Urban Agriculture And Regional Food Systems

Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Systems explores the sustainable integration of food provision, distribution and consumption through urban farms, agricultural systems, user communities and structural facilities designed to optimize food production and consumption. It addresses the fundamental and pressing challenges of urban planning problems, waste minimization, food sourcing, access and equity issues and multiple land use optimization.

The book is presented in seven strategically themed parts whose chapters are consistently structured, providing readers with accessible, thorough content. Part 1: Context and setting sets the stage for the need and opportunities of urban agriculture, Part 2: Cities and Agriculture provides an overview of cities and agriculture including topics of tradition and transition, space and regulatory topics. Part 3: State of Growing Systems explores the range of urban agriculture options from aquaculture to urban permaculture. Part 4: Architecture of food explores the support structures and constructs of physically creating urban agricultural areas. Part 5 Regulatory Frameworks and Incentives looks at the legal constraints and considerations while Part 6 explores Markets and Distribution including the use of cloud farming and big data analytics. Part 7 concludes the book examining the Global Differences and Potentials of urban farming through regionally specific insights and examples.

Edited and authored by leading experts in the field, this volume will be valuable for those working to address issues of food security in urban environments.