A cost-benefit analysis of applying urban agriculture in sustainable park design

Abstract

There are ideas that urban agriculture could assist in creating sustainable cities. However, little information is available on its financial benefits. Integrating Value Engineering (VE), Risk Management (RM) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques in this research improved the design and economical aspects of a city park based on urban agricultural development. This research was carried out on a part of Chehelbazeh Park in Mashhad, Iran. The base plan was designed based on conventional park design approach, and the proposed agricultural plan was designed by applying urban agricultural approach. In this study, based on the cost-benefit value index, the index of the base conventional plan was 0.86, which is considered uneconomic, and that of the proposed agricultural plan was 4.08. According to the results of this study, using urban agriculture in city landscapes can have high profitability and low risks. In general, VE, RM, and MCDM techniques can be used collectively as valuable tools in the design and maintenance of urban parks to achieve sustainability while making efficient use of the budget. The methodology of this study provides a decision-making framework for urban landscapes and can help policymakers, urban planners, and researchers on planning or designing urban parks in other countries. Also, it makes it easier for urban landscape managers and decision-makers to understand the importance of using fruit trees, vegetables, and other productive plants in urban landscaping.