Urban Horticulture

The Working Group Urban Horticulture addresses the challenges and opportunities of integrating horticulture into urban environments to enhance sustainability, resilience, and human well-being. As cities expand and climate, environmental, and social pressures increase, the group focuses on the role of plants, green infrastructure, and food-producing systems in improving urban living conditions.

The Working Group brings together researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from multiple disciplines, including:

• horticultural scientists and educators,
• urban agriculture and food system specialists,
• urban planners and designers,
• landscape architects and green infrastructure professionals,
• policy makers, NGOs, and private-sector innovators.

The goals of the Working Group are to:

• foster interdisciplinary dialogue on urban horticulture systems and practices,
• promote collaborative research addressing complex urban challenges,
• advance knowledge and innovation in areas such as urban food production, green roofs and walls, biodiversity enhancement, climate adaptation, soil and water management, and social inclusion,
• support evidence-based strategies that link urban horticulture with public health, ecosystem resilience, and social equity.

The main focus at present is to strengthen international networking, share best practices and research outcomes, and increase visibility of urban horticulture within scientific and professional communities. These efforts aim to support knowledge exchange through workshops, sessions at international symposia, and dedicated symposia on urban horticulture.