Urban sustainability: Integrating permaculture into city feeding

How do we sustainably feed our growing urban populations? This question, one of the most pressing of our time, often goes unasked. We take for granted that if we go into a shop or restaurant, there will be food available, almost as if by magic. However, when considering that a city the size of London requires a continuous supply of food – produced, transported, bought, sold, cooked, eaten, and disposed of – it is remarkable that cities are fed at all. This blogpost will explore the potential of permaculture to transform urban food supply chains, comparing traditional systems with permaculture-based approaches.

Permaculture is not merely about agriculture; it is a holistic philosophy that can transform our cities into sustainable, liveable environments. By integrating permaculture into urban planning, we enhance city sustainability and resilience.

The challenge of feeding cities

Cities like London need vast amounts of food daily, yet current systems are inefficient. By 2050, urban populations are expected to double, increasing food demand and consumption of meat and dairy. Presently, producing one calorie of food requires about ten calories of fossil fuel energy, and a third of global grain is fed to livestock, highlighting resource inefficiencies.

Permaculture in urban planning

Core principles of permaculture:

• Caring for the Earth: Preserving natural resources and maintaining ecological balance.
• Caring for people: Ensuring that basic needs are met while fostering resilient, self-sufficient communities.
• Sharing surplus: Limiting consumption and redistributing excess to promote sustainability and social equity.

Permaculture can be integrated into urban planning to create self-sustaining ecosystems within cities. This approach transforms urban areas into productive landscapes where food production is a central component.

Successful examples: In Alicante, Spain, architect Irina del Olmo Leung has successfully implemented permaculture principles to enhance urban food sustainability and improve quality of life. By incorporating edible landscapes, community gardens, and closed-loop systems, such projects demonstrate the potential of permaculture in addressing urban food challenges.

Impact on urban design

Permaculture revolutionizes urban planning by embedding food production into the very fabric of city design. Traditional urban food supply chains rely on centralized production and long-distance transportation, leading to significant carbon footprints and food wastage. In contrast, permaculture-based systems localize food production, reducing the need for transportation and its associated environmental impact.

Traditional urban food supply chains

1. Centralized production: Food is produced in large, industrial farms often located far from urban centers.
2. Long-distance transportation: Food travels hundreds or thousands of miles to reach city markets, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Resource inefficiency: Heavy reliance on fossil fuels and significant wastage of resources, such as water and energy.

Permaculture-based systems

1. Localized production: Food is grown within or near urban areas, utilizing spaces like rooftop gardens and community farms.
2. Efficient resource use: Permaculture promotes the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner, such as rainwater harvesting and composting.
3. Community engagement: Local residents participate in food production, fostering a sense of community and self-sufficiency.

For instance, urban farms and community gardens can provide fresh produce to local residents, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and the associated environmental impact. Additionally, these green spaces contribute to biodiversity, improve air quality, and offer recreational opportunities for urban dwellers.

Ancient wisdom and modern practices

The integration of agriculture and urbanism is not a new concept. About 10,000 years ago, in the Fertile Crescent, agriculture and urbanism emerged simultaneously. Early cities were compact, surrounded by productive farmland, and dominated by temple complexes that acted as central food distribution centers. This historical precedent highlights the potential for modern cities to adopt similar strategies.

The future of sustainable cities

Embracing permaculture in urban design is crucial for achieving sustainability. It offers an opportunity to redesign our interactions with both natural and urban environments. By using food as a tool, we can transform our cities into models of sustainability and resilience.

As urban populations grow, incorporating permaculture principles into planning can mitigate urbanization's environmental impacts, support local economies, and improve residents' quality of life. Permaculture offers a holistic approach that integrates food production, environmental stewardship, and community resilience, enabling cities to meet ecological, economic, and social needs.

Let us embrace permaculture's potential to create healthier, more sustainable cities for the future.

References

Segui, P. (n.d.). Cuando la permacultura dise?a ciudades. OVACEN. https://ovacen.com/permacultura/#google_vignette.

Steel, C. (2009). Carolyn Steel: La comida da forma a nuestras ciudades [Video]. TED. https://youtu.be/CLWRclarri0?si=anJb-9-TgzBDg0uc.

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.?https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda.