Urban agriculture (UA) is a phenomenon that occurs in built environments, but does not have to disrupt the form and function of the city. Close proximity to nature in urban areas is constructed as something that will enrich people’s lives and often refers to human senses (touch, smell, sight) and feelings (calmness, joy, mindfulness). Urban planning has sought to maintain natural environments within built environments. Green spaces are important in urban planning; however, due to lack of space in rapidly growing cities green spaces like parks are becoming scarce. UA has emerged as an activity which has the potential to engage these existing green spaces and create new ones. The experience of nature and agriculture in the urban environment carries different meanings and values.

This paper will investigate how urban farmers in Stockholm and Helsinki experience agriculture in the urban environment and the subsequent (re)construction of their identity as urban dwellers. Using the photovoice method, also called participatory photography, urban farmers will have a chance to express their story through their eyes. This method calls for participants to take photographs at their own farming site and in their urban environment. These photographs are then used as the basis for a discussion around the concepts of place and identity. This methodology captures the perspective and lived experience of the participants in a way that is limited in other qualitative methods. Using photovoice we endeavor to develop a deeper understanding of the transformative potential of UA in the city.