Environment

Growing food in cities has many positive effects on the environment and lots of urban agriculture projects have clear environmental objectives as part of their primary aims.

Producing and consuming food in close proximity as in a city helps reduce food miles and packaging and offers the opportunity for efficient waste recycling through composting schemes. The organic nature of many urban agriculture projects helps decrease reliance on oil based agrochemicals, improve soil quality and reduce contamination. Converting urban land to green space also increases biodiversity, improves air quality and prevents habitat destruction when the countryside is converted to cropland. Additionally the educational aspect of many urban agriculture projects raises public awareness of environmental issues and can create green jobs.

Below is a list of publications and projects that demonstrate environment benefits of urban agriculture.