The Urban Gardening Symposium, held on 21st November at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, brought together experts to discuss the future of urban agriculture in response to the expected global population surge to 10 billion by 2050, with 68% living in urban areas.
This rapid urbanisation will increase food demand and place significant pressure on land, water, and other resources, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable planning and management of food production within and around cities. The symposium explored various dimensions of urban gardening, from small-scale initiatives such as rooftop, balcony, and backyard gardens to larger operations on city fringes, focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, economic feasibility, and governance.
The Feed4Food project participated in the symposium, represented by Dr Vassilis Litskas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilis-litskas-6511b3ba/), who showcased the Strovolos Living Lab initiative. Located in Cyprus, this innovative project exemplifies sustainability-driven urban agriculture. It emphasises zero-environmental-impact farming through the cultivation of indigenous crops, water-saving techniques, and the reuse of municipal waste for composting. These practices aim to address challenges such as high heat and water stress by implementing water harvesting, efficient irrigation, and natural shade management strategies. The lab has already made significant progress, including site preparation, infrastructure development, and initial crop testing.
A key aspect of the Strovolos Living Lab is its commitment to inclusive community engagement. The project actively involves vulnerable groups, such as low-income families, the elderly, migrants, and individuals with physical and mental challenges. By fostering social integration and promoting self-reliance, the initiative aims to strengthen community resilience and cohesion. Partnerships with the municipality of Strovolos, NGOs, and local educational institutions enhance training opportunities, knowledge exchange, and community outreach efforts.
Economically, the project provides vital support to the local community by supplying fresh, healthy produce to social grocery stores. This not only improves food security but also creates income opportunities, contributing to the local economy. The initiative is designed to be scalable and replicable, with plans to expand its impact beyond Strovolos. Entities like the Christos and Stelios Ioannou Foundation have expressed their commitment to supporting this growth.
After the introduction of Feed4Food project leader, Lia Van Wesenbeeck, other presentations at the symposium reinforced the global significance of urban agriculture. Case studies from places like Benin, presented by Ben Sonneveld, and conceptual frameworks for designing sustainable urban agricultural systems highlighted diverse approaches and challenges. Topics ranged from growing edible cities, Community, solidarity, inclusivity and sustainable livelihoods, by Ann Doherty to a conceptual framework to design and assess sustainable urban agricultural systems, from Pierre Chopin. These discussions underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovative solutions in addressing the complexities of urban food systems.
In summary, the symposium provided a platform for sharing insights and best practices, where the Feed4Food project had the opportunity to share the experience of the Living Lab in Strovolos, standing out as a model of sustainable, inclusive urban agriculture that can inspire similar initiatives.
