Urban agriculture is a major topic in the present climate of sustainable living. In essence the central idea is to produce food on land in the urban environment. This will reduce the cost of food, use arable land in urban areas, reduce transport costs and above all, use methods of food production which avoid dependence on chemicals.
This idea relating to food production has been adopted worldwide. The idea is not a new one. The "allotment" movement in Britain is well established and proved to be an important addition to the diet of the urban population during the last war. What is new however, is the necessity to adopt production processes which are "environmentally friendly".
An example of a local initiative is an enclosed area in Coram's Fields set up by the University College London, Development Planning Unit (DPU). A number of vegetable crops will be planted in this area and grown organically. The DPU will provide information and advice on the growing of crops in an urban setting.
It is hoped and expected that these methods will lead to a real change in our behaviour relating to climate change and our use of natural resources.
This idea relating to food production has been adopted worldwide. The idea is not a new one. The "allotment" movement in Britain is well established and proved to be an important addition to the diet of the urban population during the last war. What is new however, is the necessity to adopt production processes which are "environmentally friendly".
An example of a local initiative is an enclosed area in Coram's Fields set up by the University College London, Development Planning Unit (DPU). A number of vegetable crops will be planted in this area and grown organically. The DPU will provide information and advice on the growing of crops in an urban setting.
It is hoped and expected that these methods will lead to a real change in our behaviour relating to climate change and our use of natural resources.
1 comment:
It was very encouraging to read about the project at Coram's Fields growing vegetables organically.
I saw a programme about bees recently - and the decline in their numbers.
One speaker suggested that urban areas have more biodiversity now than the countryside - I think partly because of the trend towards producing one crop only and the use of chemicals.
I understand better now the idea of sustainable development worldwide where food production "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
That's my hope.
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