Economic, Social, Environmental, and Landscape Values of Urban Agriculture and its Contribution to the Sustainability of Cities
Authors
Emeritus. Prof. Dr. Sherif LUSHAJ, Faculty of Planning, Environment and Urban Management, POLIS University,
Abstract
Urban agriculture plays a significant role in the sustainability of cities by contributing to food
production, employment, and income generation through the cultivation of urban and peri-urban
land, as well as family gardens. The opportunities in this sector are substantial, with rural family
gardens also contributing significantly to large-scale agricultural and livestock production. Before
1990, rural family yards classified as “family gardens” covered an estimated surface area of 30,000
hectares, accounting for 27-35% of national fruit production, 47% of grape production, 23% of the
total number of fruit trees, and 74% of pergolas (high grapevines). Until 2014, Albania was divided
into 373 municipalities and communes. However, the adoption of Law No. 115/2014, “On the
Administrative-Territorial Division of Local Government Units in the Republic of Albania,”
reorganized the country into 61 municipalities. This new administrative division has increased the
availability of agricultural land in urban and peri-urban zones and fostered new urban-rural
relations that encourage the development of urban agriculture. It is estimated that the surface area
cultivated in family gardens within rural and peri-urban areas has doubled since 1990, particularly
in peri-urban zones. This article analyzes the available land resources for the development of urban
agriculture in Albania’s urban and peri-urban areas, highlighting its potential, opportunities, and
importance from economic, social, environmental, and landscape perspectives. It also emphasizes
the need for program development, the integration of urban agriculture in urban planning, and
assessment of food safety risks arising from industrial pollution to ensure sustainable urban growth.
Keywords
Urban agriculture, peri-urban areas, agricultural products, food safety, environmental risks
