Impacts of multi-functionality of urban agriculture on the creative classes in global mega city: focusing on Shanghai in China

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationships among multi-functionality of urban agriculture, the creative classes (CCs) and social capital Shanghai in China. To verify our three hypotheses, we introduced two methodologies of spatial econometrics analysis and structural equation modeling using published statistical data and authors’ original questionnaire survey data targeting at the residents in Shanghai City. Firstly, “The CCs prefer MFA more than non-CC as well as the TC (thinking creatively) more than non-TC” (H1) was verified in the case of Shanghai mega region, and that those who were thinking creatively both in CCs and non-CC preferred MFA more than the others was verified in the case of Shanghai City. Secondly, “The CCs have a high level of social capital” (H2) was also verified. However, “The CCs prefer diversified lifestyles” (H3) could not be verified directly in the case of Shanghai City, because the CCs (both creative occupation and thinking creatively) prefer the same lifestyle of ‘self-actualization’. Finally, to realize an efficient, inclusive and sustainable urbanization, policy implication drawn from the research encourages the city leaders to pay more attention to the multi-functionality of urban agriculture on the effects of attracting the residence of CCs (both creative occupation and thinking creatively).