Pathways towards the integration of periurban agrarian ecosystems into the spatial planning system

Abstract

Introduction: The potential of periurban agrarian ecosystems is recognized as one of the cornerstones for improving urban sustainability; however, this potential has been disregarded in spatial planning and decision making. The main goal of the PAEc-SP project was to assess the feasibility of integrating periurban agricultural areas into spatial planning by developing a viable ecosystem services-based methodology.

The geography of urban agriculture: New trends and challenges

“…The first question is, which perspective is more feasible to apply specifically in peri-urban spaces or simply the city fringes -urban-centric ones or perspectives from rural/ agricultural geography, considering the fact that these spaces are under development pressures and they experience conflicts between different land uses (Wästfelt and Zhang, 2016), or to overcome both of them and grasp them as a ´third space´, drawing new synergies between the urban and rural processes and features (Fanfani, 2006in Fanfani, 2013. A big challenge rests on the integration of peri-urban agriculture into spatial planning with respect to its potential for improving ecosystem services, cultural heritage, urban sustainable development and implementation of new, participatory forms of land use planning Simon Rojo et al, 2014;Grete Swensen and Jerpåsen, 2008). In this respect, the concept of agricultural parks has been discussed, being developed and applied in several European peri-urban areas, including the first "swallows" in the Czech Republic (Fanfani, 2013;Roth et al, 2015;IPR, 2015).…”

Local Perceptions of Ecosystem Services Across Multiple Ecosystem Types in Spain

“…This finding has also been documented by studies conducted in the community homegardens of Barcelona (Spain), where cultural ES were salient due to their high social importance [25,58,59]. Ecological restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes and woodlands in urban areas and agroecosystems in periurban areas, has been proven to be not only ecologically and socially desirable but also quite often economically advantageous [60,61].…”

Multiple evaluation of urban and peri-urban agriculture and its relation to spatial planning: The case of Prato territory (Italy)

“…Based on agroecosystems and as a result of well managed practices Power (2010), UPUA also influences supporting services (like biodiversity, connectivity), regulating services (climate, water and carbon cycle etc.) (Simon Rojo et al, 2014) and cultural opportunities, especially multifunctional agriculture (Zasada, 2011;Brinkley, 2012) via agrotourism and education. Except the last one, these will be the subject of further analysis in this study.…”