Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture has experienced a renaissance in recent decades. What are the possibilities for sustainable urban agriculture that supports multiple ecosystem services? This module explores ways in which urban agriculture can aid in the enhancement of food security, biodiversity, energy conservation, public health, and well-being in cities. We will discuss the agro-ecological basis of urban horticultural systems adapted for city environments. Topics include fundamentals of horticulture, soil properties and fertility, pest and pollinator management, animal agriculture, and climate change impacts. Here we will focus on urban environments and small-scale production systems. The students will learn about methods of urban agriculture and innovative approaches to ecologically-oriented and climate-resilient urban agriculture, including new technological developments in food production (e.g., vertical farming, hydroponics). In addition, they will study how urban food production interacts with social, cultural, and political dimensions of urban environments (e.g. city policy, economics, human health) to foster an interdisciplinary understanding.

On successful completion of the module, participants are able to:

1. Understand important agroecological aspects of urban agriculture such as biodiversity, soil management, and climate mitigation;
2. Relate social aspects of urban agriculture to environmental aspects such as public health and urban policy;
3. Apply interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks to urban agricultural systems;
4. Evaluate the environmental and social context of urban agriculture;
5. Create a strategy for a sustainable urban agricultural system in a project;
6. Communicate their strategy with understanding and evidence.

The course assessment takes the form of a semester-long project that is structured into several phases (initiation, problem definition, assignment of roles, brainstorming, development of criteria, decision-making, implementation, presentation, and written evaluation). Students develop an independent concept in the field of sustainable urban agriculture (e.g., on topics such as sustainable food production, biodiversity, circular economy/systems, agroforestry, planetary health, education for sustainable development, water-energy-food nexus or socioeconomic aspects). The project assignment includes: • a written project report (approx 20 pages) (60% of grade), and • a presentation and discussion of the project results within a flipped-classroom setting (45-60 min + 15 min discussion) (40% of grade). As part of the flipped-classroom format, student groups prepare and facilitate a session based on the findings of their project. They communicate key concepts, lead a structured discussion with their peers, and critically reflect on the implications of their proposed urban agriculture strategy. The written report assesses the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and develop interdisciplinary solutions for urban agriculture. The presentation and discussion assess the students' ability to communicate evidence-based strategies, justify decisions and engage in scientific discourse. Group work is permitted; individual contributions must be identifiable and assessed separately.

Basic knowledge in agriculture, landscape planning, and landscape ecology is an advantage

• Egerer, M. & Cohen, H. (2021) Urban Agroecology: Interdisciplinary Research and Future Directions. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Carpenter, N., & Rosenthal, W. (2011). The essential urban farmer. Penguin. Zeunert, J. (2018). Dimensions of urban agriculture. In Routledge handbook of landscape and food (pp. 160-184). Routledge. Zimmerer, K. S., Bell, M. G., Chirisa, I., Duvall, C. S., Egerer, M., Hung, P. Y., ... & Yacamán Ochoa, C. (2021). Grand challenges in urban agriculture: ecological and social approaches to transformative sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 668561.

The module is highly interactive and combines lectures with field trips and presentations from guests and peers. The lecture series will cover topics including: fundamentals of horticulture; soil management; pest and pollinator management; urban agriculture and climate change; challenges of urban agriculture; public health; technological developments and the business of urban agriculture. The seminars are based on experiential learning. In the seminars, we will 'see' cities as edible: in the present on field trips; in the past through films and advanced readings; and in the future through group presentations that design urban farming systems for future cities. The module combines lectures, seminars, field trips and project-based learning. Parts of the seminar follow a flipped-classroom approach. Students prepare selected topics independently through assigned readings and other learning materials before class. Classroom sessions focus on the application and discussion of concepts, collaborative project work, peer learning and critical reflection. Within the flipped-classroom format, students present and discuss project outcomes with their peers. The teaching staff provide guidance throughout the semester and ensure the scientific quality and academic depth of both the project work and the classroom discussions.