Horsekeeping and the peri-urban development in the Berlin Metropolitan Region

Abstract

This article examines the increasing phenomenon of horsekeeping on farms in the Berlin urban fringe. Responding to a growing demand, the equine services became a relevant farming activity in peri-urban agriculture. Although very common in other metropolitan regions, there is only little empirical knowledge on the structure and dimension of the horsekeeping activity. This article assesses farmers’ perspectives on the agricultural environment and the contribution to peri-urban development. Potentials and approaches to support diversifying transition of agriculture, environmental protection, maintenance of cultural landscape and nature and the recreational capacity of the peri-urban landscape are explored. The analysis is based on data derived from a questionnaire survey among 59 horsekeeping farms in the case study area. Results confirm that the particular peri-urban conditions with its strengths and weaknesses are acknowledged by diversification activities taken by farms. The strategies taken resulted in four different horsekeeping farm types, varying in aims and intensification.