Mapping the future of urban agriculture: A GIS-based spatial framework for food equity

Abstract

Urban agriculture is an important tool in addressing the challenges of food security, environmental justice, and community resilience in urban areas. In line with the sound methods of GIS and geospatial analysis, this research far exceeds in exploring the complicated interlock of pivotal variables in determining strategic lands for urban agriculture in Birmingham (Alabama, USA). By integrating influential criteria, including land use, low access, low income, low vehicle ownership, unemployment, and obesity, suitability maps were developed for different census tracts using the Jenks optimization method and measures defined by the USDA and NTIA. Afterwards, by normalizing the criteria and reclassifying the maps, a suitability analysis was conducted, defining a suitability score under three scenarios: equally weighted, obesity-focused, and stakeholder-driven. Results showed that central Birmingham has the least access to fresh produce and the greatest need for expanded production. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis revealed that under the equally weighted scenario, 41% of Birmingham's population is classified as having a necessity higher than moderate. In contrast, it drops to 34% in the stakeholder-driven scenario and increases to 68% in the obesity-focused scenario. The study introduces a parcel-level, high-resolution spatial planning instrument to inform public policy at the intersection of sustainability, equity, and health, and to guide equitable urban agriculture interventions.

Publication Title

Sustainable Cities and Society

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