[Community_garden] FYI - Urban Agriculture in Kingston: Potential for Food System Re-localization and Sustainability

[Moonshae]

For your amusement...  [Interested parties are free to contact me for  
further information or a brief summary.]

Synopsis

Urbanization and the globalization of the food system are causing  
social, environmental, economic and political problems worldwide.   
Rapid urbanization is increasing environmental degradation and food  
insecurity.  Urban agriculture is one tool for sustainable  
development that has the potential to provide food or related  
services within or on the edges of urban areas.  The goal of this  
research was to determine the current situation and the potential of  
urban agriculture in Kingston, Ontario (Canada).  A literature  
review, questionnaires, interviews and case studies were used to  
determine the perceptions of relevant stakeholders, barriers and ways  
to overcome those barriers.  Conservative estimates of urban  
agriculture's value to Kingston's environmental, social, community  
health, food security and economic dimensions were made through  
modeling.  Study participants demonstrated a relatively greater  
awareness of environmental and community benefits of urban  
agriculture compared to food security, health or economic benefits.   
Modeling and calculations indicated that urban agriculture could  
contribute at least $190 to $860 million per year in positive  
environmental, health and economic benefits.  Modeling indicated that  
sourcing more local urban produced foods could reduce greenhouse gas  
emissions by at least 1300 to 14000 tonnes annually for 39 common  
fresh fruits and vegetables.  Urban agriculture could meet the fresh  
fruits and vegetables needs of up to 76% or more of the Kingston CMA  
population.  There appeared to be 5600 ha of area in the inner-city  
that could be used for food production.  Major challenges identified  
were perceptions of limited space, limited resources and education.   
Recommendations to address these challenges are also provided.   
Overall, urban agriculture has potential to contribute to  
sustainability in Kingston.

[Full thesis is available upon request as well.]

Sunny Lam

BSCH Environmental Studies (Biology)
Masters of Environmental Studies
Local food, marketing, food systems, urban agriculture
Phone:  +1 416 699 0347
Email:  sunny.lam at gmail.com