IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

Despite being one of humanities greatest and recurring daily needs, food and moreover its cultivation inhabits an uncomfortable space in land use planning and sustainability policy. The near-consensus in sustainable agriculture literature supports a resilient network approach to urban food production as the climate crisis increasingly strains food systems. The network approach encourages a diversity of production typologies, growing locations, food types and capital requirements in cities. Australia is especially vulnerable to climate extremes and isolation, so this need is heightened. Growing food in Australian cities is muddled in a complex array of policy and statutory measures which seldom promote urban agriculture and often prohibit it. This is grounded in long-standing planning policy in the anglosphere of separating land uses. Circling back further in history however, shows a long tradition of multi-functional land use spaces in cities. It is this principle that offers a chance to genuinely improve local food production and strengthen a resilient food network in Australian cities. The multi-functional space approach views urban land and buildings to be capable of many uses, especially the ability to cultivate food. Along with water, food is a daily and recurrent need, so cohabitation of urban spaces is essential to reduce the current dependence on importation to cities that produces immeasurable waste, emissions and social injustice. Innovation in production, community support and investment are critical components, but all are enabled by a planning system that supports multi-functional land use and gives food its commensurate place in city planning.