Developing Urban Agricultural Spaces: Opportunities and Challenges in Mekong Delta Cities

Tóm tắt

Urban agriculture (UA) is emerging as a key approach for developing sustainable, climate-resilient cities. The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest agricultural hub, offers favorable natural, cultural, and policy conditions for integrating agricultural spaces into urban areas. This study analyzes the theoretical foundations, examines representative UA models, and assesses their applicability in cities across the Mekong Delta. Results indicate the region benefits from land availability, favorable agroecological conditions, a workforce rooted in agricultural traditions, and a distinctive cultural identity. However, it faces significant challenges, including climate-change impacts, urbanization pressures, a shortage of skilled personnel, and fragmented policy frameworks. These findings provide an evidence base to guide the design and selection of context-appropriate strategies for developing urban agricultural spaces in the Mekong Delta.