Perception of Urbanization on Farmland in the Andean Valley of Cajamarca, Peru

• Autor: Moschella Miloslavich, Paola
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
• Repositorio: Revistas - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/30506
• Enlace del recurso: http://revistas.pucp.edu.pe/index.php/Kawsaypacha/article/view/30506
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Urban growth; City; Periurban; Rural; Land use; Expansión urbana; Ciudad; Periurbano; Uso de suelo

The expansion of the city of Cajamarca on farmland in the valley, which constitute a vital and scarce resource, is analyzed. The perception of these changes, their consequences, and potential alternative solutions are studied. The study aims to understand the causes and behaviors of actors involved in the loss of peri-urban agricultural land, with the goal of contributing to the discussion on sustainable land management possibilities for the peri-urban territory through a survey and interviews. The transformation of peri-urban agricultural lands in the study area has been accelerated by external factors and weak regulations that favor the informal subdivision of rural properties for sale as urban lots. These lots have characteristics that will result in future urban areas lacking sufficient public spaces and services. The majority of household heads have a high regard for peri-urban agricultural lands and recognize the socio-environmental impacts of their urbanization. However, beliefs and opinions play a minor role in decision-making about property and housing, where comfort and the land market take precedence. Similarly, unsuccessful initiatives aimed at protecting the valley were identified, but permissive regulations and a lack of political will limited the persistence of their proponents. The results underscore the need for improvements in land-use planning and management with a sustainability-oriented approach.