By 2050, it is projected that two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban and peri-urban areas, with an estimated 3 billion people potentially lacking adequate access to healthcare, energy, basic sanitation, and nutritious food (UN, 2018). In Brazil, 85% of the population currently lives in cities, and this percentage is expected to increase in the coming years (IBGE, 2015).

In this scenario, supporting agriculture in and around urban areas offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen the resilience of cities, the food and nutrition security, create income-generating opportunities for vulnerable populations, shorten the supply chain between producers and consumers, and provide environmental benefits.

Given these challenges, there is a growing expectation for governments to take a proactive role in shaping the urban food agenda. In addition to adopting an intersectoral approach to public policy design and institutional arrangements, it is essential for governments to lead in coordinating local stakeholders, fostering a collective vision for urban planning and territorial reconfiguration.

Municipal Agendas for Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture: A Guide to Integrate Agriculture into Urban Planning Processes

The report “Municipal Agendas for Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture: A Guide to Integrate Agriculture into Urban Planning Processes” was developed to address the demand from Brazilian municipalities for conceptual and methodological guidance. Beyond merely compiling existing literature and engaging with practices from various Brazilian cities, the Guide's central message emphasizes the potential of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to address multiple urban challenges. The report also indicates that the long-term benefits of UPA can be achieved if it is approached as a strategic priority, with a focus on gradual institutionalization and concurrent efforts to enhance and scale agricultural initiatives. This work was conducted by the Center for Sustainability Studies of FGV (FGVces), TEEB Agriculture and Food/UNEP, and the General Coordination for Support to UPA, under the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger (MDS).

The development of the guide followed a structured methodology across four key phases from May to November 2022:

1. Establishment of a Technical and Directive Committee, with thematic discussions between its 34 participants that represented national and subnational governments, organized civil society, and academic and research institutions.
2. A literature review with the purpose of synthesizing scientific knowledge on the topic.
3. Conducting semi-structured interviews with municipal managers to obtain valuable insights and practical experiences concerning UPA within the framework of Brazilian municipal governance.
4. A public consultation held in September 2022, which resulted in the integration of over 100 contributions into the final document.

Partnership

TEEB Agricultura & Alimentos / PNUMA
Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social, Família e Combate à Fome (MDS)
Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima (MMA)
Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário e Agricultura Familiar (MDA)
Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (MTE)