[Public Voices] Urban Agriculture: Planting the Future of Cities

Expansion of Gardening Activities and Companion Plant Culture
A Key to Solving Structural Urban Challenges
Corporate Investment and ESG Integration Needed

April 11th is Urban Agriculture Day. It was officially designated as a legal commemorative day under the 'Urban Agriculture Act' in 2017. April is traditionally the time to start farming, and '11 (十一)' symbolizes soil (土). As the sunlight warms up, the enthusiasm for caring for green plants grows, and understanding this meaning makes one nod in agreement.

Recently, urban agriculture has been gaining attention as a strategy to address various problems faced by modern cities, such as environmental pollution, community disconnection, and food security. Gardening activities that involve touching soil and cultivating plants are the easiest and most effective ways to practice urban agriculture. Activities such as growing crops directly on apartment balconies, building rooftops, small vacant lots around homes and offices, and school gardens all fall under urban agriculture. According to a survey by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, 68% of citizens who operate gardens experience stress relief effects. This shows that nurturing nature within the city greatly contributes to emotional healing.

So, what is the economic impact of urban agriculture? An analysis of urban agriculture in 2023 from social, environmental, and economic perspectives estimated its value at 5.2 trillion won. Urban agriculture promotes health improvement and emotional stability by cultivating crops together and contributes to strengthening the bonds of local communities. Gardens can also serve as educational spaces where young children and future generations in elementary, middle, and high schools can learn about the value of natural ecosystems and nature. From an environmental perspective, rooftop gardens and vertical gardens increase green space, mitigate heat island effects and fine dust, and help restore biodiversity. Economically, it is expected to have potential as a future industry by promoting consumption of plant resources and various materials through experiential events, related industries, and job creation.

For the expansion of urban agriculture, corporate investment and citizen-led ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management are important. When private companies invest capital and technology to achieve positive effects on the environment (E) and society (S) and operate governance (G) transparently, the sustainability of the entire city is expected to be further strengthened. In fact, some companies actively support urban agriculture projects, creating cases of coexistence with local communities, thereby enhancing their social value and corporate image.

The recently spotlighted culture of 'companion plants' further extends the benefits of urban agriculture into daily life. Simply caring for plants on a small scale in indoor spaces allows participants to gain emotional stability and escape social isolation. These effects create opportunities for more citizens to naturally participate in urban agriculture. Going a step further, it also helps establish a virtuous cycle structure that expands green spaces within the city and enhances ecological sensitivity.

Urban agriculture has now become a powerful means to solve structural problems faced by cities and lead the future beyond a simple hobby. This year, on the occasion of Urban Agriculture Day, we hope that the potential of urban agriculture?from the small happiness brought by gardening activities to the macro achievements linked to ESG management?will be more actively realized in our society. If research institutions, private companies, and organizations cooperate and participate actively, urban agriculture will become a solid foundation that provides all of us with healthy, eco-friendly, and economically prosperous cities. When thinking about future cities, many people imagine 'gray, ashen landscapes.' Let’s plant a green future within the city. We look forward to the new tomorrow that urban agriculture will create.

Kim Myungsoo, Director of the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration