Ryang, S;
(2016)
Can urban agriculture contribute to well-being? An analytical perspective.
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Can agriculture improve the lives of urban citizens and the urban environment? This research explores this question by examining the impacts of urban agriculture on the lives of citizens and their environments through the notions of well-being and alienation. A Eudaimonic perspective of well-being is based on the idea that people feel happy if they experience purpose, growth and challenges in their lives. From a eudaimonic perspective, psychological well-being can be understood as encompassing six dimensions: self-acceptance, personal growth, environmental mastery, positive relationships with others, purpose of life and autonomy. Discourse on alienation begins with four dimensions as proposed by Marx: alienation from products, product activities, species beings and other fellows. De-alienation is discussed in relation to the tradition of alienation theory, which is grounded in both an American socialist and a neo-Marxist interpretation. By analysing the impacts of urban agriculture through the perspectives of eudaimonic well-being and alienation, the study suggests a theoretical bridge between the two, whereby their associations with urban agriculture shape a type of farming for the purposes of achieving de-alienation. The importance of this study is not just to examine urban agriculture, but also to emphasize its importance, especially with regard to the well-being of the community wherein it is practiced. Urban agriculture is not a comprehensive solution to the issues facing the future of cities in developing countries; however, it is an essential part of any program seeking to make these cities more liveable and to improve the lives of city dwellers. This thesis finally explores an exemplary form of urban agriculture for psychological well-being and de-alienation from the following perspectives: -Large-scale farming through communal farming and planning -Ecologically friendly farming -Long-term projects associated with public health -Agricultural programs that enhance participants’ mastery of agriculture by ensuring autonomy and environmental mastery.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Can urban agriculture contribute to well-being? An analytical perspective |
| Event: | UCL (University College London) |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Development Planning Unit |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1475956 |
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