Agricultural Urbanism

AU Basics

hands_seeds.jpg

Origins/lineage

Agricultural urbanism is a movement and approach that has emerged from planners, designers, developers, academics and others who are educated in many aspects of sustainable food issues, using their broad knowledge to address the planning and development of cities and communities to address sustainable food system goals. As such, the intellectual and practical foundation of AU includes individuals and organizations that have worked to address the following areas:
  • Urban agriculture
  • Farmers markets and direct marketing for farmers
  • Agricultural land preservation and farmland security
  • Organic agriculture / Permaculture / SPIN Farming / others
  • Food security
  • Artisan food / slow food movement
  • 100 mile diet
  • Education on all aspects of food
  • Farmers succession planning
  • Co-operative farming
  • Local food economies
  • Community Supported Agriculture
  • Wildlife and agriculture integration
  • Sustainable communities
  • Smart growth
  • New Urbanism
  • Green infrastructure
  • Composting
  • Many others
Agricultural Urbanism was developed though work done in the Metro Vancouver region (British Columbia, Canada) by the core team including:
  • HB Lanarc Consultants
  • Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, Kwantlen Univeristy College
  • Earthwise Community Garden
  • Edward Porter
Agricultural Urbanism is a growing movement and many are becoming involved. In particular we thank the following:
  • Sean Hodgins, Century Group
  • Bob Ransford, Counterpoint Communications.
  • The Southlands Community Planning Team
  • Michael Ableman
  • Duany Plater-Zyberk
  • Michael Von Hausen, MVH Urban Planning & Design
  • Derek Masselink, Masselink Environmental Design.