Socio-environmental potential of Urban Agriculture in Fortaleza (CE): reflections from a case study in the Lagoa Redonda neighborhood

Abstract

Given the population growth and accelerated urbanization observed in the contemporary world, concerns regarding urban challenges and discussions on the socio-environmental sustainability of cities are increasing. In this context, urban agriculture and the complexity of its practices have been widely debated, showing that it is fundamental to deepen the knowledge about agricultural production in different urban centers to identify patterns, challenges, and potentials within the local context. Therefore, this case study aimed to investigate the socio-environmental potential of urban agriculture in the Lagoa Redonda neighborhood, located in the municipality of Fortaleza, Ceará. To this end, the exploratory research followed these methodological steps: (1) bibliographic and documentary review and (2) field visits. Through the study, it was concluded that urban agriculture in the neighborhood presents itself in a diverse manner, where unsustainable practices—driven mainly by adverse socioeconomic conditions—coexist with more sustainable initiatives that reveal promising paths for strengthening urban socio-environmental sustainability.