The multifunctionality of urban horticulture and its integration with the city ecosystem: a brief review of concepts and the case of São Luís

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urban agriculture is currently carried out all over the world. The activity is characterized by its multifunctionality, contributing to food security, preservation of biodiversity, better use of urban spaces, and proper management of soil and water, in addition to contributing to increasing income and improving the quality of life of farmers who live in the cities. In the 1980s and 1990s, urban agriculture gained momentum on the international scene and, from 2005, in Brazil. Some successful experiences in the world (Detroit, Havana, and St. Petersburg) and in Brazil (Teresina, Sao Paulo, and Belo Horizonte) are briefly reported here. Then, we describe in more detail the case of the city of São Luís. The municipality is situated on an island and its rural spaces have characteristics of peri-urban areas. Agricultural production has low expression in municipal GDP (Gross Development Product). The main products are papaya, cassava, beans, bananas, coconut, and passion fruit and, among the vegetables, roselle, chives, coriander, and West Indian gherkin, traditional regional species of Maranhão cuisine. The activity has two primary groups of actors: producers and intermediaries, with 83 and 41% of them, respectively, living in rural areas. Almost all producers (92%) use their area, 79% use some sustainable fertilization practice, and 69% do not use pesticides. Production areas are small and producers need technical assistance. Transport and poor road conditions are the main challenges to bring products to the markets. The reality that came out from our study indicates the lack of public support to urban farmers in São Luís. On the contrary, successful experiences of urban agriculture have in common the convergence of public policies of urban planning, agriculture and supply, education, and health. Urban agriculture is dynamic and must be integrated into the urban ecosystem to make it possible to unveiling new perspectives on the countryside-city relationship.