Urban agricultural landscapes: a comparative analysis of globally-distributed case studies with applications in Shanghai, China

This thesis presents comprehensive research of urban agriculture to propose innovative strategies for urban agriculture landscape design. Urban agriculture can integrate fragmented urban landscapes, rebuild benign urban ecosystems, and restore urban productivity. However, because the activities of urban agriculture are constrained by multifaceted factors, urban agricultural practices lack advanced theoretical guidance and design updates. This thesis explores the theoretical and practical significance of urban agriculture to provide scientific theoretical guidance and design suggestions for urban agriculture. I conduct an in-depth study of urban agriculture in a step-by-step manner from five aspects: literature research, case studies review, comparison of case studies, strategy design and application. In terms of literature research, I organise various literature to clarify the importance, concept, historical trajectory and existing theoretical system of urban agriculture. In terms of case studies review, I select excellent cases in the world and focus on the five core contents of the cases including the basic background, production efficiency, management model, ecology and social contribution. In terms of comparison of case studies, I analyse the production innovation, landscape spatial quality, management contribution, ecological restoration and societal integration of each type of urban agriculture to highlight the characteristics, commonalities, advantages and disadvantages of each type. In terms of strategy design, through the collation of the characteristics of various types of urban agriculture, I propose scientific urban agricultural strategies. In terms of application, I analyse the Shanghai case in detail from multiple perspectives. It verifies the feasibility of urban agricultural strategies and improves the understanding of strategies. Through in-depth research on urban agriculture, this thesis provides guidance for landscape designers and a useful supplement for urban sustainability. Meanwhile, the innovative urban agricultural strategy proposed contribute to the improvement of the quality of urban life and the maintenance of the urban environment.