Bryggan till att förena människan med naturen – Stadsodling som ett verktyg att minska klyftan mellan natur och samhället i människors ögon

Sammanfattning

In light of much previous research concerning growing urbanisation and the view that humans and nature by definition are separate phenomena, this research operates on the assumption that this view is not beneficial for creating a more harmonious relationship between humans, society and nature. The aim of this research was therefore to examine how urban farming could contribute to a view of nature based on an understanding on how humans and nature impact each other. Furthermore, the research also viewed how engagement in urban farming and the relationship to nature could differentiate between men and women. This was done by interviewing 11 urban farmers from the areas around Malmö and Stockholm. A discourse analysis based on the websites for urban farms was used as a complementary method. There was an opinion amongst the participants that urban farming could create an understanding of nature's processes and its importance for a stable and sustainable environment, as well as an emotional connection to plants and other organisms. As an alternative approach, the results also showed that urban farming tends to attract people with this understanding of nature already. Concerning a difference between men and women, the answers from the informants indicated that men have a tendency to be underrepresented in urban farming. Within urban farming there was an observation from several of the informants that men tended to focus more on efficiency, while women were more concerned with a more environmentally friendly approach in some instances.