Urban farming and the nexus of economic growth and environmental sustainability in coastal cities, Indonesia

This study investigates the contribution of urban farming to economic growth and environmental sustainability in Kendari City, a coastal urban area in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research adopts a quantitative descriptive approach, analyzing the role of urban farming within the gross domestic regional product (GDRP), specifically in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors, alongside its environmental performance. Using the Asian green city index (AGCI) framework, the study evaluates energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and air quality indicators (NO₂, SO₂, and PM₁₀). Findings reveal that urban farming is the third-highest contributor to the city’s GDRP, accounting for 10.66% of the total economic output, emphasizing its significant role in supporting local economies and food security. Despite this, the overall growth of the sector remains fluctuating, and its direct economic impact is underreported. In terms of environmental performance, Kendari’s per capita energy use (1,121 kWh/person) and CO₂ emissions (316,560 tons) exceed AGCI thresholds, categorizing the city as “below average” in sustainability. However, air quality indicators remain within acceptable limits, contributing to an “average” environmental performance score of 43.46%. The findings point to the need for policy reform to position urban farming not only as an economic sector but also as a tool for climate mitigation. Enhanced integration of urban farming into coastal city planning can significantly contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals and advancing low-carbon urban development agendas.