Urbanization

Globally, more people live in urban areas than in rural. 54 per cent of the global population was living in cities in 2014. It is estimated that by 2050 it is 66 per cent who resides in urban areas. Continuing population growth and urbanization^[1] will add 2.5 billion people to urban population by 2050, nearly 90 per cent of the growth is concentrated in Asia and Africa^[2].

Urbanization uses up millions of acres of productive farmland. Pressuring also natural habitats urbanization results in the degradation of the ecosystem. The urban sprawl creates wastelands like brown fields, roof tops, etc^[3].

Therefore urbanization challenges sustainable development^[4] in urban as well as in rural areas and it is relevant to look for solutions for improving the life quality of rural as well as urban residents^[5].

Global diet

Food security and stability has become a major problem. The global diet has been narrowing which makes humans more dependent on few crops that are more vulnerable to climate conditions, pests and plant diseases. Increased growth of monocultures^[6] has led to the spread of plant diseases and pests that affect harvest diversity. The higher diversity of plants (polycultures^[7]) in an ecosystem reduces their vulnerability towards pests.

According to UN Food and Agriculture Organization the diversity of crops has decreased 75 per cent during the 20th century. Following the same trend by 2050 1/3 of today’s edible plants have supposedly disappeared.

Therefore in order to conserve global food supply it is essential to increase crop diversity and the accessibility to various crops, including traditional local plant breeds as well as their wild versions^[8].

Urban farming

Urban farming can be seen as a solution to sustainable urban environment, affecting also rural natural areas. Urban farming is also a key to improve global diet and food supply.

Urban agriculture on SABS school rooftop in Senegal (by Kaie Kuldkepp 2015)

The positive side effects of urban farming:

1. Increased food safety and quality of nutrition.

Urban farming contributes to the decrease of hunger, creating an additional social guaranty and direct access to food supply. Urban farming contributes to better access to fresh and healthy food. Practical experience of growing your own food improves our knowledge of food and our eating habits^[9].

Educational permaculture project at SABS in Senegal (by Kaie Kuldkepp 2015)

2. Positive effect on your body and mind.

Growing your own food not only increases accessibility to food, but also changes the relation with the food, the environment and yourself.

Green urban space, agricultural practice and plants have positive effect to your physical and mental health. Urban farming facilitates physical activity outdoors and contributes to restoration from stress. Nature has therapeutic affect for our body and mind^[10].

3. Development of the neighborhood and stronger community feeling. 

Having community gardens in cities offers a place for the community to meet and socialize. Urban farming brings various groups of people together, interrupting barriers like participation fee, language, age or education that often stop people from socializing. The synergy encourages people to contribute to their neighborhood in order to make it a safer and nicer place. Person working in community garden is no longer a passive consumer, but an active urban citizen, who influences urban processes^[11].

4. Reduced environmental impact

One of the principles of urban farming is to think globally, act locally. Urban farming mitigates negative environmental impact, decreasing the dependence on global agriculture that is based on fossil fuels as well as reducing the need to transport the food supply from far distances. Growing crops in cities means growing in smaller quantities and according to permaculture principles^[12] which leads to the cut in use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Urban farming practice contributes to local natural biodiversity and urban gardens stabilize local urban climate^[13].

Examples of urban farming techniques

Raised beds gardening

Raised beds are suitable for urban farming, because they:

• increase the amount of food from a small space
• absorb rain water, releasing it slowly over time, contributing to flood protection
• use garden waste (leaves, branches, roots, etc)
• create an educational community space
• provide a barrier to noise pollution or unattractive urban landscape (heavy trafficked roads, parking lots, etc.)
• are suitable for growing all sorts of different vegetables^[14]

Vertical gardening

Vertical gardening is suitable for urban farming, because:

• Vertical gardening increases the amount of food from a small space
• Vertical position allows the plants to dry out fast – advantage to plants susceptible to fungus diseases

Vertical gardening is suitable for vining and sprawling plants, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, beans, etc^[15].

• Monitoring and controlling pests is easier because they are right in front of your eyes!
• Harvesting is easier, because there is no hunching over
• No waste because of overripe veggies and fruits hidden under lush growth
• Vertical gardens are better accessible for gardeners with disabilities who can pick from a chair or garden seat^[16].

Container gardening

Container farming is suitable for urban farming, because

• it is flexible in its spatial use. One can create an urban garden in vacant city lots, brown fields, parking lots, roof tops
• it allows maximum utilization of limited space
• it allows planting variety of plants in one container, which ensures the health of plants due to diversity
• it saves water and soil as containers hold the run offs of soil and water
• it uses up urban wasteland^[17]

Square foot gardening

Square foot gardening is suitable for urban farming, because:

• it is compact and increases the amount of food from a small space
• it does not take a lot of work
• it reduces the spread of pests and plant diseases^[18]

Exercises:

1. What are the new definitions you learnt in this chapter?
2. Research on possible urban farming projects in your home country/town/neighborhood. 
3. Research on local plants suitable for urban farming practice in your home/school. 
4. Find out about additional urban farming technique that is not listed in this chapter.