Seminar 3: Agricultural Urbanism

Date: February 14, 2013
Names: Caleb, DJ, Brydget, Anita, Lindsay, Amanda, Sammi, Ellen, Mitchell
Readings: Drescher, Axel. "The integration of Urban Agriculture into urban planning-An analysis of the current status and constraints." ETC-RUAF, 2001. 
Webb, Nigel L. "Urban Agriculture: Environment, Ecology and the Urban Poor." Urban Forum 9:1, 1998. 
Summary of Readings: The integration of Urban Agriculture into urban planning-An analysis of the current status and constraints

Image 1: Example of garden in front lawn

This article discusses the issues that arise when deciding on land polices for agriculture. The main issues associated are: poverty and food security, urban land market, and issues with sustainable development. The main topic of this article was how to allow the poor access to urban land as it is usually quite expensive. The article discusses how access to available land is more important than the actual availability. Urban agriculture is not very integrated into urban planning, but if it was, this issue would be solved easier.

Image 2: Example of Urban Farming

Urban Agriculture: Environment, Ecology and the Urban Poor
This article discusses the benefits that urban agriculture brings and breaks it down into 5 different types of benefits: improvement of soil quality, promoting individuals to produce own food, gains that come from urban forestry, noise, climate and groundwater improvement, and raises environmental awareness.  Improving soil quality starts with changing the way gardening is done and also that biodegradable waste must be collected in dumps, as they have a big impact on the soil beneath. Relying on local food production and consumption saves on the transportation of food, however is sold at a higher price because the quality is better. Some examples of producing food for the urban poor is kitchen gardens, community gardens, parallel food supply systems and garbage recycling. Urban forestry helps the urban poor meet their shelter needs. Urban agriculture helps the environment in a general way as it allows for a sustainable environment. Finally, urban agriculture also raises general environmental awareness. It allows for habitat improvement as well.
Minutes of Seminar Discussion: Are inner city people going to implement urban agriculture?
-can we create large scale gardening?
-does there have to be just grass in our front lawn or can it be used for agriculture?
The seminar group then discussed how urban agriculture is typically on a smaller scale and that its function is to feed the community and promote healthy living.
What do you think are some of the benefits of including designers in the implementation of urban agriculture strategies?
-having tax breaks for agriculture
-the role of designers is to educate the public.
Should the urban poor be the only ones to participate in urban agriculture? Or should all classes be concerned?
-All classes should participate because food is essential and also should be available to every person, no matter their economic standpoint.
Why is their a disconnect between what the experts say and the data that is being collected in relation to urban agriculture practices?
-obstacles preventing widespread implementation of urban agriculture in poor neighbourhoods
-cost
-education
-working many jobs at one time just to make a living, so perhaps they don't have time
Reflections: I think it is interesting that people are starting to implement the lower classes into urban agriculture because everyone deserves organic, locally grown food. It all starts with urban planning, because without this, urban agriculture won't be implemented into the design of all areas of the city.

Image 1: "Vancouver's urban farming movement growing." Rabble.ca http://rabble.ca/news/2012/04/vancouvers-urban-farming-movement-growing accessed April 17, 2013
Image 2: "Urban Farming Around the World" Time Photos. http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1913033,00.html accessed April 17, 2013.