Growing food to grow cities? The potential of agriculture foreconomic and community development in the urban United States

Abstract

Agriculture has become a focus of planning for urban regeneration in the United States. However, to make agriculture an impactful part of urban community and economic development – rather than a passing fad – it is vital to identify its most effective forms. This paper reports on field research in six cities in the United States where municipalities, nonprofit organizations and residents are deploying farming and gardening for diverse economic development objectives. Our findings suggest that despite expectations that urban agriculture will attract capital, create jobs and tax ratables and increase property values in preparation for ‘higher-value’ development, its greatest potential is in social enterprise, supplementing incomes, developing human and social capital and promoting food security.