr et al. 2018; Santo et al. 2016). This
is also achieved because local food production reduces transport distances – referred
to as food miles – as well as the energy consumption involved, e.g. for cooling food,
reducing the overall level of pollutant emissions (Piorr et al. 2018; Pearson et al.
2010).
15.3.3 Economic Functions and Services
First of all, UA performs economic services with respect to urban farmers and
gardeners because food is grown, easing the financial burden on households. Farmers
and gardeners either sell produce to this end, or consume it themselves (RUAF Foundation). However, the emphasis on subsistence is less important in post-industrial
nations of the Global North. In these countries, economic advantages can be generated
instead by developing business strategies tailored specifically to the framework conditions of urban spaces (Piorr et al. 2018). As such, UA may generate jobs and create
employment opportunities in the local value chains (Santo et al. 2016). Furthermore,