Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Week 9: Summary

In the Urban Agriculture research paper, I appreciated the unique approach that was taken in order to analyze the use of land inventories to plan for urban agriculture. Mendes explains how the inventories represent the “practice” of suitable urban agriculture land inventories. Also, how the stakeholders in the urban agriculture community don’t only include farmers and gardeners, but also school principals and sanitation workers, and public housing residents, especially foundations and city officials. Researcher Mendes, et al. (2008) describes urban agriculture as can include community and private gardens, edible landscaping, fruit trees, food-producing green roofs, aquaculture, farmers markets, small-scale farming, hobby beekeeping, and food composting

It is interesting how food system has gone from a rural matter to now an urban issue, especially with in the planning community. I like how more people around the world are taking a look at urban agriculture, which offers to make our food as "local" as possible. By growing what we need near where we live, we decrease the "food miles" associated with long-distance transportation. Also, urban agriculture can benefit a city by developing the city into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban space that increases shading and reduces harmful runoff.

Also, this research paper reminds me of a book called ‘Five Borough Farm: Seeding the Future of Urban Agriculture in New York City’, because the book provides detailed information and pictures on how urban agriculture contributes to health, economics, social, and ecological benefits to the city of NYC. 

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