A new phase on the process to maintain the urban agricultural area of "L'Horta de València" (Spain)

Abstract

[EN] On 12 March 2018, the Valencian official bulletin published the Law of "L'Horta de València". In addition, on 20 December 2018, the same bulletin published approval of the Territorial Action Plan for Planning and Revitalizing "L'Horta de València". Both initiatives establish a framework for maintaining the periurban agricultural area of Valencia and allow actions to promote agricultural activities. In 2019, "L'Horta de València" was declared a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The municipality of Valencia became the world capital for sustainable food, to promote the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. Therefore, two years after protection, it is time to review if the new law and planning have produced positive changes in agricultural activities and landscape, and assess which are the current challenges now. Specifically, it's time to know the current situation, problems, limitations and opportunities. This article provides the results of a SWOT analysis about the current situation of agricultural activities and landscape of "L'Horta de València", carried out by semi-structured interviews with a panel of experts involved in elaboration of these documents or who are intervening in management of this space.