O campo na cidade: as hortas e os hortelões de Lisboa

Abstract

Agricultural production faces a complex situation related to the unsustainability of many intensive agriculture, biodiversity losses and the necessary compatibilisation of agriculture and nature conservation, increasing use of soils to produce biofuels, decreasing availability at world level of good agricultural soils, climatic contingencies. As a result, prices of agricultural products rise. Apparently the era of cheap food is over. Another important aspect concerns the consumer’s suspicions on the food quality and safety.

On the other hand, the rediscovery of the rural values is a reality. For many urbanites, farming activities after a working day is a gratifying experience with restorative or even therapeutical value. The symbolic dimensions of producing one’s own food is also an important aspect. In short, growing one's own food means increased security, health, and enjoyment.

As in many other parts of the world, the urban growth in Portugal is a relatively recent phenomenon and part of the urban population has a rural origin. They went to town some decades ago to find better paid jobs and improve their life conditions. Their rural memories are still very vivid and they feel the importance of working the land to produce part of their own food. In many cases, the increasing prices of food are also an important reason for the low-income population who are active urban and sub-urban part-time farmers.

Farming activities in Lisbon take place in intra-urban locations (private gardens, green public areas, unoccupied land in less dense residential areas, and still subsisting rural relicts) or in the peri-urban or sub-urban areas. Urban agriculture in the city of Lisbon, its types and actors are the object of this communication. The social characterisation of the urban farmers, their motivations and the importance of that self-production in relation to their food consumption are analysed.