Inclusion and urban horticulture in Vienna, Austria

The target group of this study – people with disabilities who work and who are cared for in daily structures – is largely absent from the discussions about urban agriculture.
In the process of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities education and work are essential points, especially for the self-determination of people with disabilities.
However, people with disabilities are currently often prevented from a real participation in society.
The main focus of this study lies on the barriers to inclusion into horticultural working life.
One university, three social institutions with seven employees, two horticultural farms with two farm managers and 15 people with disabilities took part in a pilot project on urban agriculture and inclusion in Vienna.
Action research was applied during the tomato harvest and thereby evaluated and modified.
At the same time, the authors tried to make a contribution in terms of Grounded Theory.
Offers in the field of urban agriculture should go beyond pure cooperation between social institutions and horticultural farms.
A socio-ecological scenario with agro-ecological inclusion farms is suggested.
The establishment of such farms in terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Vienna could bring the city closer to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.

XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Urban Horticulture for Sustainable Food Security (UrbanFood2022)

S. Schaffernicht, E. Quendler

inclusion, sustainable city development, horticulture, psychological wellbeing

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1356.11