With 700 urban farms and gardens in New York City, a new report calls for a comprehensive approach to managing the city's urban agriculture, and offers recommendations for maximizing coordination between city agencies and urban farmers.
The report, called "Five Borough Farm: Seeding the Future of Urban Agriculture" seeks to coalesce key stakeholders in support of urban agriculture. Jared Green reports, "[t]he project seeks to create a comprehensive 'road map' with the goal of helping stakeholders - policymakers, community groups, farmers, and designers - 'understand and weigh the benefits' of urban agriculture, while making a compelling case for significantly ramping up local government support for this growing field. Basically, if you've been looking for a thorough examination of all the policy aspects of urban farming, this is it."
The benefits of urban gardening have been well-understood for some time, and the practice has been growing in popularity across the U.S. "But, unfortunately, in New York and so many other cities, there's still a disconnect between official policy and the bottom-up grassroots movement being led by gardeners, farmers, and landscape architects," writes Green.
Some of the greatest "obstacles to future growth" include challenges in obtaining resources (soil, growing space, tools), financing, and race and class issues. Proponents hope a comprehensive approach will help increase local government support, financing, and promote a better understanding of urban agriculture's role in the city's economy and public health.
FULL STORY: A road map for urban agriculture in NYC
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
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