Urban lessons around globe
From the April 2007 edition of Agriculture Today.
Agriculture located near rapid urbanisation is reinventing itself in some countries, becoming an integrated and sustainable part of urban development.
This is one of the findings in a newly released report by the Department of Primary Industries’ leader on urban agriculture, David Mason.
Mr Mason, based at the department’s Hawkesbury office, undertook an eight week Churchill Fellowship study tour to Singapore, the Netherlands, UK, USA and Canada.
“In the Netherlands agriculture is seen as part of urbanisation whereas in Australia, the situation has traditionally been dealt with as either/or,” Mr Mason said.
“Europe is urbanising rapidly. At the same time agriculture is in transition from post WWII modernisation to a new rural environment, where agriculture is seen and dealt with as part of a mix of disciplines.”
Those disciplines include natural resource management, tourism, landscape management, resource/ waste recycling, direct marketing, and rehabilitation and care of injured or intellectually handicapped people.
The multi-functional approach generates off-farm income and brings urban capital into rural areas.
“These functions compliment the main economic thrust of the Dutch agricultural industry which has responded to a market opportunity to produce and value-add food for health and fashion and to grow exotic plants for fashion.”
The perceived public health contribution and relative freshness of local food has resulted in a trend in the demand for local/urban food in North America.
“This is certainly the case in Canada, after a consistent and cohesive public awareness effort,” Mr Mason said.
“Travelling by bus to Vancouver Airport to catch my flight home, I sat in front of two women discussing food.
“They were saying that they now seek local food because of its freshness, reduced food miles – which refers to a reduction in transport emissions – and because it helps local farmers to remain on their farms.
“This was consistent with what I had heard as a result of surveys conducted in Canada,” Mr Mason said.
Baltimore (Maryland, US) provides an example of how local food and beverage is playing a significant role in the development of a sustainable community in the suburb of South Baltimore.
“There I observed how local food and beverage is a catalyst for a sense of place and belonging, which is fundamental to a sustainable community,” Mr Mason said.
Contact David Mason, Richmond, (02) 4588 2144, david.mason@dpi.nsw.gov.au
