Peri-urbanisation and multifunctional adaptation of agriculture around Copenhagen

Abstract

Peri-urbanisation, as a process of the physical expansion of settlement areas but also socioeconomic transformation, has been recognised as a major spatial development beyond the urban fringes. Agriculture, the main land use actor in the hinterlands of many urban areas is increasingly affected by urban encroachment, responds with adaptation strategies and farming activities to cope with the peri-urban framework conditions. Adaptation pathways encompass specialisation into horticulture as well as enhanced environmental and lifestyle orientation of farming-typical elements of multifunctional agriculture. However, due to the heterogeneity of the periurbanisation processes also differences in farming transition are expected. Based on a differentiation into displaced-urbanisation, ex-urbanisation, anti-urbanisation and hidden-urbanisation as main types of peri-urbanisation, variances of farming responses are elaborated for municipal entities in the Copenhagen region in Denmark using statistical census data. Under consideration of location determinants, regression models have been applied to analyse the interrelationship between different peri-urbanisation processes and multifunctional farming activities. Findings confirm that the differentiation of peri-urban processes is meaningful for the explanation of spatial distribution of farm adaptation strategies, particularly in the case of leisure and environmental oriented farm practices.

Contributing to food security in urban areas: differences between urban agriculture and peri-urban agriculture in the Global North

“…Debates on the distinction between urban and peri-urban areas apply such thresholds as population density or settlement pattern (Piorr et al 2011). In order to distinguish UA from PUA, however, the geographical position of the fields alone (whether they are located within or beyond geographical borders of cities) seems to be inadequate.…”

“…They are described as the transition zone between urban and rural areas with, on the one hand, lower population densities and a lack of infrastructure compared to cities, and therefore not ''urban'', and on the other hand a limited amount of agricultural and natural land, and therefore not ''rural'' (Allen 2003;Piorr et al 2011). They suffer from urban pressures, but they also benefit from proximity to urban areas, markets and cultures, and are accordingly signified by a socio-cultural shift from rural to urban lifestyles (Antrop 2000;Piorr et al 2011). Peri-urban agriculture takes place in this transition zone.…”

Business models in urban farming: A comparative analysis of case studies from Spain, Italy and Germany

“…The variety of exploited commercial services connected to or close to agricultural production cover a wide range, such as agro-tourism (recreation, gastronomy), social support (education, therapy, health, caretaking), and further public and private services (maintenance, log work, winter road clearance) (Bailey et al, 2000;Beauchesne and Bryant, 1999;Busck et al, 2006;Heimlich and Barnard, 1992;Lohrberg and Timpe, 2011;Vogl et al, 2003;Zasada, 2011). Among others, horse services (Bailey et al, 2000;Elg�ker and Wilton, 2008;Quetier and Gordon, 2003;Zasada et al, 2011), education services, and care farming (Siebert et al, 2009;Van der Schans, 2010;Wiskerke, 2009) are frequently used by farms located in rather densely populated areas due to the presence of a large number of (possible) clients.…”

“…Herein, products with high added values, high transportation costs, freshness and high perishability, are characteristic for urban areas as proximity to customers possesses comparative advantages (Gardner, 1994;Heimlich and Barnard, 1992;Lohrberg, 2001;Mougeot, 1999;Zasada et al, 2011). Urban encroachment and comparable small areas of farmland in and around cities necessitate higher added values per farmland unit to maintain or enhance economic viability.…”

“…This is due, with few exceptions, to urban limitations not the business case for urban farms. The complexity of urban influences on farms and farming results in heterogeneous strategies and farm activities both at the city and agglomeration level, which is more pronounced than in rather rural areas (Brinkley, 2012;Busck et al, 2006;Gardner, 1994;Mougeot, 1999;Zasada, 2011;Zasada et al, 2011). Urban farming "has been identified as being more diversified, polarised and multifaceted than elsewhere" (Zasada, 2011, p. 640).…”