Community participation in Urban Agriculture (UA): does stakeholder collaboration enhance empowerment?

Urban agriculture (UA) is recognised as a solution to urban food insecurity and a driver of economic development. Success of UA initiatives largely depends on careful design, planning, and the active involvement of urban communities. Understanding the motivational values of UA for community participation is crucial for achieving UA’s broader social and economic goals. This study aims to investigate the values driving community participation in UA within the Klang Valley, Malaysia, and assess their contributions to social and economic empowerment. The study surveyed 180 participants involved in UA programmes using a multistage random sampling method. To examine the complex relationships among the variables affecting UA outcomes, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied. A mediating effect analysis was also performed to identify indirect relationships, particularly the role of linking social capital between planning, implementation, and empowerment outcomes. In conclusion, the study highlights the crucial role of implementation and evaluation in urban agriculture (UA) programmes for social and economic empowerment. Evaluation processes revealed successes and potential drawbacks, emphasizing the need for improved methodologies. Linking social capital emerged as a key mediator that connects effective planning to empowerment outcomes, offering insights to enhance UA frameworks for sustainable and resilient communities.

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