Nerea Morán Alonso

Pathways towards the integration of periurban agrarian ecosystems into the spatial planning system

IntroductionThe potential of periurban agrarian ecosystems is recognized as one of the cornerstones for improving urban sustainability; however, this potential has been disregarded in spatial planning and decision making. The main goal of the PAEc-SP project was to assess the feasibility of integrating periurban agricultural areas into spatial planning by developing a viable ecosystem services-based methodology.MethodsThe research unfolded along three axes: i) mapping ecosystem services in periurban areas, distinguishing between the current state and the future potential by applying a set of indicators; ii) analyzing the regulatory framework, identifying gaps in the consideration of agrarian ecosystem services; and iii) analyzing the perceptions of these areas held by local actors. Provisioning services (food) are widely recognized by actors and plans, but this leads to weak protection.ResultsCultural services (identity, recreation) are also recognized by all actors and addressed by local urban planning, though this is not connected to farming practices. Regulating services (CO2 storage, water quality) are barely addressed by spatial planning and actors do not value them either. Supporting services (biodiversity) are mostly associated with natural areas. Most technicians are reluctant to changes, while new farmers and civil society demand a new holistic approach.ConclusionThe reluctant attitude to change of some actors and the inadequate understanding of ecosystem services, render it imperative to adopt a comprehensive approach through a participatory process of urban planning. Mapping ecosystem services, calculations, and graphs are a valuable communication tool both in discussing the consequences of the loss of agrarian ecosystems with different actors and in planning future scenarios.

A desalambrar. Agricultura urbana, huertos comunitarios y regulación urbanística

La planificacion urbana en Sevilla ha disenado una ciudad contra el campo ignorando la agricultura urbana y periurbana. Pese a ello, la agricultura se mantiene viva en la ciudad y en las ultimas decadas no han dejado de emerger proyectos ciudadanos vinculados a la agroecologia. En estos proyectos la agricultura se muestra como una actividad multifuncional que se convierte en herramienta de empoderamiento para reclamar el derecho a la ciudad de grupos sociales habitualmente ignorados en el diseno y construccion de la ciudad. En torno a esta agricultura urbana agroecologica se construyen nuevos sujetos sociales que generan nuevas dinamicas de produccion y gestion social del habitat urbano, emergiendo nuevas voces y propuestas para un modelo alternativo de ciudad.