Urban agriculture, a tool towards more resilient urban communities?

Abstract Urban agriculture is seen as having the potential to contribute to more sustainable and resilient urban communities, for its pivotal role in the implementation of circular economy strategies at the city level, closing energy and mass loops, while contributing to restore natural cycles and ecosystems’ environmental services. In addition, Urban agriculture can contribute to higher food sovereignty levels, and can be used as leitmotif to implement new education, participatory and citizenship strategies. There are nevertheless some problems in deploying urban agriculture, that has to do with the high level of pollutants in urban areas that may cause health problems if the pollutants enter the food chain. This paper discusses the risks and addresses the potential of urban agriculture for more sustainable and resilient cities.