Dalhousie University Offers Urban Agriculture Courses

Welcome – Introduction To Urban And Peri-Urban Agriculture

Professor Robert L. France
ENVA 2003 Introduction to Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (A) (H)
CREDIT HOURS: 3

Long considered a sustenance necessity in the Global South, peri-urban and urban agriculture (UA) is experiencing a resurgence in popularity in developed nations, with thousands of projects being implemented in cities across North America, Europe, and Asia. This course will provide an introduction and overview to the science, society, design, and development of UA projects around the world. Topics to be considered include historical precedents (e.g. allotments and community gardens), foundations (e.g. food systems and food literacy, urban regeneration, aesthetics and design), and technical elements (e.g. soil and water management, municipal planning).

This course will be taught on-line with weekly ‘lab’ meetings in which students are interlinked via the inter-campus AV networking system (so that no travel is required). Assignments will have enough latitude to appeal to students who are interested in any or all of the agriculture and food, sustainability and planning, international development and urban regeneration, and individual health and social well-being.
NOTES: Winter semester
FORMAT: Online Delivery

Introduction To Urban And Peri-Urban Agriculture

Science, Society, Design & Development

Weeks 1,2

Module 1. Introduction & Historical Background
• City planning & edible landscapes
• Allotments & victory gardens
• Community gardens
• Developing World sustenance & food security
• Locavore movement & farmers’ markets
• Increased popularity
• Integrative & multidisciplinary approach
• Socio-ecosystemic
• Case study precedents

Weeks 3,4,5,6

Module 2. Foundations
• Food systems
• Commercial endeavors
• Aesthetics & design
• Planning & policy (top-down)
• Informal & grassroots (bottom-up)
• Education & food literacy
• Individual & community well-being
• Physical & mental health
• Crime & recovery
• Site regeneration & community revitalization
• Job creation
• Food justice
• International development

Weeks 7,8

Module 3. Technical Elements
• Science
• Soil
• Water
• Compost
• Plants
• Livestock & bees
• Urban wilds & biodiversity
• Energy conservation

Weeks 9,10

Module 4. Operational Elements
• Society
• Municipalities
• Management
• Regulations & legalisms
• Support & funding
• Who benefits?

Weeks 11,12

Integrative Final Projects
• Student projects

Link to course.

Link to Campus Agriculture.