The participation of urban residents in agricultural activities is spreading. Some of those activities are exemplified by growing vegetables or flowers in kitchen gardens or homes along with experiencing agriculture in the form of tourism agriculture or working on an educational farm. The joy of farming obtained from repeating such activities increases the understanding on agriculture. Furthermore, the number of cases of such activities develop into direct transactions or exchanges is increasing.
Urban agriculture includes various types, such as industrial agriculture, experience agriculture, educational agriculture, exchange agriculture and cyclic agriculture. The basic type of agriculture is ‘agriculture as an industry’, which provides fresh and safe produce to urban people. Second, experience agriculture allows people feel joy by experiencing agriculture. Third, educational agriculture is related to multi-functions of agriculture. Fourth, exchange agriculture enables exchanges between urban and rural areas or between urban people for agricultural experience or produce exchanges.
Multi-functions of urban agriculture based on various types include: 1) provision of fresh and safe produce; 2) leisure, recreational and emotional promotion; 3) opportunities to experience agriculture; 4) creation of aesthetic landscape in the area; 5) prevention of density in urban areas; 6) maintaining and succession of traditional culture related to agriculture; and 7) biodiversity.
For such reason, it is necessary to promote a sound development of urban agriculture to cope with the increasing agricultural demand of urban residents. The purpose of this study is to propose solutions capable of shaping favorable urban environments by virtue of providing urban residents with various chances of urban activities in consonant with promoting urban agriculture as an industry after identifying the current status of urban agriculture, the expected role of urban residents on agriculture, etc.
In general, consumers may be able to establish a system called 'the agriculture supported by citizens' by means of financial supports including volunteering for agricultural works. The stable transactions of fresh and safe agricultural products via the expansion of direct transactions and exchanges between consumers and producers may become an important means that will make cities and agriculture prosperous at the same time.
To solve the current problems such as the lack of farm supply and convenience facilities, we need to review a policy of lending a certain estate of farm to local governments so that local governments can add convenience facilities and lend it to citizens. Using farms in a various ways can heighten public awareness about urban agriculture and enhance the evaluation of values of multi-functions of conserving farms among the public. Further, it can create the effects of expanding exchanges and direct transaction.




Researchers: Kim, Tae-Gon, Heo, Joo-Nyung and Kim, Ye-Sol
Research period: 2012. 5. 16 - 2012. 9. 14.
E-mail address: taegon@krei.re.kr