2014 - present
Lecturer and research fellow, University of Cologne

2009 - 2015:
PhD studies, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne

2013 - 2014:
Lecturer, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne

2010 - 2011:
Lecturer, Institute of Geography, University of Cologne

2009 - 2010:
Visiting PhD-candidate School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

2009 - 2009:
Scientific staff, Staff member Stadt- und Regionalplanung Dr. Jansen GmbH, Cologne (Urban and Regional Planning)

2003 - 2009:
Studies Geography (Diploma), Institute of Geography, University of Cologne

Urban and regional development, peri-urban dynamics, human-environment interaction, political ecology, land use change, agriculture/bioeconomy, smart cities/information and communication technology (ICT), urban green space, sustainability, participation

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) operates in an ambiguous relation to rapid urban growth: On the one hand, urban expansion and land use change constrain urban and peri-urban farmers’ access to land and other resources; on the other hand, population growth and changing food consumption patterns offer new market opportunities for UPA. Between these poles, we analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of market-oriented UPA and farmer´s responses to changing socio-spatial circumstances in two rapidly growing Kenyan cities: Nyeri and Nakuru. We use a mixed-methods approach combining geospatial analysis with quantitative and qualitative interviews, to better understand urban-growth related dynamics within UPA. In particular, we look for socio-economic and spatial factors to explain the juxtaposition of replacement, persistence, and intensification of UPA in the Global South.

We use a mixed-methods approach combining geospatial analysis of high-resolution satellite images (Rapid Eye) with quantitative farm survey data and qualitative interviews, to better understand urban-growth related dynamics within UPA.

Project Head: Professor Dr Peter Dannenberg & Dr Alexander Follmann

Investigators: Dr Alexander Follmann & Maximilian Willkomm (MSc)

International partners: Professor Dr Gilbert Nduru (Karatina University), Professor Dr George Owour (Egerton University)

Funding: Own funds, GSSC travel funds (2015-2021)