What am I learning? What can I include?
In my research on urban agriculture, I’ve learned a lot about utilizing current infrastructure to meet sustainable goals. With our planet already being filled up by cities and structures, we must consider using preexisting systems to introduce more sustainable techniques. This could look like rooftop gardens, but also reusing warehouses, Freight Farms, community gardens, and more to provide access to homegrown foods.
I believe that future research should address the economic feasibility of urban agriculture. There’s still some research missing around the topic, but as ideal as it is to advocate for urban gardens we must first advocate for these spaces to be built and the materials provided. Unfortunately, we are in a dire situation where we don’t have decades to slowly build up the infrastructure. I hope to learn more about the barriers to urban agriculture, in addition to the benefits.
One key aspect of just sustainability is living within planetary means. A visualization of this comes in the form of the Planetary Doughnut, created by Kate Raworth.
The Planetary Doughnut, created by Kate Raworth
Doughnut Economics are best described as “meeting the needs of all people within the means of the living planet” (DEAL). Hitting the metaphorical “sweet spot” requires equality, equity, access, and commitment to providing all the necessary components of a fulfilling life while also keeping the environment healthy. Rather than exploiting the planet until it is run dry, Doughnut Economics strive to give back with a regenerative system. Reflecting on what I’ve learned about urban greenspaces, I believe that they are close to exemplifying principles of the Planetary Doughnut. Already placing an emphasis on cyclicity and reusing the same supplies over and over, the only aspect that rooftop agriculture is missing is the economic feasibility. I believe that this condition will be soon met with more advancements of materials, and updating roofs to meet building criteria. Once the accessibility to lower-income communities improves, rooftop gardens can be seen as a vital contributor to the Planetary Doughnut. By taking up pre-existing space and reusing water and soil to produce fresh, healthy food to the community, rooftop gardens are living within planetary means as well as giving back to the community and contributing to human well-being. As such, I believe that Raworth’s model is relevant, and provides an achievable method of regaining balance in our existence on Earth.