Urban farming activity towards sustainable wellbeing of urban dwellers

3rd International Conference on Research Methodology for Built Environment and Engineering 2017

生态环境科学

Othman, N.^1 ; Mohamad, M.^2 ; Latip, R.A.^3 ; Ariffin, M.H.^1

Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam

40450, Malaysia^1

National Landscape Department, Kuala Lumpur

50400, Malaysia^2

Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam

40450, Malaysia^3

关键词: Data collection;    Economic security;    Gardening activities;    Health benefits;    Household income;    Natural environments;    On-site observations;    Questionnaire surveys;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/117/1/012007/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1755-1315/117/1/012007

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

In Malaysia, urban farming is viewed as a catalyst towards achieving the well-being of urban dwellers and natural environment. Urban farming is a strategy for Malaysia's food and economic security, and as one of the foci in the agriculture transformation whereby urban dwellers are encouraged to participate in this activity. Previous study proved that urban farming can help to address social problems of food security, urban poverty and high living cost, also provides leisure and recreation among urban dwellers. Thus, this study investigates the best urban farming practices suitable for urban setting, environment and culture of urban dwellers. Data collection was done via questionnaire survey to urban farmers of a selected community garden in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Meanwhile, on-site observations were carried out on gardening activities and the gardens' physical attributes. The study sample encompasses of 131 urban farmers of 22 community gardens in Subang Jaya. It was found that most of the community gardens practiced crops planting on the ground or soil base planting and dwellers in the lower income group with monthly low household income constitutes the majority (83.2%) of the respondents. Social and health benefits are the highest motivating factors for urban farmers. This study provides unprecedented insights on urban farming practices and motivations in a Malaysian setting.