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Integrating Urban Agriculture and Stormwater Management in a Circular Economy to Enhance Ecosystem Services: Connecting the Dots

Author

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  • Tolessa Deksissa

    (Water Resources Research Institute, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

  • Harris Trobman

    (Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

  • Kamran Zendehdel

    (Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

  • Hossain Azam

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

Abstract

Due to the rapid urbanization in the context of the conventional linear economy, the vulnerability of the urban ecosystem to climate change has increased. As a result, connecting urban ecosystem services of different urban land uses is imperative for urban sustainability and resilience. In conventional land use planning, urban agriculture (UA) and urban stormwater management are treated as separate economic sectors with different-disconnected-ecosystem services. Furthermore, few studies have synthesized knowledge regarding the potential impacts of integration of UA and stormwater green infrastructures (GIs) on the quantity and quality of urban ecosystem services of both economic sectors. This study provides a detailed analysis of the imperative question—how should a city integrate the developments of both urban agriculture and stormwater green infrastructure to overcome barriers while enhancing the ecosystem services? To answer this question, we conducted an extensive literature review. The results show that integrating UA with GIs can enhance urban food production while protecting urban water quality. This paper provides an initial context and mechanisms for future researchers and city planners regarding the manner in which the synergies between UA and stormwater GIs can create greater value for the wellbeing of urban ecosystems and resilience in the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Tolessa Deksissa & Harris Trobman & Kamran Zendehdel & Hossain Azam, 2021. "Integrating Urban Agriculture and Stormwater Management in a Circular Economy to Enhance Ecosystem Services: Connecting the Dots," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-19, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8293-:d:600860
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    Cited by:

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    2. Goździewicz-Biechońska, Justyna & Brzezińska-Rawa, Anna, 2022. "Protecting ecosystem services of urban agriculture against land-use change using market-based instruments. A Polish perspective," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    3. Alicja Krzemińska & Anna Zaręba & Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas & Haifeng Jia & María Guadalupe Alpuche Cruz & Luis Antonio Valle Cordero, 2025. "Underground Food Farms as a Climate-Friendly Alternative Form of Urban Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-29, October.
    4. Renata Rapisarda & Francesco Nocera & Vincenzo Costanzo & Gaetano Sciuto & Rosa Caponetto, 2022. "Hydroponic Green Roof Systems as an Alternative to Traditional Pond and Green Roofs: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-27, March.
    5. Estenia Ortiz & Adriana Mayr Mejia & Emma Borely & Liam Schauer & Lena Young Green & Maya Trotz, 2025. "Can Reuse of Stormwater Detention Pond Water Meet Community Urban Agriculture Needs?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Walter Antonio Abujder Ochoa & Angela Gabriela Torrico Arce & Alfredo Iarozinski Neto & Mayara Regina Munaro & Oriana Palma Calabokis & Vladimir A. Ballesteros-Ballesteros, 2025. "Interlinking Urban Sustainability, Circular Economy and Complexity: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-26, August.
    7. Patricia Sanches & Fabiano Lemes de Oliveira & Gabriela Celani, 2021. "Green and Compact: A Spatial Planning Model for Knowledge-Based Urban Development in Peri-Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-22, December.

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