Peri-urbanisation and multifunctional adaptation of agriculture around Copenhagen

• Published in: Geografisk tidsskrift Vol. 111; no. 1; pp. 59 - 72
• Main Authors: Zasada, Ingo, Fertner, Christian, Piorr, Annette, Nielsen, Thomas Sick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kobenhavn Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2011; Det Kongelige Danske Geografiske Selskab
• Subjects: Bgi / Prodig; Europe; farm strategy; Human geography; post-productivism; regression model; Rural in-migration; Scandinavian States. Finland; spatial variation; urban-rural-relationship; Copenhagen; Denmark; Urban fringe; Multifunctionality; Periurban development; Post-productivism; Economic strategy; Agriculture; Regression analysis; Spatial variation; Rural-urban relations; Adaptation
• ISSN: 0016-7223; 1903-2471; 1903-2471
• DOI: 10.1080/00167223.2011.10669522

Geografisk Tidsskrift Danish Journal of Geography 111(1):59-72, 2011 Peri-urbanisation, as a process of the physical expansion of settlement areas but also socio-economic transformation, has been recognised as a major spatial development beyond the urban fringes. Agriculture, the main land use actor in the hinterlands of many urban areas is increasingly affected by urban encroachment, responds with adaptation strategies and farming activities to cope with the peri-urban framework conditions. Adaptation pathways encompass specialisation into horticulture as well as enhanced environmental and lifestyle orientation offarming-typical elements of multifunctional agriculture. However, due to the heterogeneity of the peri- urbanisation processes also differences in farming transition are expected. Based on a differentiation into displaced-urbanisation, ex-urbanisation, anti-urbanisation and hidden-urbanisation as main types of peri-urbanisation, variances of farming responses are elaborated for municipal entities in the Copenhagen region in Denmark using statistical census data. Under consideration of location determinants, regression models have been applied to analyse the inter-relationship between different peri-urbanisation processes and multifunctional farming activities. Findings confirm that the differentiation of peri-urban processes is meaningful for the explanation of spatial distribution of farm adaptation strategies, particularly in the case of leisure and environmental oriented farm practices.