EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ALLIED DISCIPLINE

Fundamentals of Sustainable Urban Design

CHAPTER 29: URBAN AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY GARDENS

A written report in the course subject ARCH 523 – Specialization 3

Submitted by:
SERVANO, ALLANA MARIE L.
BSAR 5A

Submitted to:
AR. HERVY O. CATILOGO, MSCM
Instructor

May 18, 2023

 Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens

Introduction

More than half of the world population now lives in cities. In many developing countries, the urbanization
process goes along with increasing urban poverty and polluted environment, growing food insecurity and
malnutrition, especially for children, pregnant and lactating women, and increasing unemployment.

Moreover, in the midst of these bustling cities, where concrete jungles dominate the landscape, lies a
pressing issue that often goes unnoticed: the lack of awareness among urban dwellers regarding the
intricate journey their food takes from farm to plate. This disconnect has shed light on the urgent need for
alternative solutions such as urban agriculture and community gardens to address the shortcomings of the
urban food system.

The modern urban lifestyle has created a rift between people and the sources of their sustenance. Many
individuals residing in cities are unaware of how their food is grown, harvested, processed, and
transported before it reaches their plates. The prevailing narrative of supermarkets stocked with neatly
packaged produce and the convenience of pre-packaged meals has contributed to this lack of
understanding. However, this knowledge gap has far-reaching consequences for individuals,
communities, and the environment.

Effectively addressing these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses

education, policy changes, and innovative solutions within the food system. Initiatives aimed at
increasing public awareness about food origin and production processes can foster a more sustainable and
transparent food system that gave light to the rise of urban agriculture and community gardens.

This report seeks to provide a comprehensive discussion of urban agriculture and community gardens,
including their definitions and historical trajectory, exploring their origins, transformations, and
contemporary significance. Additionally, the report will explore design concepts that promote urban
agriculture, providing valuable insight into strategies that can be incorporated into urban design practices.
By the end of this paper, readers will have a better understanding of how urban agriculture and
community gardens can be fostered through effective design and will be equipped with practical
strategies for promoting these elements in urban environments.
What is Urban Agriculture and Community
Gardens?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), urban agriculture refers to the
cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products within urban and suburban areas. It
encompasses a diverse range of practices and facilities, including community gardens, rooftop farms,
hydroponic systems, aeroponic systems, aquaponics, and vertical production. Furthermore, urban
agriculture extends beyond cities to include tribal communities and small towns, emphasizing its
inclusivity and potential to benefit diverse populations.

Urban agriculture offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it improves food security and health by producing a
wide range of food products, including vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, and eggs. This localized food
production reduces dependence on distant food sources and enhances access to fresh, nutritious produce,
thus addressing issues related to food deserts and promoting healthier dietary choices.

Another advantage of urban agriculture is waste reduction and environmental sustainability. By adopting
renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and implementing sustainable practices like composting,
recycling, and smart water management, urban agriculture significantly reduces waste and minimizes its
ecological footprint. Furthermore, the use of organic methods and resource conservation contributes to a
more resilient and ecologically balanced urban environment.

Urban agriculture also provides economic opportunities by creating jobs within urban areas. From
managing community gardens to operating commercial urban farms, individuals can contribute to local
food production while earning a livelihood. This aspect of urban agriculture fosters economic growth,
skill development, and empowerment within communities.

Community gardens, a prominent form of urban agriculture, are plots of land cultivated by a group of
people rather than a single family or individual. Managed by unpaid individuals or volunteers, community
gardens encourage a sense of ownership and community participation. These gardens vary in their
characteristics and may have closed gates for private use or open gates to welcome public engagement.
They can offer a shared landscaping plan or individual plots, allowing gardeners to cultivate their
designated areas.
Community gardens serve multiple purposes beyond food production. They can incorporate a mix of food
plantings and ornamental plantings, enhancing aesthetic appeal while providing fresh produce. These
gardens also serve as educational platforms, partnering with local schools and communities to raise
awareness about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating.

Moreover, community gardens often embrace environmental initiatives, such as butterfly gardens or
wildlife habitats, to support biodiversity and ecological conservation. Some community gardens include
greenhouses for seedling cultivation and seed storage facilities for preserving heritage plant varieties,
contributing to the preservation of genetic diversity.

Community gardens foster a sense of community and social cohesion. They can be managed
democratically through elected boards, local churches, or landowners, encouraging collective decision-
making and empowering community members. By providing a platform for interaction, shared
knowledge, and skill exchange, community gardens strengthen social ties and promote well-being.

History of Urban Agriculture and

Community Gardens

The history of urban agriculture and community gardens is a fascinating tale of social and environmental
adaptation. From their humble beginnings as solutions to social challenges in the past to their modern-day
role in promoting food security, environmental sustainability, and community well-being, these practices
have evolved and thrived.

Origin of Urban Agriculture: The history of urban agriculture dates back to about 3,500 B.C.,
according to the American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) blog. At a symposium of historians
and landscape architects, they discussed how Mesopotamian farmers began setting aside plots in growing
cities. In the same part of the world about 1,500 years later, the semi-desert towns of Persia offered one of
the earliest pieces of archaeological evidence for urban food production. Thanks to urban aqueducts,
mountain water was brought to oases to produce food using a great deal of urban waste within the
settlement.

Two other early examples come from the Western Hemisphere in the 1400s A.D. A notable instance was
the nutritionally self-reliant city of Machu Picchu in Peru. “Scarce water was reused time and again, step-
by-step down the mountain,” urban agriculture expert Jac Smit wrote in the foreword of the book
“Continuous Productive Urban Landscapes.” “Biointensive vegetable beds were designed to catch the
afternoon sun and stretch the season. Water and land crops were brought together to resist the frequent
mountain frost.”

Machu Picchu Chinampa

Another notable point in history is from the Aztec civilization. They used “chinampa,” or floating islands,
for farming just outside of cities on lakes, K. Michelle Glowa noted in “The Wiley Blackwell
Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Studies.” The island became an important part of the Aztecs’
growth when they needed to support their population, but conquering more land wasn’t feasible.

Early Development of Community Gardens: The roots of community gardens can be traced back to
Germany during the 19th century, a time marked by industrialization and its associated social issues.
Cramped housing conditions, widespread poverty, and malnutrition prompted the establishment of "poor
gardens." These gardens aimed to support socially disadvantaged individuals by providing them with
space to grow their own food. Initially, these garden areas were temporary, serving as a means to address
urgent needs. However, the concept evolved, and by the mid-19th century, the first permanent allotment
gardens emerged.

The Role of Allotment Gardens in Times of Crisis: Allotment gardens took on new significance during
and after the two world wars. They played a crucial role in providing additional food sources for
populations facing starvation. Even parks and fallow lands were temporarily transformed into productive
spaces, known as "Victory gardens," where fruits and vegetables were cultivated. The success of these
initiatives further solidified the importance of community gardens as sources of sustenance during
challenging times.
Transition from Food Production to Recreation: With the economic boom in the 1950s and the advent
of the Swedish "Million-programme," allotment gardens gradually shifted away from their primary role as
food sources. As living conditions improved, these gardens transitioned into planned and organized
recreational spaces. They became havens for leisure activities, offering city dwellers access to light, fresh
air, and physical activity. However, this shift led to concerns about the loss of their original purpose and
their potential to address food security challenges.

Diversification and Activism: The reputation of community gardens as conservative spaces associated
with the working class led to calls for greater diversity in urban horticulture. In the 1970s, inspired by the
environmental movement, activists began to reclaim public land for gardening purposes through
"Guerrilla Gardening." These acts of cultivating plants illegally in vacant spaces served as a political
statement, advocating for a more sustainable society. Guerrilla Gardening highlighted the need for
alternative forms of urban agriculture that embraced ecological principles and promoted community
engagement.

Contemporary Significance and Evolution: In recent decades, the modern urban agriculture movement
has gained momentum as a response to pressing concerns such as food security, environmental
sustainability, and community well-being. Community gardens and urban farms have emerged as vital
components of urban landscapes, driven by grassroots efforts and a desire to reconnect with nature. These
initiatives promote local food production, reduce the ecological footprint of food systems, and foster
community resilience.

Today, urban agriculture encompasses a diverse array of practices, including rooftop gardens, vertical
farming, aquaponics, and community-supported agriculture. These initiatives emphasize sustainable food
production, enhance food access in urban areas, and prioritize community engagement. Urban agriculture
and community gardens have become essential tools for addressing food insecurity, promoting
environmental stewardship, and fostering social connections within communities.

Types of Urban Agriculture

1. Backyard Gardens
This is the growing of food on home property. Its produce is mostly shared among friends, family, and
neighbors as it typically leads to a surplus in the harvest. The food can also be stored and preserved.
Backyard gardens are beneficial to communities as neighbors can share each other’s backyard and
employ different methods of farming leading to better yields.

2. Tactical Gardens

This involves using the limited space available to practice agriculture without having to incur hefty
expenses. For instance, an urban dweller could easily make a keyhole garden to cover a space that was
intended for car parking in the street. This puts to good use land that could potentially have gone to waste
and instead creates an activity that can be done for leisure or to make more food.

3. Street landscaping

This is the landscaping of streets for different uses such as community gardens, which are tended to by
the people in the neighborhood. They do not only make the streets look beautiful but also purify the air
creating a clean environment. Since they are primarily located along the street, their added advantage is
their capability of reducing urban stormwater runoff.

4. Forest gardening

It pertains to the practice of having gardens grown within an urban forest. Forest gardening is achieved by
having different crops, vegetables, and fruits grown within urban settings. Forests usually create an
environment that is favorable for crop development and for this reason, they help in ensuring that forests
are protected and can make deforestation a nonfactor in urban settings. Forest gardening can also be part
of afforestation efforts, which encourage the planting of trees as a step towards the fight against global
warming in urban areas.

5. Greenhouses

It involves the practice of agriculture in residential, commercial, and communal urban spaces in
greenhouses. They require a substantial size of land to set up depending on the crops being planted.
Greenhouses give farmers the ability to grow a crop all year round as they provide a controlled
environment where the crops can be subjected to specific conditions required for their growth.

6. Rooftop gardens
Since urban areas have limited space, it does not mean agriculture cannot be practiced. This is where
rooftop spaces come in as they can easily be utilized for cropping vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The
advantage of rooftop gardens is that they can aid in reducing urban heat as well as improving the air
quality. Aside from these, rooftop gardens can be used to beautify recreational facilities.

7. Green walls

The green wall encompasses the growing of vegetation or food crops on the external or internal space of a
wall. It does not use up a lot of space as the mechanism used helps to supply the food with adequate water
and it uses soil present on the walls. It is a good method for reducing stormwater runoff.

8. Vertical farms

This involves potentially farming upwards to reduce the agricultural land footprint. Green walls can be
used as a method for vertical farms as it also uses minimal space and is practiced on the sides of vertical
walls.

9. Animal husbandry

This is the practice of rearing animals for food in urban settings. An urban dweller can choose a location
suitable for keeping different types of animals or focus on specific animals such as poultries, goats,
rabbits, or sheep. Some cities limit the number of animals one can keep and also the type of animals that
can be kept.

10. Aquaponics

This entails the practice of rearing aquatic animals like fish in urban areas. It involves the use of a system
that captures stormwater from within the city and then creates a self-sustaining recirculating system in
tanks or artificial fish ponds. It is an efficient way of rearing crops and a protein alternative.

The Challenges of the Current

Urban Food System

The rapid urbanization of the world's population has led to a range of challenges in the urban food system.
Increasing urban poverty, environmental pollution, food insecurity, malnutrition, and unemployment are
prevalent issues in many developing countries. In this context, urban agriculture presents an opportunity
to address these challenges by improving food supply, health conditions, local economies, social
integration, and environmental sustainability. By minimizing the distance between producers and
consumers, promoting local shopping, and encouraging mindful eating, urban agriculture aims to
revolutionize the urban food system. However, the current complex and extensive food supply chain,
coupled with spatial inaccessibility to healthy food, poses significant obstacles to achieving a sustainable
and equitable urban food system.

The Complexities of the Food Supply Chain: The journey of food from farm to plate is often an
intricate and opaque process. The globalized nature of the food industry is exemplified by the paradoxes
highlighted by Robyn Shotwell Metcalfe in her book "Food Routes." For instance, fish caught in New
England may be exported to Japan and then shipped back as sushi, revealing the complex nature of food
distribution. In the United States, 95% of food travels over 1.6 thousand kilometers before reaching retail
outlets, taking a week to distribute vegetables across the country. Similar patterns are observed in Brazil,
where 2.4 trillion tkm of food freight was transported in 2015, resulting in a significant carbon footprint.
Such extensive supply chains contribute to the detachment of consumers from the origins and quality of
their food.

Spatial Inaccessibility to Healthy Food: The sprawling nature of cities and the absence of agricultural
areas within urban centers pose challenges to ensuring spatial accessibility to healthy food. Many city
dwellers lack proximity to agricultural regions, green spaces, and direct contact with nature. The existing
food supply chain, which prioritizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness, often fails to prioritize the
provision of fresh, nutrient-rich food to urban communities. Consequently, access to healthy food
becomes a key determinant of a healthy lifestyle, exacerbating food disparities and contributing to health
issues within urban populations.

Reconnecting City Dwellers with Food: Recognizing the need for a change in consuming and eating
habits, various initiatives have emerged to reconnect city dwellers with their food. These efforts aim to
highlight food production and consumption routes while addressing environmental concerns. One such
approach is locavorism, which emphasizes purchasing food solely from local producers or small
businesses. By doing so, the goal is to reduce nutrient loss, preserve freshness, and mitigate
environmental impacts caused by long transportation routes. Moreover, urban planning and architecture
have started incorporating green spaces, urban gardens, and vertical farms as strategies to bring food
production closer to consumers and optimize land use in the face of a growing population.

The Promise of Urban Agriculture: In response to the challenges of the current urban food system,
urban agriculture has gained prominence as a viable solution. By integrating architecture, technology, and
environmental education, urban agriculture initiatives aim to make food production more sustainable and
efficient. These projects encompass individual vegetable gardens, large-scale vertical farms, and urban
gardens capable of producing substantial amounts of food. With the global population projected to reach
9 billion in the coming decades, traditional methods and horizontal farms alone will not suffice. Urban
agriculture presents a smart and innovative tactic to address the growing demand for food while utilizing
limited urban spaces effectively.

Urban agriculture and Community Gardens

in Architecture

Urban agriculture and community gardens present a promising solution for addressing the challenges of
the current urban food system. Landscape architects play a crucial role in designing diverse and
sustainable urban farming systems. Below are design strategies that facilitate the production of local,
fresh food, promote environmental sustainability, and foster community well-being in urban areas.

Design Considerations for Urban Gardens

Integration with Surrounding Area: Planners should consider prevailing landscaping features,
incorporate mature trees for shade, analyze site slope and drainage, and create rain gardens to improve
drainage.
Accessibility and Social Interaction: Locating entrances, exits, and pedestrian paths that minimize
distance between the urban garden and streets or public paths is crucial. Proximity to transit stops and
community amenities encourages social interaction and enhances the overall user experience.

Garden Types and Planting Methods: Community gardens, including neighborhood, residential, and
institutional gardens, provide opportunities for collective gardening. Designers can employ vertical
planting methods for small spaces, utilize rooftops through green roofs or rooftop gardens, and explore
aquaponics systems that combine aquaculture and hydroponics.

Layout and Orientation: Designing paths for specific traffic flow, ensuring sunlight exposure by
avoiding shading from tall buildings, and orienting rows of plants in the north-south direction maximize
sunlight exposure and optimize garden productivity
Green Urban Future

Urban agriculture has emerged as a sustainable and innovative approach to food production within cities.
With limited space and a growing population, urban areas are exploring various methods to cultivate
crops, raise livestock, and promote community engagement in agriculture. This includes the development
of urban agriculture buildings and the establishment of community gardens. These initiatives not only
provide fresh and locally grown food but also foster a sense of community, promote environmental
sustainability, and contribute to the overall well-being of urban dwellers. Let's now explore some
examples of urban agriculture buildings and community gardens that have successfully integrated into
urban landscapes.

1. Nature Urbaine

Paris opened a huge 14,000 square meter urban farm on the rooftop of a building. The plantation does not
yet cover the entire area, but when it does, it could be considered the largest in Europe and perhaps in the
world. The project known as Nature Urbaine is being implemented at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles -
the largest exhibition center in France. Over a thousand fruits and vegetables of about 20 different species
will be grown at the top of the building each day. There will always be seasonal food fresh from the
garden. Twenty gardeners will be responsible for taking care of the crops and, the best part, without using
pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

2. Glasir
In addition to taking over the rooftops of existing buildings, there are also independent, avant-garde
structures such as Glasir, a modular aeroponic system for growing vegetables in the middle of New York
City. The project was designed by Framlab to offer local and affordable goods, improving the resilience
of dense urban districts.

Glasir is a project that seeks to utilize tree's adaptable growth processes as a dynamic framework for high-
yield, vertical farming. The system catalogue consists of ten modules (five growth modules, three
production modules, and two access modules). Through the use of standardized interfaces, all modules
can connect to each other, enabling the system to assemble into an endless number of configurations.
Through the elevation and distribution of production modules, the system enables high-yield, local
production of greens and vegetables, while engaging with the streetscape as a distinct new urban figure.
With its 2’ x 2’ footprint, the structure can be erected anywhere in the city where a regular tree can be
planted — on the sidewalk, in a backyard, in a public park, etc. The modular architecture of the system
affords great flexibility and allows each structure to conform to local context and constraints.

3. Superfarm

Superfarm is a utopian project by Studio NAB, which is a six-story vertical structure dedicated to urban
agriculture that "focuses its production on the culture of foods with a high nutritional value." The project
is founded on the principles of high-yielding food as a means of reviving local economies.
The project is founded on the principles of pragmatic implementation, high-yielding foods, reducing
health risks, promoting short circuits, reviving economies, and energy self-sufficiency.
The scheme is a response to the projections that by 2050, 80% of the earth’s population will live in urban
centers, demanding an area of farmland 20% more than is represented by the country of Brazil. By
moving farm systems indoors, Superfarm represents an “ecological transition” that is resilient, human-
sensitive, and technologically advanced.

The scheme manifests as a thirty-four meter high, six-story building erected on water. Over six levels, the
vertical farming scheme contains a variety of vehicles for production, including open soil and soilless
cropping techniques, seaweed, insects, fish from aquaponics, berries, honey from hives, and plants such
as Ginseng or Aloe Vera. A highly-controlled environment reduces health risks, with a ban on pesticides,
and the recycling and recovery of water produced by plants’ evapotranspiration.

4. Sunquiao Urban Agricultural District

Speaking of urban farms, one couldn't fail to mention Shanghai's Sunqiao Urban Agricultural District as
well. With nearly 24 million inhabitants to feed and a decline in the availability and quality of agricultural
land, the Chinese megacity is set to realize a 100-hectare masterplan by global design firm Sasaki
Associates. Situated between Shanghai’s main international airport and the city center, Sunqiao will
introduce large-scale vertical farming to the city of soaring skyscrapers. While primarily responding to
the growing agricultural demand in the region, Sasaki’s vision goes further, using urban farming as a
dynamic living laboratory for innovation, interaction, and education.

Sunqiao represents more than a factory for food production, however. Sasaki’s master plan creates a
robust public realm, celebrating agriculture as a key component of urban growth. An interactive
greenhouse, science museum, aquaponics showcase, and festival market signal an attempt to educate
generations of children about where their food comes from. Meanwhile, sky plazas, office towers, and
civic greens represent a desire to create a mixed-use, dynamic, active environment far removed from
traditional, sprawling, rural farmlands.

5. Pasona

When it comes to medium-scale initiatives, it is also worth mentioning the Pasona office in Tokyo, which
has dedicated 20% of its area to vegetable cultivation, making it the largest urban farm in the country.
However, it is important to remember that because the gardens contain both hydroponic and soil-planted
vegetables, they require very specific climate control. This often means keeping these spaces warmer than
what is considered comfortable for offices, and this is arguably the building’s greatest downfall. This
challenge is intrinsically related to the pioneering nature of the initiative.

Conclusion
The introduction of urban agriculture and community gardens represents a significant step towards
creating sustainable and resilient urban food systems. Throughout this report, we have explored the
definition and historical trajectory of urban agriculture, highlighting its evolution from grassroots
movements to widespread adoption by municipalities and communities around the world.

We have also discussed various types of urban agriculture, ranging from backyard gardens, tactical
gardens, street landscaping, forest gardening, greenhouses, aquaponics, animal husbandry, rooftop
gardens and vertical farming,etc. Each type offers unique advantages and can be tailored to suit different
urban landscapes and community needs.

However, we must acknowledge the challenges that the current urban food system faces. Issues such as
limited access to fresh and nutritious food, environmental degradation, and food insecurity continue to
persist. Urban agriculture and community gardens provide a promising solution by reconnecting people
with their food sources, reducing food miles, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Design considerations play a crucial role in the success of urban gardens. Factors such as available space,
soil quality, water management, and community engagement need to be carefully evaluated and
integrated into the planning process. Implementing innovative techniques like aquaponics, hydroponics,
etc. can maximize productivity and resource efficiency in urban settings.

Several inspiring examples demonstrate the transformative power of urban agriculture. From the vibrant
urban farms of Havana, Cuba, to the community gardens in Detroit, Michigan, these initiatives have
revitalized neighborhoods, fostered social cohesion, and provided economic opportunities.

In conclusion, urban agriculture and community gardens hold tremendous potential to address the
challenges of the current urban food system. By promoting local food production, environmental
sustainability, and community engagement, they can contribute to healthier, more resilient, and inclusive
cities. Embracing these practices and investing in their development is not only an investment in food
security but also in the well-being and future of our urban communities.

References

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