How “visible” is urban agriculture in Cameroon? Mapping urban agriculture practices by satellite imagery and field surveys

Abstract

Urban agriculture (UA), although promoted in numerous sustainability agendas, has been ignored in public policies of many African countries. This study evaluates the effectiveness of interviews and mapping techniques for characterizing UA and facilitating informed decision making at the local level. The methodology used combines both multi‐scale mapping (city, neighbourhood) and semi‐structured interviews in two different sized cities (large and medium) in Cameroon. Satellite image (SPOT, 5‐metre spatial resolution) mapping provides a general comprehension of spatial distribution of different agricultural practices in the two cities. In contrast, field‐based mapping and interviews reveal other characteristics of UA that cannot be identified on satellite images, such as crop types, emerging entrepreneurial practices, and the temporality of crops. Moreover, the combination of two methods allows us to grasp influences of urban context on UA. Echoing scholars of critical remote sensing, we propose a methodological framework for profiling UA. We argue that research method choices shape our understanding of UA and should be made with consideration of cities’ specific characteristics. We hope that our findings will enhance the understanding of UA, thereby reinforcing its significance within urban policy frameworks and informing decision‐making processes related to food security and sustainable urbanization.