Urban agriculture experiences in providing sustainable urban development, "Suggestions for Turkey"

The vast majority of the world's population lives in Cities today. Global, national and local policies fail to meet the expectations of people who migrate to cities with various expectations. It is a known fact that natural resources are limited and the bad results of rapid urbanization are irreversible. The maintenance of the ecological balance is constantly ignored. An economically viable urban food system and an ecological and biological based urban model to focus on the health of people living in the city lies on the basis of sustainable Cities. Urban agriculture has a wide area that serves different purposes with its unique characteristics. Basically, urban agriculture is based on the idea of carrying out agricultural activities within the city. Urban agriculture makes significant contributions to urban sustainability in terms of solutions to problems related to urban management, urban development, agriculture and environment. Urban agriculture stands out because of its ability to reduce food insecurity, increase food accessibility and sovereignty, strengthen communities, promote economic development and create more environmentally, healthier, more powerful and more sustainable cities. The aim of this study is ensure the integration of agriculture with the city to tackle the problems arising from rapid population growth and irregular urbanization in an ecological way, to ensure human health, environmental health, food safety, urban aesthetics, social integration and urban sustainability. Within the scope of this study, urban agriculture practices, urban agriculture policies and legal regulations worldwide are examined. Typology of urban agriculture proposals in Turkey were determined in line with successful country practices that stand out at the international level. Urban agriculture strategy has been developed in Turkey within the framework of international exemplary policies and legal regulations.