Guerrilla Gardens Go Legit

"Guerrilla gardening" is a growing movement where urban gardeners tend to vegetables on unused public land. But the allure of the illegal may disappear in Vancouver as city officials declare it legal.

1 minute read

May 25, 2011, 5:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Vancouver city officials will let residents grow crops along roadsides, as skyrocketing food prices drive a huge increase in urban agriculture.

Vancouver was already at the forefront of urban gardening, with 70 community gardens. But Ethan Baron reports that demand is so great that all 70 now have waiting lists:

"With waits as long as three years for the city-serviced community garden plots, many people are turning to unauthorized 'guerrilla gardens,' one of the most impressive of which was started by a wheelchair-bound man along unused railroad tracks by Granville Island."

The city has rarely, if ever, prosecuted people for guerrilla gardening, but officials are apparently looking at ways to allow unused roadside spaces for growing food.

Thanks to Steven Godfrey

FULL STORY: Guerrilla gardens going mainstream

Friday, May 20, 2011 in The Province

Land Use North America Urban Food;

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

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.