Urban agriculture

Urban agriculture‏‎, also known as urban farming or urban gardening, is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas. This practice can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agroforestry, urban beekeeping, and horticulture.

History

Urban agriculture has a long history, with evidence of urban gardens in ancient Egypt and Rome. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, urban agriculture was a common response to periods of food scarcity or economic hardship, such as during the First and Second World Wars.

Types of Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture can take many forms, including:

• Community gardens: These are plots of land, usually in urban areas, that are rented by individuals or groups for private gardens or are for the benefit of the people caring for the garden.
• Rooftop farming: This is the practice of cultivating food on the rooftop of buildings.
• Vertical farming: This is the practice of producing food in vertically stacked layers, such as in a skyscraper, used warehouse, or shipping container.
• Hydroponics: This is a method of growing plants without soil by instead using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Benefits

Urban agriculture can offer several benefits, including the potential for sustainable urban development, increased local food security, improved health and well-being, and opportunities for community building.

Challenges

Despite its benefits, urban agriculture also faces several challenges, such as limited space, soil contamination, and the need for specific skills and knowledge.

See Also

• Sustainable agriculture
• Local food
• Food security
• Urban horticulture