Year 2016, Volume 1, Issue 2

Year : 2016
Volume : 1
Issue : 2
   
Authors : Maya MITEVA
Title : URBAN AGRICULTURE AS A PLANNING TOOL FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Abstract : Diminishing population process causes new spatial changes in the urban environment. Local authorities of depopulated settlements are facing the challenge of managing the existing urban infrastructure with decreasing consumers and tax incomes. The question is raised about how to ensure high quality of life of the remaining residents. According to the United Nations (UN, 2015), Bulgaria will lose 27.9 % of its population until 2050, as a comparison Japanese population will decline by 15.1%. The projections lead towards specific changes in urban planning practices and shift the focus from city development to city shrinkage. Hence, the implementation of urban agriculture as a tool for creating viable cities and sustainable local communities could be expected to ensure food security, social inclusion and employment. The study aim is to propose responses to shrinking phenomena and to discuss benefits of urban agriculture development for binding local communities. In order to achieve this aim, three objectives are set: (i) to identify research and practical experience in the field of urban agriculture in Japan; (ii) to analyse the Japanese local authorities approach in facing declining and aging population consequences; and (iii) to discuss its transferability to Bulgarian planning practice. Started in 2010 in Kashiwa city, Japan, Kashiniwa program is innovative local governance system for tackling vacant lots in shrinking cities. The case study method was chosen for researching the planning approaches developed and implemented in Japan, such as urban agricultural planning method for establishing and maintaining green open spaces and building sustainable local community.
For citation : Miteva, M. (2016). Urban agriculture as a planning tool for achieving sustainable urban development. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 1. Issue No. 2. pp. 61-68. DOI:10.7251/AGRENG1602061M
Keywords : urban agriculture, shrinking city, spatial planning, sustainable urban development
   
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