The Role of Urban Agriculture Technologies in Transformation toward Participatory Local Urban Planning in Rafsanjan

Mohsen Farhangi, Sara Farhangi, Paulien C. H. van de Vlasakker and Gerrit J. Carsjens
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Mohsen Farhangi: Department of Thematic Studies—Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
Sara Farhangi: Department of Art and Architecture, University Iuav of Venice, 30135 Venice, Italy
Paulien C. H. van de Vlasakker: Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology—Theoretical Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
Gerrit J. Carsjens: Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-30

Abstract: The agricultural sector in developing countries is one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change and water scarcity. Iran is one Middle Eastern country facing a growing water crisis. Rafsanjan county, located in the province of Kerman, is losing its pistachio orchards to water shortages and climate change. The modernisation of irrigation methods and transfer of water from other regions have been the main strategies taken by the governmental authorities. The lack of success of these strategies has led to the emergence of more participatory approaches in the transformation of the agricultural sector and local urban planning in Rafsanjan. This study analyses the actor network of transformation in the agricultural sector and the rise of high-tech urban agriculture, and aims to understand the role of technologies in supporting citizen participation in local urban planning. The research draws on the concept of Technology-Driven Transitions (TDT). The interactions among social and materials entities and the impact of technological novelties on the re-configuration of their relationships in the transition process were studied. The research comprised an exploratory case study, and data were gathered through observations, document study and in-depth interviews with farmers, planners, researchers, and policy makers in Rafsanjan. The results of the study show that governmental planning organizations and their implementation bodies, such as the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) and the 10-year plan for the development of greenhouses, were the most influential actants in the transition process. Their relationships with the other actants involved, such as the private sector, knowledge institutes and farmers, were re-configured by technological novelties. This re-configuration of relationships has led to strengthened participatory decision making in local urban planning in Rafsanjan.

Keywords: Technology-Driven Transition; urban agriculture; participatory urban planning; transition theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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