Where have all the farmers gone? Spatial-temporal transformations of peri-urban agriculture in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona
Urban expansion exerts pressure on peri-urban agriculture, leading to the displacement of agricultural activities and a loss of local food provision and vital ecosystem services. This study examines the spatial-temporal transformations of peri-urban agriculture in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona,...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona |
| Repositorio: | Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:uabarcelona_::2990b23dde2cd4bf472c25d709fd61c4 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://ddd.uab.cat/record/327294 https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.5751/ES-16730-310135 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Land use change Peri-urban agriculture Social-ecological-technological systems Sustainable transitions Urban resilience |
| Sumario: | Urban expansion exerts pressure on peri-urban agriculture, leading to the displacement of agricultural activities and a loss of local food provision and vital ecosystem services. This study examines the spatial-temporal transformations of peri-urban agriculture in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, a region that has experienced significant agricultural decline in recent decades. Employing a social-ecological-technological approach, we combine spatial analysis of land use changes from 2003 to 2015 with qualitative insights from interviews and workshops with stakeholders. Our results reveal that the decline of peri-urban agriculture in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona is driven by a complex interplay of social, ecological, and technological factors. Key drivers include real-estate speculation, land fragmentation, infrastructure development, and evolving land use policies, alongside ecological pressures from both land abandonment and environmental protection. Despite efforts to preserve agricultural spaces, the decline of peri-urban farming remains significant. We argue that a revaluation of agricultural activities in peri-urban areas is essential to alter and reverse this trend. Recognizing the multifunctionality of peri-urban agriculture, particularly its role in resilience and food system sustainability, is crucial. Our findings contribute to the broader discourse on urban resilience and sustainable land use planning, offering pathways for policy interventions aimed at preserving and enhancing peri-urban agricultural systems. |
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