Urbanization poses numerous challenges, notably regarding food security, sustainable development, and managing population growth. As urban areas expand, the traditional agricultural lands that once surrounded them are often consumed by development, significantly straining the ability to maintain adequate local food supplies. In response, urban farming has emerged as a vital sustainable solution. By integrating agricultural practices into urban environments, urban agriculture provides fresh, local produce and helps mitigate the environmental impact of long supply chains. This approach supports food security and contributes to the resilience and sustainability of urban communities, creating green spaces that enhance ecological and social well-being [1].

Problem Statement

Parañaque City, like many urban areas in developing countries, faces challenges of food scarcity and the need for sustainable urban development practices. The study focuses on urban farming as a potential tool to address food security and enhance local tourism, thereby contributing to economic development.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this research are:

• To evaluate the viability of urban farming in Parañaque City.
• To assess the impact of urban agriculture on local tourism.

Significance of the Study

This study's significance lies in its potential to influence local policies and urban planning, particularly in integrating sustainable practices into the development of metropolitan areas. It aims to provide actionable data to guide local governments and community planners in enhancing urban environments and quality of life.

Future research should explore the longitudinal impacts of urban farming and expand to comparative studies across different urban settings to validate the findings and refine policy recommendations.

Limitations of the Study

The study’s limitations include its focus on a single urban area and the potential non-representativeness of the survey sample.

METHODS

Research Design

This study employed a descriptive research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data from various stakeholders involved in or affected by urban farming initiatives in Parañaque City.

Participants

Participants included a diverse group of stakeholders, such as urban farmers, local tourism officials, and residents of Parañaque City, selected through purposive sampling to ensure a broad representation of perspectives.

Data Collection

Data were collected using structured survey questionnaires distributed both online and in person. The surveys included a range of question types, from multiple-choice to Likert-scale and open-ended responses, to gather comprehensive data on perceptions and experiences related to urban farming.

Data Analysis

Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to summarize demographic information and survey responses and inferential statistics methods to analyze better the relationships between urban farming perceptions and potential economic impacts on tourism. Specifically, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing were utilized to provide more robust and reliable conclusions.

RESULTS

Response Rate and Demographics

The survey yielded responses from 150 participants, with a demographic breakdown showing that most respondents aged between 18 and 35 indicated the younger urban population’s engagement with urban agriculture.

This Table 1 shows the age distribution of respondents in a survey about urban farming. The majority (50%) of respondents are young adults aged 18-25, indicating that the study primarily captured the views of younger urban dwellers. This age group is often more receptive to new ideas and innovations, which might explain a strong inclination towards urban farming. The next significant group (30%) is the 26-35 age bracket, which typically represents working adults who might be starting families and could have a vested interest in local food sources and sustainability. The smallest group (20%) is those aged 36 and older, who might bring more experience and possibly skepticism or traditional views towards new agricultural practices.

This Table 2 highlights the perceived benefits of urban farming among respondents, with a significant majority recognizing its positive impact. The highest agreement (85%) is that urban agriculture enhances food security, reflecting a solid community acknowledgment of its role in providing accessible, fresh, and affordable food. 80% of respondents acknowledge supporting the local economy, suggesting an awareness of the economic benefits that urban farms can bring, such as job creation and keeping money within the local area. Education about sustainability and agriculture through urban farming is recognized by 75% of the respondents, indicating its role in community learning and engagement.

Correlation analysis helps understand the strength and direction of the relationships between different variables. In this study, the correlation matrix provides insights into how the variables-Food Security, Local Economy, Education, and Age Group are related to each other (Table 3).

1. Food Security

Local Economy: The correlation coefficient is -0.072, indicating a weak and slightly negative relationship between perceptions of food security and the local economy. This means that as perceptions of food security improve, there is a slight tendency for perceptions of the local economy to worsen, although the relationship is very weak.

Education: The correlation is -0.013, indicating an almost negligible relationship between food security perceptions and educational benefits. This suggests that changes in perceptions of food security have no significant impact on perceptions of educational benefits.

Age Group: The correlation is 0.060, indicating a very weak positive relationship between age and food security perceptions. This suggests that older age groups might perceive better food security slightly, but the relationship is too weak to draw any firm conclusions.

2. Local Economy

Education: The correlation is 0.198, indicating a weak positive relationship. This suggests that individuals who perceive stronger local economic benefits from urban farming are also likely to perceive stronger educational benefits. Although the relationship is positive, it is not strong enough to predict one variable based on the other confidently.

Age Group: The correlation is -0.022, indicating a negligible negative relationship between age group and perceptions of local economy benefits. This suggests that age plays a small role in how respondents perceive the economic benefits of urban farming.

3. Education

Age Group: The correlation is 0.076, indicating a weak positive relationship. This suggests that older respondents might slightly perceive higher educational benefits from urban farming, but the relationship is too weak to be significant.

The correlations between these variables are generally weak, indicating that perceptions in one area (e.g., food security) do not strongly influence perceptions in another (e.g., local economy or education). The only moderately notable correlation is between the Local Economy and Education (0.198), suggesting that as perceptions of the local economic impact of urban farming improve, perceptions of its educational benefits also improve, though the relationship remains weak.

These weak correlations suggest that while some associations exist between perceptions of urban farming benefits, they are not strong or direct. Therefore, influencing one's perception (e.g., improving views on food security) is unlikely to strongly change perceptions in other areas (e.g., local economic benefits or education).

This analysis indicates that urban farming independently impacts various aspects of urban life, highlighting the multifaceted benefits of urban agriculture without one dimension (like food security) necessarily driving others (like education or economy) (Table 4).

Key Findings

The R-squared value is 0.046, indicating that the model explains about 4.6% of the variability in the perception of educational benefits.

The variable Local_Economy is statistically significant (p-value = 0.015), suggesting that perceptions of local economic benefits are positively associated with educational benefits.

The variables Age_Group_Num and Food_Security are not statistically significant in this model.

Hypothesis Testing

A chi-square test was conducted to examine the relationship between age group and perceptions of food security benefits. The results are as follows:

Chi-square statistic: 10.206

p-value: 0.251

The p-value is greater than 0.05, indicating that there is no statistically significant relationship between age group and perceptions of food security benefits.

DISCUSSION

Interpretation of Results

The data indicate a positive perception of urban farming, particularly among younger urban residents who may be more directly engaged with sustainability issues and local food production. The benefits identified suggest that urban agriculture is seen not just as a method of growing food but as a holistic approach to improving urban life by enhancing food security, supporting the economy, and educating the community.

Given the demographic skew towards younger individuals, these results indicate a shifting paradigm where younger generations champion sustainable urban development. This finding is essential for further discussion on how urban planning and policies can be shaped to support and expand urban agriculture initiatives to meet the needs and values of the urban populace.

The positive perceptions and potential economic benefits identified in the results align with existing literature that suggests urban farming can play a crucial role in urban sustainability and economic development.  Urban agriculture has been increasingly recognized for its multifaceted benefits to urban areas, including its potential to improve food security, enhance urban sustainability, and contribute positively to local economies. Research published by the United Nations Development Programme highlights that urban agriculture provides food and creates jobs, thus supporting sustainable urban development [2,3]. Similarly, Dimitri, Effland, and Conklin's study emphasize the economic benefits of urban farming, detailing how these practices can help stabilize local food systems and contribute to economic resilience [4,5].

Further studies have demonstrated the social and environmental benefits of integrating urban agriculture into city planning. Mougeot's extensive writings argue that urban farming is crucial for making cities more sustainable and resilient, offering food security and social benefits [6,7]. Drechsel and Graefe elaborate on this by discussing urban agriculture's role in building resilience in developing countries, pointing out its importance in urban planning and policy-making to address socio-economic challenges [8]. These sources underscore the growing recognition of urban farming as an integral element of sustainable urban development, emphasizing its role beyond agriculture, impacting economic stability and urban resilience.

Implications for Policy and Practice

These findings suggest that urban farming should be integrated into urban planning and development strategies, [9]. With potential policy implementations to support urban agriculture initiatives.

CONCLUSION

This research substantiates the effectiveness of urban farming in bolstering urban sustainability and enriching the local tourism landscape in Parañaque City. It underscores the necessity for robust policy frameworks and educational programs to harness urban agriculture's potential fully.

Urban farming presents a promising opportunity for advancing sustainability, boosting the local economy, and enhancing the tourism sector in Parañaque City. This calls for concerted policy initiatives and further research to effectively integrate urban agriculture into the city's development strategies.

Drawing from the insights gathered, several strategic policy recommendations can be formulated to embed urban agriculture seamlessly into urban planning and local development in Parañaque City. These recommendations are designed to maximize the advantages of urban farming, focusing on improving food security, promoting environmental sustainability, and stimulating tourism.

RECOMMENDATIONS

This study confirms the vital role of urban farming in enhancing urban sustainability, supporting the local economy, and augmenting the tourism sector in Parañaque City. The findings advocate for integrating urban agriculture into the city's strategic planning to maximize its benefits across multiple domains. To harness the full potential of urban farming, it is crucial to establish robust policy frameworks and educational initiatives that encourage sustainable practices, support economic growth, and enhance the city's attractiveness as a tourist destination. The successful implementation of these strategies requires comprehensive planning and dedicated efforts to ensure urban agriculture becomes a sustainable and integral part of Parañaque's urban development.

The proposed policy recommendations for enhancing urban farming in Parañaque City are designed to maximize its benefits across multiple sectors, including food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

 

1. Create Urban Agriculture Zones

Objective: To earmark areas within the city where urban farming activities can be concentrated.

Details: Utilize underused urban spaces like rooftops, vacant lots, and public lands for agricultural purposes. Implement zoning laws to protect these areas from being repurposed for non-agricultural uses, ensuring long-term stability for urban farmers.

Purpose: Ensures dedicated spaces for urban farming, making it a formal part of urban infrastructure.

Benefits: Increases local food production, enhances urban green spaces, and stabilizes local food systems.

2. Support Infrastructure Development

Objective: To provide the necessary infrastructure for efficient and sustainable urban farming practices.

Details: Invest in essential infrastructure such as water systems, greenhouses, and storage facilities. Offer financial incentives, such as subsidies or tax reductions, to install space-efficient farming technologies like vertical gardening and hydroponics.

Purpose: Reduces operational barriers for urban farmers and increases the productivity and sustainability of urban farms.

Benefits: Facilitates higher yields and year-round farming, reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.

3. Integrate Urban Farming into City Planning

Objective: To embed urban agriculture into the city’s overall developmental strategy.

Details: Incorporate urban farming considerations into the planning and execution of urban projects, ensuring that new developments support and integrate with urban farming initiatives.

Purpose: Makes urban farming a foundational element of urban development, ensuring its growth alongside the city.

Benefits: Ensures the sustainability of urban farming projects, aligning them with other urban services such as waste management and water resources.

4. Launch Education and Training Programs

Objective: To enhance the skills and knowledge of the community in urban agriculture.

Details: Collaborate with educational bodies, nonprofits, and community organizations to offer comprehensive training on modern urban farming techniques and organize workshops and seminars that promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Purpose: Educates the community, particularly young people, creating a knowledgeable base of future urban farmers and informed consumers

Benefits: Increases community engagement and empowers residents with the skills to initiate and maintain their urban farming projects.

5. Promote Urban Farming for Ecotourism

Objective: To leverage urban farming as a vital component of the local tourism industry.

Details: Develop tourist attractions that include urban farms, integrating them into local tour routes. Offer visitors hands-on experiences such as farm-to-table dining and educational tours.

Purpose: Positions urban farms as tourist attractions, adding a unique element to the city’s tourism offerings and promoting local produce.

Benefits: Enhances local tourism offerings with unique, sustainable attractions and promotes local produce.

6. Establish Public-Private Partnerships

Objective: To garner support from various sectors to bolster urban farming initiatives.

Details: Foster collaborations between the government, private sector, and community organizations to pool resources, expertise, and funding for the development and sustainability of urban farms.

Purpose: Leverages the strengths and resources of multiple sectors to support and sustain urban agriculture projects.

Benefits: Bring diverse expertise and investment, enhancing the scope and impact of urban farming projects.

7. Implement Incentives for Urban Farmers

Objective: To encourage more individuals and organizations to engage in urban farming.

Details: Provide financial incentives such as tax breaks, grants, or low-interest loans to those starting or expanding urban farming operations.

Purpose: Makes urban farming more attractive and financially viable for residents and entrepreneurs.

Benefits: Lowers the economic barriers to entry into urban farming, promoting broader participation.

8. Encourage Community Participation

Objective: To involve the community directly in urban farming activities.

Details: Initiate programs like "adopt a plot" or community gardening competitions to foster a sense of ownership and involvement among residents.

Purpose: Builds community cohesion and ensures broad community support and involvement in urban agriculture.

Benefits: Strengthens community ties, enhances local food security, and educates the public on sustainability.

9. Monitor and Evaluate Urban Farming Impacts

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of urban farming initiatives and their broader impacts.

Details: Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track urban farming projects' environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

Purpose: This policy allows for data-driven adjustments to urban farming policies and practices, ensuring they meet their goals and adapt to changing circumstances.

Benefits: Provides data to inform policy adjustments, highlights successful strategies, and identifies improvement areas.

10. Advocate for National Support

Objective: To secure support at the national level for urban farming projects.

Details: Engage in advocacy efforts to influence national policies and secure funding for urban agriculture.

Purpose: Secures broader support and recognition for urban farming, ensuring it receives the attention and resources necessary from higher levels of government.

Benefits: Enhances the scalability and sustainability of urban farming initiatives, integrating them into national food security strategies.

These detailed recommendations aim to transform urban farming into a cornerstone of Parañaque City’s urban development, ensuring it contributes effectively to sustainability, economic resilience, and community well-being.

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  Table 1
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  Table 2
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  Table 3
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  Table 4