Urban gardening is sprouting to life across America, but urban locales in the developing world "have incorporated horticulture into their urban planning" for decades. In Africa, urbanization is threatening these essential parts of the food system.
Michaeleen Doucleff reports on findings noted in a survey published last week by the Food and Agriculture Organization, which concludes that urban farming is at risk in many African cities, where up to 50% of families grow food to eat and sell.
Although urban farming comes in a variety of forms and scales in African cities, "the survey finds that one type of urban farming trumps all others
when it came to feeding the most people: 'market gardening,' or farming
on commercially-owned and irrigated lots in cities."
"Market
gardens are 'one of the most productive farming systems in Africa,' the
report says. They produce almost all leafy vegetables eaten in five of
Africa's largest cities, where 22 million people reside," notes Doucleff. "Market gardens also generate local employment, create urban green belts and can even recycle city waste."
"But the FAO says market gardens are the most threatened by Africa's
growth spurt since they're not typically regulated or supported by
governments. Many of them operate on 'fuzzy,' or illegal terms, and
could lose their right to farm anytime."
"Local
governments need to nurture and protect these urban gardens, the report
says."
FULL STORY: Urbanization Puts Farms In Africa's Cities At Risk

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)