Coline Perrin

Peri-urban agro-ecosystems in the Mediterranean: diversity, dynamics, and drivers

To address sustainability challenges of agro-ecosystems located in Mediterranean urban regions, this paper focuses on the multidisciplinary subject of urban agricultural systems. To better understand the diversity and dynamics of peri-urban agro-ecosystems and the main drivers of their sustainability, we compare six case studies located in Southern Europe (Montpellier, France; Pisa, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; Athens, Greece) and the Maghreb (Constantine, Algeria; Meknes, Morocco). The research is based on fieldwork in each urban region (qualitative analysis) and literature analysis aimed to position each case study in its national and Mediterranean contexts. The comparison between local contexts indicates large discrepancies in the integration of environmental focus among the respective urban planning objectives. Generally, urbanization tends to accentuate agricultural diversity. The different forms of peri-urban agriculture evolve despite their persistent decline, and they also show a capacity to resist and even new growth in response to urban demand.

Regulation of Farmland Conversion on the Urban Fringe: From Land-Use Planning to Food Strategies. Insight into Two Case Studies in Provence and Tuscany

In the literature on urban sprawl, few studies have looked at possible connection between effective protection of agricultural land and urban or community food strategies. Our case studies in Provence and Tuscany show that planning prescriptions and land-market control are insufficient to protect farmland on the urban fringe if regulatory approaches are not integrated into a global strategy for agriculture and food based on community involvement. Farmland protection policies are more effective if they combine top-down policies with bottom-up initiatives and if they recognize the multifunctional character of urban agriculture, especially with processed goods such as wine or olive oil.

Role des acteurs publics dans l’emergence de strategies agricoles des villes. Exemples en mediterranee

L’article s’interroge sur le role des politiques publiques et des acteurs publics dans l’emergence de strategies agricoles des villes. Deux echelles d’analyse sont privilegiees : l’effet de cadrage des politiques publiques aux echelles nationales et internationales et les formes de gouvernance mises en place a l’echelle locale. L’analyse s’appuie sur une comparaison des dynamiques dans cinq regions urbaines de Mediterranee (Constantine, Lisbonne, Meknes, Montpellier, Pise). L’etude montre que les politiques publiques jouent un role variable dans l’emergence de strategies agricoles urbaines ; les referentiels qui les sous-tendent peuvent les favoriser ou les contraindre. L’approche comparative met en evidence le role significatif de l’europeanisation des politiques publiques et du paradigme du developpement durable dans l’emergence de ces strategies. Les initiatives et les formes de gouvernance developpees a l’echelle locale s’averent egalement determinantes. Les configurations sont ici tres diverses. Les acteurs publics peuvent etre initiateurs, facilitateurs ou recuperateurs de ces innovations territoriales.