How does urban agriculture benefit city environments?

Urban agriculture plays a significant role in improving city environments by enhancing food security and providing green spaces. It allows city dwellers to grow their own food, which can reduce dependence on external food supplies and therefore support local economies. This also contributes to food security by making fresh produce more accessible and affordable in urban settings, particularly in areas that may be classified as food deserts.

Additionally, urban agriculture fosters the creation and maintenance of green spaces within cities. These green spaces not only improve the aesthetic quality of urban areas but also contribute to environmental health by improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, and providing habitats for various species. Moreover, they can help mitigate the urban heat island effect and manage stormwater, thus supporting overall urban sustainability.

The other choices do not align with the benefits of urban agriculture. The first option does not apply since urban agriculture focuses on smaller, local farming rather than promoting larger industrial farms. The second option contradicts the notion that urban agriculture adds green spaces; instead, it would be expected to enhance them. Lastly, using rural farming techniques does not fully capture the unique approaches and innovations often employed in urban settings, which adapt traditional agriculture to the constraints and opportunities present in a city environment.