Driving sustainable urban development: Exploring the role of small-scale organic urban agriculture in Bogotá, Colombia: A case study

Abstract

The ongoing climate crisis, coupled with contemporary factors, starkly underscores the global vulnerability of food systems and the pressing need for adaptive approaches. Urban agriculture emerges as a multifaceted remedy for production, sustainability, and communal well-being. This study probes the role of small-scale organic urban agriculture in driving sustainable urban development through a focused case study. Essential markers of sustainable agro-production effectiveness take center stage. The research scrutinizes yield and productivity within a rooftop agri-food framework spanning eleven months. A collective of 336 vegetables were reaped, yielding an impressive 82.1% relative yield. Standout performers, including lettuce, arugula, and mizuna, achieved a relative yield of 4.1 kg/m2, comfortably situated within the 2.1–16 kg/m2 spectrum. This yield potential remains sensitive to intricate agronomic and environmental variables. The innovative potential extends to conferring food autonomy upon 11,553 families via 432 projects within Bogota. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of small-scale organic urban agriculture as a viable approach to sustainable development in urban areas. The results contribute to the existing knowledge on yield and productivity indicators in sustainable agro-production systems, providing valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and public and private organizations.