Introduction or preface

Once reorganised by subject matter, the contributions of this service highlight a few contradictory aspects of the debate in progress on urban agriculture. The introduction provides three alternative keys to interpretation for this purpose. The fi rst reproduces the debate in its ‘sealed compartments' and nevertheless attempts to compare, by juxtaposition, contrasting attitudes. The second aims at shedding light on a transverse conceptual dichotomy with strong repercussions for planning (urban agriculture as a remedy for city problems vs the urban countryside as a new urban plan). Finally, the third challenges the debate on the subject in the context of Milan.