Highly dynamic interrelations between urban and rural environments the world over present a number of particular research challenges. Growing populations and rapid urban expansion lead to conversion of agricultural land, particularly in the peri-urban fringes of (large) metropoles, for infrastructural, housing, commercial and industrial uses.  Concurrently, the cities' expansion calls for increased food production (staples and vegetables) to feed the growing populations. The latter, in their turn, produce ever-greater amounts of urban waste. A characteristic of both densely populated peri-urban and rural environments is that the land is increasingly called upon to fulfil many different functions. In addition to food production, these may include safeguarding biodiversity and other ecological functions, providing space for nature development and recreation, infrastructure elements, residential facilities, commercial uses, etc. Accommodating these conflicting functions inevitably leads to the necessity to set priorities, as not all objectives can be fully realised at the same time. In view of the multi-sectoral choices to be made this process of priority setting is a complicated one, entailing widely-varying land use alternatives and opposing interests of a of the stakeholders.

On the basis of the above considerations, the overall research objectives of this theme are formulated as follows:

·         To research and develop intensive crop, livestock and mixed agricultural systems in peri-urban/densely populated rural areas that are economically viable, ecologically sound and socially acceptable;

·         To study farmers’ decisions and their effects on the environment and explore alternative options for sustainable land use and rural development in densely populated regions;

·         To formulate promising policy measures that promote adoption of sustainable land use systems based upon local environmental conditions, aims and objectives.