About the project
NMBU in cooperation with the Science Park Campus Ås, Eriksen and Skajaa Architects, Nabolagshager, University of Copenhagen, Malmö University, Coventry University, London Metropolitan University, Aachen University, the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus, The Oslo’s Municipality Agency for Urban Environment, and the Norwegian Farmers’ Union present an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented project addressing the potentials of urban agriculture (UA) as a driving force of a sustainability transition in contemporary Norwegian cities. Our major focus is social sustainability, in particular the concerns related to the quality of life and social justice in a compact city. In addition, we address the environmental, and the economic dimension of the transition. We focus on the following themes, related to the three thematic areas set out in the Byforsk call:
- The social dimension: UA initiatives approached as an arena for the development of urban dwellers’ capabilities, i.e. real, multidimensional opportunities to do and be what people have reason to value (Nussbaum 2010). In this, UA contributes to individuals’ growth, sustaining social justice, promoting health, building social capital, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in a compact city.
- The environmental/spatial dimension: UA approached as an integral element of public space development, stimulating innovative landscape architecture/urban design solutions and new functional programs. In this context we also address the “know how” of green production (types of plants, maintenance routines, etc.). We consider spatial planning and legal concerns related to the integration of UA in existing and newly developed public spaces in Norway.
- The economic dimension: UA approached as a stimulant for innovation through the development of smart solutions supporting UA in Norway (a mobile app) and innovative landscape architecture solutions. The compact city model, dominant in Norway and other European countries, typically creates a strong alliance between climate abatement objectives and urban economic development. However, the model and its implementation frequently overlook social concerns related to the quality of life and social justice. We address this challenge by proposing a multidimensional strategy to enhance the quality of urban life based on systematic integration of UA in public spaces.
Financer:
Norwegian Research Council