Urban agriculture and the right to the city: challenges and perspectives in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (CE), Brazil

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges and perspectives of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (CE), Brazil, analyzing its relationship with the right to the city and with contemporary urban planning. The objective is to understand how agricultural practices present in urban and peri-urban territories are recognized, or neglected, by public policies and territorial management instruments. The research adopts a qualitative and descriptive approach based on documentary, bibliographic, and statistical analysis. The study combines the examination of urban plans, legislation, and institutional programs with data from the Brazilian Agricultural Census (IBGE, 2017) and previous studies conducted by local institutions. The results indicate that urban agriculture in the region has a strong family-based character and plays a significant role in food security and in the social reproduction of urban and peri-urban communities. However, the analysis reveals fragmented public policies, limited access to technical assistance, and the lack of institutional recognition of agriculture as a legitimate urban land use. The article concludes that consolidating UPA in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza requires its integration into urban planning instruments and intersectoral territorial development policies, recognizing it as a strategic component for socio-spatial justice, environmental sustainability, and the construction of more inclusive and resilient cities.