도시농업의 다원적 기능과 활성화 방안 연구

Abstract

도시농업의 높은 관심에 대응하여 국가는 2011년 ‘도시농업의 육성 및 지원에 관한 법률’을 제정하여 제도적인 기반을 마련하였다. 지방자치단체는 조례로 다양한 서비스를 제공하고 농촌진흥청이나 농업기술센터는 각종 교육과 자재 등을 공급하며, 시민단체도 다양한 활동을 전개하고 있다.

도시 주민이 농업에 대한 관심을 가지는 배경에는 소득의 증가, 여가활동이나 체험에 대한 욕구의 증가, 도시 과밀에 의한 피로누적 등이 있다. 도시농업이 확산됨에 따라 농업에 대한 참여와 관심이 증대하고 농업의 다원적 기능에 대한 인식이 확대된다.

도시농업에 대한 사회적 관심은 증가하는 반면에 도시농업의 참여기회, 관련 인프라 정비, 이용자의 의식 등에서 개선의 여지가 많이 있다. 도시농업은 지가상승으로 인한 농지확보의 어려움이 있고, 환경규제와 같은 많은 제약이 상존하고 있다.

도시민의 농업활동으로 다원적 기능과 농업에 대한 인식 전환 및 공동체 유지 수단으로 도시농업은 부각되고 있다. 이 연구는 도시농업의 실태와 도시민의 의향 등에 근거하여 다원적 기능에 대한 가치를 평가하고 도시농업 활성화를 위한 과제를 제시하는 것이 목적이다.

The participation of urban residents in agricultural activities is spreading. Some of those activities are exemplified by growing vegetables or flowers in kitchen gardens or homes along with experiencing agriculture in the form of tourism agriculture or working on an educational farm. The joy of farming obtained from repeating such activities increases the understanding on agriculture. Furthermore, the number of cases of such activities develop into direct transactions or exchanges is increasing. Urban agriculture includes various types, such as industrial agriculture, experience agriculture, educational agriculture, exchange agriculture and cyclic agriculture. The basic type of agriculture is ‘agriculture as an industry’, which provides fresh and safe produce to urban people. Second, experience agriculture allows people feel joy by experiencing agriculture. Third, educational agriculture is related to multi-functions of agriculture. Fourth, exchange agriculture enables exchanges between urban and rural areas or between urban people for agricultural experience or produce exchanges. Multi-functions of urban agriculture based on various types include: 1) provision of fresh and safe produce; 2) leisure, recreational and emotional promotion; 3) opportunities to experience agriculture; 4) creation of aesthetic landscape in the area; 5) prevention of density in urban areas; 6) maintaining and succession of traditional culture related to agriculture; and 7) biodiversity. For such reason, it is necessary to promote a sound development of urban agriculture to cope with the increasing agricultural demand of urban residents. The purpose of this study is to propose solutions capable of shaping favorable urban environments by virtue of providing urban residents with various chances of urban activities in consonant with promoting urban agriculture as an industry after identifying the current status of urban agriculture, the expected role of urban residents on agriculture, etc. In general, consumers may be able to establish a system called 'the agriculture supported by citizens' by means of financial supports including volunteering for agricultural works. The stable transactions of fresh and safe agricultural products via the expansion of direct transactions and exchanges between consumers and producers may become an important means that will make cities and agriculture prosperous at the same time. To solve the current problems such as the lack of farm supply and convenience facilities, we need to review a policy of lending a certain estate of farm to local governments so that local governments can add convenience facilities and lend it to citizens. Using farms in a various ways can heighten public awareness about urban agriculture and enhance the evaluation of values of multi-functions of conserving farms among the public. Further, it can create the effects of expanding exchanges and direct transaction.

Researchers: Kim, Tae-Gon, Heo, Joo-Nyung and Kim, Ye-Sol Research period: 2012. 5. 16 - 2012. 9. 14. E-mail address: taegon@krei.re.kr