This Article is part of 3 part blog series based on the book “Urban Greenhouse and the Future of Food” that illustrates the results of Student Challenge “Design the Ultimate Urban Greenhouse” and shares the visions of experts involved.

Can urban agriculture (UA) contribute to more socially just cities?

Before answering this question, we should take some steps back because definitions do matter. UA is defined as the growing, processing and distribution of food taking place in and around the city. These operations are meant to not only provide food for citizens but also to contribute to urban environmental, social and economic sustainability. All in all, UA has the potential to reshape and renew our cities by breaking through the rural-urban dichotomy and by bridging urban dwellers to local food systems. Long story short, the potential is great and it seems inevitable that UA “will become part of our urban metabolism”. How will it be integrated, is a question that must be asked.