Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Title: Urban farming- To what degree can Malmö compensate for destroying
arable land
Seminar date: 2022-03-xx
Course: EX0845: Bachelor thesis in Landscape architecture,
Undergraduate Level, 15 Credits
Advisor: Love Silow
Authors: Izabelle Borg Nilsson, Madeleine Funck
Keywords: Urban farming, sustainability, urbanization, agriculture
Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is that through qualitative research contribute
the reader with information about how and if cities can compensate for the arable
land it uses for expanding and urbanization and if it can be done through urban
farming. Furthermore, we intend to investigate if and what urban farming can
offer a city.
Methodology: The thesis has a qualitative approach where the empirical findings
have been collected through three semi-structured in-depth interviews.
Theoretical perspectives: The thesis is mainly based on theory from several
research papers about self sustainable cities.
Conclusions: In this thesis after collecting information both through literature and
interviews we have come to the conclusion that it is difficult for cities to
compensate for the destruction of arable land. Urban farming cannot be compared
to arable land, but brings many positive aspects to the city anyway. Cities can
compensate the destruction of arable land to some degree in various ways, but
only to a small extent. Urban farming can not in its current form produce enough
to make a city self-sustained on vegetables but it can cover if one is optimistic
around 20% of its consumption and it could have covered it fully if the cities
made major investments and restructures. But after discussing it with city officials
it seems to be an unlikely scenario since other areas of interest would be given
priority.