Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Urban Planning/ Department of Urban Planning/ University of Tabriz/ Tabriz/ Iran
2 Department of Landscape Engineering Agricultural Faculty University of Tabriz
3 Department of the Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
Abstract
Objective
Edible parks are an innovative strategy for revitalizing urban agricultural lands and promoting the sustainable development of cities. As multifunctional green infrastructure, they have the potential to improve air quality, reduce the effects of urban heat islands, and enhance food security through the production of local food and the strengthening of social engagement. These spaces contribute to urban resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
Methods
This study utilized microclimatic simulation through ENVI-MET software, designed with three scenarios: bare land, agricultural land, and a combination of trees and crops in a large park at the urban agricultural site of Hokmabad. The simulation lasted 8 hours (from 10:00 to 18:00) on July 10, 2020, the hottest day of the year.
Results
The findings reveal that the edible park approach in this area, by preserving the structure of the study site, significantly reduced carbon dioxide concentrations—0.115 ppm in the agricultural land simulation and 2.69 ppm in the tree and crop combination scenario. Crop cultivation, on average, resulted in a reduction of 1.33 degrees in radiant temperature, while the combination of trees and crops reduced it by 10.26 degrees compared to bare land, marking a step toward urban climate improvement. Additionally, increasing vegetation in these spaces plays a crucial role in reducing environmental pollutants and enhancing urban air quality.
Conclusions
The results of this research demonstrate that integrating urban agriculture and developing edible parks, beyond meeting food needs, is an effective tool for improving cities' environmental and economic conditions. Edible parks not only serve as a solution to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization but also act as a driving force for sustainable urban development and the improvement of citizens' quality of life, offering a viable model for other cities to follow.
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