Integration of Urban Agriculture into Spatial Planning, 2009

Abstract

The benefits of urban and peri-urban agriculture in the cities and towns of subSaharan Africa (SSA) are well recognized across a number of development challenges, including poverty alleviation, environmental conservation and redressing the negative impacts of urbanization. The benefits are appreciated at the local level by authorities and farmers, such that involvement in urban agriculture is increasing. For example, it is estimated that in Tanzania at least 30 per cent of the total urban residents practice urban agriculture as one of their primary livelihood strategies (URT, 2003). In Dar es Salaam, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 1998) reports that one out of five (i.e. 20 per cent) residents in the city are engaged in urban agriculture. The local government reform report of 1998 noted that more people were engaged in urban agriculture than in the formal employment sector. This has not come about by chance, but rather by the intent and activities of urban residents who, despite at times an unsupportive policy environment, have turned to urban agriculture as a means of livelihood. This demonstrates that it is a viable and valuable occupation for urban dwellers, and that, consequently, land-use planning authorities need to make provision for urban agriculture, especially during the spatial planning process to ensure that there is sufficient land and in suitable locations.