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What Motivates Urban Dwellers to Engage in Urban Farming?

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  • Bixia Chen

    (Department of Subtropical Agro-Production Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
    The Tropical Field Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

  • Kazuna Miyagi

    (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

  • Tomoyuki Namihira

    (Department of Subtropical Agro-Production Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
    The Tropical Field Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

  • Daiki Kayano

    (The Tropical Field Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

  • Mika Aragaki

    (The Tropical Field Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

  • Shiori Suzuki

    (The Tropical Field Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan)

Abstract

Urban farming provides diverse benefits to cities and their residents, including access to fresh food, increased food security, healthy dietary habits, improved physical and mental health, increased green spaces, and climate regulation. Urban attitudes and perceptions play crucial roles in urban farming development. However, despite the recent interest in urban farming, studies on the profiles and perceptions of urban farmers are lacking. This study aimed to clarify the motivations of urban gardeners, features of urban farmers, and differences in motivations between urban and non-urban farmers. We used Japan as a case study to add to the knowledge of a developed Asian country regarding the challenges that society faces. Approximately one-third of the respondents practiced urban farming, while one-sixth wanted to try it. Most urbanites practiced farming around their houses or apartment buildings. The benefits of urban farming considered by Okinawan respondents were safe and fresh food, health improvement, and green spaces, which were not significantly different from those in other regions. Respondents older than 50 were more likely to engage in urban farming than younger people. The respondents did not appreciate the social benefits of urban farming, which was inconsistent with the results from other regions worldwide; this may be because most participants were home gardeners, and only a few were allotment gardeners. Challenges in the development of urban farming include the unavailability of urban farming knowledge and of allotment gardens, and negative environmental influences on neighborhoods. This research is the first to report on the motivations of urban farmers in Japan. It fills a gap in the pertinent knowledge of highly urbanized and super-aging societies worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Bixia Chen & Kazuna Miyagi & Tomoyuki Namihira & Daiki Kayano & Mika Aragaki & Shiori Suzuki, 2024. "What Motivates Urban Dwellers to Engage in Urban Farming?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6876-:d:1453837
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Daisuke Machida, 2019. "Relationship between Community or Home Gardening and Health of the Elderly: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-15, April.
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    4. Sirinya Phulkerd & Sasinee Thapsuwan & Rossarin Soottipong Gray & Aphichat Chamratrithirong, 2020. "Characterizing Urban Home Gardening and Associated Factors to Shape Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Non-Farmers in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Masashi Soga & Daniel T. C. Cox & Yuichi Yamaura & Kevin J. Gaston & Kiyo Kurisu & Keisuke Hanaki, 2017. "Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening: Improved Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Social Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, January.
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