O desenvolvimento sócio-espacial da agricultura urbana e periurbana (aup) na cidade de Fortaleza: entre a prática popular e o planejamento urbano

Abstract

The main objective of the present study is to analyze the institutionalization process of the Urban and Periurban Agriculture (UPA) agenda in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. On the one hand, UPA can be understood as a popular practice that has been historically carried out in a marginal and invisible manner, mostly through the effort of low-income peripheral families. On the other hand, there’s a recent recognition of the subject within public agendas as a strategy for the development of environmentally and socially more sustainable cities. In Fortaleza, it is possible to identify some recent government iniciatives focused on UPA such as the development of projects, but also the incorporation of the issue into the instruments of urban planning and urban development of the city. Within this empirical investigation, it will be sought to conclude whether these initiatives have provided the socio-spatial development of the spontaneous and popular practices. As main methodological procedures, bibliographic and documentary research, survey of primary and secondary data, document analysis and interviews with governmental and non-governmental institutions involved with the issue of UPA were carried out. The obtained results show that agricultural practices in Fortaleza still have indeed a strong expression, mainly the ones associated to horticultural production, whose commercial purpose is highlighted throughout the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (MRF). However, these spatialities remain unrecognized at the institutional level, which causes them to face a series of difficulties for their reproduction. Despite the recent efforts of the local municipality to undertake some institucional experiences, as well as to create legal and institucional frameworks that bring a wider perspective of the UPA, these attempts have proved to be ineffective to modify the reality of the productive spaces of the city. The biggest reflection of this situation is the process of extinction of these spatialities, which has been observed quite intensely in the last 10 years. Thus, it cannot be said that local government iniciatives in Fortaleza have led to the sociospatial development of UPA.