LIVE PROJECT 04 GROWING (IN) TODMORDEN SSoA University of Sheffield 2011
COMPENDIUM
PREFACE ‘You-Can-Say-Yes-Compendium’ has two parts, concerned with commons in both its material dimensions (food) and immaterial ones (knowledge, skills, languages, practices): Part 1 / Introducing Food Commons and Part 2 / Case Study: Todmorden. It is hoped that this resource will inspire those who are concerned with the origin of their food to become actively engaged with its production as well as encourage discussions and cooperation between local people and larger institutions such as committees and councils through highlighting the value of publically managed projects.
WHO WE ARE... We are a group of twelve University of Sheffield master students. For the first six weeks of each academic year we work on a ‘live project’; working with a client on a project that an established architecture practice wouldn’t normally undertake. Our group includes architects, landscape architects and urban designers. In conjunction with ‘Incrediblle Edible Todmorden’, we have undertaken a research project into the topic of ‘food commons’. To produce the work for this compendium we have: * conducted a review into the current literature available on the subject of commons * conducted an investigation into existing ‘food commons’ throughout the world * made connections with the people in the locality of the project. * hosted a two day workshop on behalf of the ‘ECO Nomadic School Workshop’, an organisation concerned with the mutual learning and teaching of eco-civic practices in different regions of Europe, involving participants of diverse ages and social and cultural backgrounds
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE
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WHO WE ARE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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KEY SYMBOLS
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PART 1/...INTRODUCING FOOD COMMONS
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* EXPLAINING COMMONS
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* DEFINING FOOD COMMONS
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* PRECEDENTS
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* HINDERING FACTORS
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* STUDIES AND FINDINGS
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PART 2/...CASE STUDY TODMORDEN
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* INTRODUCING INCREDIBLE EDIBLE
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* PUBLIC OPINION
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* CONCLUSION
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* LIST OF REFERENCES
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KEY SYMBOLS
Land
Community
Community Reuse Collective governance Experimental Education
Networks
Business
Housing
Education
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PART 1 /... INTRODUCING FOOD COMMONS
“Ordinary people are discovering that they aren’t helpless in the face of global turmoil. They don’t have to leave the answers to the experts. With small and apparently insignificant actions, they can change the world around them and discover their own worth in the process” Julian Dobson 03
YOU ARE 1 OF 7 BILLION PEOPLE
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LIVING ON EARTH
Setting the scene Each year there are more and more mouths to feed and less and less land on which to grow food. Nearly 20 per cent of the world’s cultivable land has been severely damaged and is no longer fit for growing crops. Meanwhile at a local level, communities struggle to sustain themselves as money is poured into the global economy rather than supporting the businesses that are on our doorsteps. We are in a time of extraordinary opportunity. After a decade of seismic shocks, from global terrorism to deep recessions, each of the three legs of sustainability – the environment, the economy, and the social equity of our communities – is in crisis. Nikolaus Geyrhalter’s film Our Daily Bread presents the reality of modern day food production and hi-tech farming. Conveyor belts and surreal landscapes are part of a monumental scale of farming upon which supermarkets, and in turn we, have come to depend.
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What does it take to feed us? Can we realistically feed ourselves by growing locally?
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2000
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Calories per day
Football pitch per year
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8000
Family
Calories per day
Todmorden
2 Football pitches per year
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Inhabitants
Size of Todmorden Town
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# UK trend in food prices in real terms, January 1998 to June 20111 115 110 105 100 95 90
Currently we use 36% of the earth’s area for pasture and crops alone (1994 Rachel F. Preisen). We’re destroying 19 billion hectares of rainforest each year and to help us maintain our level of food consumption. It is impossible to keep up the population growth at its current rate, but the population is inevitably rising and so we need to find more efficient ways to use the land.
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Our food production system creates wealth for some, but it leaves many others, even in wealthy countries like the UK, to go hungry. More and more of our food comes from companies that dominate the market and take massive profits, equally more and more of our farmers and business owners face an increasing struggle to survive the tough economic climate.
what does the future of agriculture look like
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EXPLAINING COMMONS
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reaction to traditional power structures
governed by local networks
shared responsibility
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shared resources between communities
sustainable through generations
What is a commons? A commons is the result of a shift from centralised hierarchical institutions to distributed local networks of “peer-to-peer� participants. Formed as a reaction to traditional power structures they can be described as grass roots projects and reflect a shared desire of local people to take control of their own environments. Commons can be concerned with both material dimensions (such as food and land) and immaterial ones (such as knowledge and skills). There is a variety of economic, environmental and social reasons to establish a commons and examples can be found across the world as a successful method of managing resources.
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What is a food commons? A food commons is a community of people actively concerned with the origins of their food, sharing responsibility for an area of land and the crop that is harvested. A successful project can result in numerous benefits for a local community, and is able to meet its changing needs. Food commons is a term that we have given to the growing number of projects that offer a localised system for food production, distribution and consumption. When taken together they can be seen as advanced enough to constitute an emerging economic sector. IT’S A FOOD REVOLUTION! The scale and ambitions of a commons can vary; however, there are a number of shared concerns and ideals that link these projects together. “Since the late 1990s, the agricultural sector in the United Kingdom has undergone significant shifts, including greater opportunities for Local Food Systems. This shift has been driven by concerns over environmental protection, as well as public health and food safety, especially following the outbreak of mad cow disease (BSE) in 1996, the foot and mouth epidemic in 2001, and the controversy over genetically modified food. These events have undermined consumers’ trust in food.” (Local Food Systems in Europe, 2010, FAAN, p15)
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SITOS [FOOD] + TOPOS [PLACE]: SITOPIA [FOOD PLACE] Carolyn Steel, a London-based architect and the author of Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives proposes Sitopia: a place where the central role of food is recognised and its potential used to shape the world for the better. “There is growing recognition that, far from waning as an issue, food is set to become our greatest global challenge. The trick is to scale up such recognition to the point where it affects not just our daily habits, but our socio-economic structures, cross-cultural understanding, and value systems” (Book: Steel, Carolyn. 2009. Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives. Random House) “Food is what connects us all to each other and to the natural world, which makes it an incredibly powerful medium for thinking and acting collaboratively.” (Web Journal: Hungry City Book, Carolyn Steel, June 6th 2008)
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The benefits of Sitopia #1 Society In Steel’s Sitopia everyone has equal access to food regardless of physical or economic factors. A community is enhanced by sharing decision-making and providing a common ground for social interaction. It follows that a social support system is strengthened that is based on values irrespective of age, income or culture. “If you eat, you’re in.” (Incredible Edible Todmorden motto) #2 Culture The system prioritises fresh, vital, healthy (no chemicals) food, supports local traditions, and links food to a common ground for producers and consumers #3 Economy Through a shortened supply chain the Sitopia promotes cooperation between producers, allocating more value to producers and making business relations more transparent. An autonomous agricultural system is built that creates jobs and increases the sustainability of local economies. #4 Environment Addressing global environment concerns encompasses the Sitopian system. Not only can our use of resources across the planet be made dramatically more efficient, but local-level issues e.g. neglected and unproductive use of land can be addressed by a community.
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Benefits and increasing popularity of food commons
#1 Society Guaranteeing equal access to food (physical and economic), enhancing solidarity between citizens, encouraging collaborative decision-making, avoiding corporate influence and increasing responsive local government. Providing common ground for local people and professionals to work together in innovative ways. Irrespective of age, income or culture IF YOU EAT, YOU’RE IN
#2 Culture Prioritising local, fresh unprocessed food, preserving and supporting local skills and traditions. Consumers and producers are brought closer through the process of food production.
#3 Economy Enhancing ethics (fair, transparent business relations), increasing autonomy towards the agricultural system, promoting viable livelihood, makes jobs, promoting cooperation between producers, allocating more of that value to producers, negotiating fair prices between producers and consumers, keeping money in the community.
#4 Environment Encompassing global issues (e.g. climate change) as well as local-level environmental issues e.g. addressing underused land, neglected, irresponsible and unproductive use of land. Allowing and encouraging communities to take responsibility. Due to the local sourcing and production of food this model is using less fuel and is more sustainable. 18
Current food production system relies on cheap but dwindling and irreplaceable fossil fuels and fossil water, exploitation of vulnerable populations, and the ability to shift the cost of socalled “externalities” – including soil erosion, toxic chemical residues, and climate change – from more affluent to less affluent countries and communities, and from current to future generations.
The transportation of food products globally, is not sustainable, and localised food systems have the potential to increase food security, food access, and health, and to re-establish land stewardship and food culture.
Ethics - cruelty to animals and poor working conditions is implied by the current food production system. Food commons suggests more ethical approaches to farming.
The food industry has come to be dominated by a small number of “toobig to-fail� agribusinesses and mega-retail chains. In recent decades Montsanto have patented nearly every seed on the market, then destroyed all but one meaning they own the market. Whoever controls the seeds controls the food.
The current recession has revealed some of the deep flaws in our current global economic paradigm, and invigorated thinking about new, more sustainable economic models that take into acac count the world’s finite resources, growing population, and need for more equitable distribution of wealth and power.
We need to reduce dietrelated chronic disease by the increased consumption of nutritious, fresh and locally sourced foods. This will in turn reduce health care costs and at the same time create a healthier citizenry.
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DEFINING FOOD COMMONS
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“For the past 50 years, food has become increasingly plentiful and cheap in the West, but whatever price we pay for it in the supermarket, its true cost to the planet is many times higher‌ the modern food industry has made us reliant on unsustainable processes, while obscuring our vital relationship with natureâ€? (Book: Steel, Carolyn. 2009. Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives. Random House) Food commons challenge our current system and when successful provide an alternative to it. They do not necessarily seek to replace the supermarket model, however, as long supply chains force food prices to rise it seems inevitable that more and more people will look for other ways to access food. 23
LAND Land is a fundamental resource for a food commons and can be difficult to gain access to. Currently almost half of the land in the UK is privately owned and so permission must be gained before a local group can begin to use it. This would require a contract and agreement to be made between the landowner and other stakeholders Greenfield land Brownfield land involved Public land in the project. Examples of farmers renting their land for public use can be seen in a number of schemes. Public land is owned by the government and the way in which it is used is decided by councils and other authourities. There is potential for agreements to be made with local planners about taking control of responsibility for these pieces of land. The cooperation between local authorities # Public libraries land from and interested can varydeveloped a great deal Usually agriculturallocal or groupsPreviously that has potential for amenity land the edge However, borough to on borough. withthenew legislation bebeing redeveloped. It is of a town or city that has ing introduced as a result ofoften theland localism bill it is possible that’s been used urban development prothat an increasing amount of responsibility will indeed be for industrial or commercial posed for it. It is often and may be left passed to groups at apurpose local level. bought fordown land investment as planning might be more likely in these areas.
contaminated as a result.
# Churches
A privately owned area of external or internal space used by its owner for agricultural purposes. 24
Private / owned land
Land owned by individu or a business entity. Ov the course of a few hun years much of Britain’s became privately owned and today nearly half of land in the UK is owned 0.06 percent of the popu tion.
# Growing on r
Land used for production of both crops and livestock. # Parks
Sharing a land for a purposes
LAND
Greenfield land
Usually agricultural or amenity land on the edge of a town or city that has urban development proposed for it. It is often bought for land investment as planning might be more likely in these areas.
Brownfield land
Previously developed land that has the potential for being redeveloped. It is often land that’s been used for industrial or commercial purpose and may be left contaminated as a result.
Public land
# Public libraries
# Churches
A privately owned area of external or internal space used by its owner for agricultural purposes.
Domestic growing space
Alternative growing spaces
Land owned by individuals or a business entity. Over the course of a few hundred years much of Britain’s land became privately owned and today nearly half of the land in the UK is owned by 0.06 percent of the populapopula tion.
# Growing on walls
# Growing on roofs
Land used for production of both crops and livestock. # Parks
Existing agricultural land
Private / owned land
Sharing a piece of land for agricultural purposes
Land share 25
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SOCIAL STRUCTURE_COMMUNITY
Land
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“The central idea of such systems is a commitment to social co-operation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations� (Local Food Systems in Europe, 2010, FAAN, p14) between production and consumption. Sustainable communities and community engagement. Collective action. Developed closer, trust-based relation ships with consumers as well as a connection to physical place and community. Building co-operation between diverse stakeholders.
#V Ind olu pa ividu ntee wit rticip als w rs h p ate h ers in o on act al init ivitie iat s ive
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# COMMUNITY
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Land
Community
Collective governance
The physical exercise of managing power and policymaking by a group of individuals. In a food commons the governing group would take responsibility for making decisions about strategic choices that affect the running of the project. Decentralised governance brings the decision making process closer to the people to whom those decisions concern. A successful collective government is sustainable and makes decisions in the interest of the common good.
Education
Networks
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EDUCATION Land Practical learning and theoretical learning is vital to producing a sustainable food commons. A stigma has become attached to learning practical trades such as farming and gardening that does not reflect the fact that food production is essential to our survival. Through introducing people to field work at an early age and Community continuing a broad education of environmental matters (political, scientific, social etc) a generation of people who are more engaged with the land and how tocare for it will emerge. It is also necessary to continue education beyond schools. Farming techniques Collective and scientific research are always being tested and to ensure that land is being governance used efficiently producers will continue to need mentoring from other farmers and support organisations to keep their knowledge up-to-date.
Community
Reuse
Experimental
Education Knowledge is shared between individuals within a community, through other networks, and passed from one generation to the next. This is education in its broadest sense.
NETWORKS
Networks
Networks operate on many scales, locally they can be formal or informal links between groups that help to share knowledge and resources between communities. For newly established or small groups becoming a member of a larger network offers them credibility and an immediate identity. Without these networks and their visions, specific initiatives may remain weak or even fail.
Housing
Through forming links with established umbrella-organisationsh* credibility is gained which makes it easier to gain funding and also the support of more members of the community. Umbrella organisations can link networks and groups of people that cover a wider area and also a number fields to make information more easily shared, to bridge the gap between communities and those making policy decisions.
Education
More broadly, networks create a sense of something bigger taking place. When taken together the many precedents that we have identified can be seen as part of a growing food revolution. If these projects were linked through a formal network their relevance to the food and agriculture sector may gain a collective influence over policy makers and make a wider audience aware of the agricultural issues that are being faced. 30
Business
primary secondary events Education/ Awareness seminars
training
university
tutorials college
legislation
Practical learning/ Field work
global market workshops
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DRIVE
A D A PT A B IL IT
SIASM THU N E EN D
UR AN CE
T US TR
PAS S I O N
FUN
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C R EA Y ER AV BR
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S N O TI A R PI
VALUES
MO ME NT U
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The ‘Invisible Force’ When thinking of the resources necessary in a food commons, you may firstly think of the physical resources needed i.e. land or money. However after researching many examples and talking to people directly involved in commons, they all come back to the same argument. That is, that the physical resources are in ways irrelevant if the non quantifiable resources are not in place. These non quantifiable resources, that come from the people involved could be termed the ‘invisible force’. The ‘invisible force’ of the project changes the quality of the projects output. For a project to truly succeed and develop over time, the people involved need to have passion, drive, trust, endurance, fun etc. The physical resources, although necessary can only contribute a certain amount.
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PRECEDENTS
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# FIVE BOROUGHS FARM New York U.S.A.
# THE HIGHLINE New York U.S.A.
# THE FOOD HUB Drumshanbo Ireland
# GROWING COMMUNITIES Hackney London
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* * # FARM PROPER San Diego, California U.S.A.
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# SHIPPING CONTAINERS Haiti and the Caribbean region
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* # R-URBAN Colombes NW Paris
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Precedent map
# OBSTE Romania
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# LANDGRAB CITY Shenzhen China
* * # PARK SUPERMARKET Holland
As well as scale, our precedents vary in location, types of land use and governance structure. Through providing this range they may inspire the reader to take active steps towards creating of a food commons in their own community or help to identify a way of increasing the success of an existing project. There is a vibrant and rapidly moving situation in which there are many potential opportunities for new and established community food groups, but which is difficult to keep up with. These precedents may help groups identify what structures will best suit their needs, the needs of their community and is appropriate to the land that is available.
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# GROWING COMMUNITIES by local people in Hackney, East London
Location: Hackney, East London, UK - a social enterprise - run by locals and volunteers - community-led - growing and selling seasonal produce - helping other communities to transform their food through the ‘Start-up Programme’ - help to support over 25 small scale organic farmers and growers by providing them with a regular outlet and a fair price for their produce - offer discount to pensioners - Stoke Newington Farmers' Market every Saturday, 10am-2.30pm, St Paul's Church, Stoke Newington High St, N16 7UY - learning scheme: a. to schools for ‘Learning to grow’ project and b. to adults interested in developing their organic growing skills
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Aims - to provide alternatives to current damaging food system - to work out how to “feed urban populations in the face of climate change and peack oil”
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Growing Communities’ logo
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# R-URBAN
by AAA, Platforma Garanti, AGENCY, PS², public works, Le 56, Jardins Sauvages d'Audra, FCDL, Le 100
o Location: Colombes, NW Paris - new models of ecological living and urban retrofitting - r-urban agency formed by local organisations and the local council - based on localisation - a network of locally closed ecological and cultural cycles linking a series of urban activities - recycling and eco-construction unit - ecological co-op housing unit - civic agriculture unit (micro-farm) - collective and familial uses of land - sites chosen will be a plot project for 4 years testing methods of self-management, self-build and self-production
Aims - to close local circles between production and consumption - to suggest changes in lifestyles - acting ecologically at the level of everyday life
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“WE MUST PRODUCE WHAT WE CONSUME AND CONSUME WHAT WE PRODUCE”
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Habitat
Cooperative ecological housing
Economy
Social and local economy
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0m
- 500
Culture Organic urban agriculture
Agriculture
Local cultural production and trans-local dissemination
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# THE FOOD HUB by Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim
‘The Food Hub’ Work Units 42
“WE MUST PRODUCE WHAT WE CONSUME AND CONSUME WHAT WE PRODUCE”
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Location: Drumshanbo, Leitrim, Ireland Image 15
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- food production facility - operating since 2004 at 3 levels: * landlord level, where it provides 26,000 sq.ft of premium food production space accross 14 independent work units * innovator level, which has ‘timeshare production unit’ where emerging food businesses can produce their products in a fully equipped kitchen which is charged out by the hour with no commitment other than bringing own ingredients * trainer provider level which facilitates and delivers sectoral training programmes for the food sector - provides total employment of 35 people
Aims
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- to house enterpreneurs who may not have the initial seed capital to invest in a startup production facility - to house existing businesses who demand cost effective greater production capacity as their sales volumes increase 43
# OBSTE
by the community members of the Calinesti village in Romania
An obste is a traditional collective governance model exercised in Romania since the 18th century; based on the idea of commons and self-organization. The mosneni, commoners, inherit their right to land and vote through their family. The land and the resources are common and their collectively managed. Each mosneni receives a fraction of the original share, as it has been divided amongst theinheritors the generations. Every obste has a president, a governing body consisting four members. At all meetings shareholders send representatives. Decision making can be a long and laborious process. Mosneni wishing to move away, need to either sell their landshare to another obste member, or have decisions being made in their absence.This model shows fundamental flaws like adaptability and flexibility over the years.
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Furthermore, the lack of trust between the members and the governing body, and the communication between the representatives and the present and absent family members, are obstacles each obste constantly needs to overcome.
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# FIVE BOROUGHS FARM
by the Design Trust for Public Space and Added Value
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Location: New York City, USA - NYC zoning allows people in residential neighborhoods to grow and sell food from home - home gardens are refered as “truck gardens� - producers in the city can keep bees and chickens and produce food - microscale trading - design trust for public space educates growers on existing urban policies on urban agriculture
Aims - to engage people in initiatives to strengthen and improve the social, ecological, and economic wellwell being of their communities and, by extension, the city as a whole - to enable gardeners and farmers to more effectively achieve their goals - to provide evidence to policymakers that urban agriculture is an important part of urban sustainability and should be supported like other municipal infrastructure
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Five Borough Farm, Graphic by Manuel Miranda available at http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/01/five-borough-farm/
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# FARM PROPER by Set + Drift with mi-workshop
REUSE
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industrial allotment space
SUPERMARKET
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abandoned or defunct
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mobile beds
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THE COMMUNITY
o Location: San Diego, California, US Image 21
-mobile urban farm under development in an industrial allotment space -experimental project -using abandoned or defunct shopping carts as growing beds
Aims
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sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Image 22
# CPLU (Continuous Productive Urban Landscape) concept redifined by Bohn&Viljoen Architects
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Image 25 London LeisurEscape. Munton Road, London, before and after implementing a CPUL. In this proposal, the road, which is lightly used by vehicles, would be converted into an urban agricultural field surrounded by cycle and pedestrian ways. Image: Bohn&Viljoen Architects, 2002 Image 23
the CPUL concept - design concept - a strategic and associative framework for the theoretical and practical exploration of productive landscapes within contemporary urban design -describes vision for a sustainable urban future - network connecting existing open urban spaces maintaining or modifying their current uses Image 26
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# SHIPPING CONTAINERS by SEED (Clemson University Research group)
individual housing units
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each owns 1 starter garden
raised beds using reused tires
for “emergency food restoration” Image 27
o Location: Haiti and the Carribean region Image 28
- containers assembled to operate as housing units with antiseismic and wind resistant qualities - each container has 1 starter garden (of a 55 gallon drum filled with dirt and planted) - instant raised beds by using reused tires
Aims - temporarily house displaced community - planting for “emergency food restoration” 50Image 29
# PARK SUPERMARKET by Van Bergen Kolpa Architecten
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division of orchards structure
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o Location: Holland, Europe - new model for urban food production - 4000 acre park divided into production areas for every type of produce - open supermarket
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- for nation’s population to rely more on locally propro duced food 51
# THE HIGHLINE
by Diler + Scofidio with Field operation
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Manhattan West Side Unused freight railway ER
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Planted between railway lines
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o Location: West side Manhattan, NYC, US - new park built atop an unsused freight railway viaduct from the 30’s - planting beds with vegetation benches - creates a microclimate on an old railway insfrastructure
Aims 52
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- to make use of unused land - create a more pleasant environment - generate community activism (planting)
# LANDGRAB CITY
by Joseph Grima, Jeffrey Johnson and JosĂŠ Esparza
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o Location: Shenzhen, China, Asia - installation commissioned by the Shenzhen / Hong Kong Biennalle of Architecture - an accurate scale model of how much farmland it actually takes to feed the city of Shenzhen - each plot is represents a different food group - experimental investigation
Aims - to educate people about where their food is coming from - to visually represent the broader spatial identity of the 21st century metropolis
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HINDERING FACTORS
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Faciltating, Hindering and Shaping factors The precedents have been chosen according to our understanding of commons. Taken together they start to build a picture of how a successful and sustainable commons operates and the facilitating, hindering and shaping factors. The following four titles encompass the factors that are likely to impede a projects success. We have identified these following our own primary research and further reading of similar project analysis such as has been done by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the FAAN project.
#Governance In practice, there are usually a number of aims and objectives that affect the governance of local food project. It is important to manage and reconcile these aims to avoid discontent between stakeholders, as projects will struggle if people involved, particularly volunteers and users, feel dissatisfied. Aims must be prioritised to ensure that the group remains focussed, but must simultaneously be listening to the objectives of group and be flexible to change priorities if required. Those involved in a local project must accept that not all aims can always be met, or acknowledged. Governing policies must be flexible so as to enable the food group to be responsive to the needs of its community. “Local community food projects work best when all those involved, professionals and local people, feel that their concerns are being addressed.” “Indeed, the projects that thrived through the different stages [establishment, consolidation and adaption] were those with volunteer and user agendas to the forefront.” (JRF Food projects and how they work: Pauline McGlone, Barbara Dobson, Elizabeth Dowler and Michael Nelson 1999) If a governing group is not looking to continually evolve to meet changing needs they are likely to find that the benefactors of the project reduce with time, resulting in diminishing community support. The research done by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that for projects to successfully respond to the needs of those involved, it must be ‘owned’ by more than one individual or group. Exclusive ownership invariably led to a project that could not respond to the needs of the community and conflicts would arise.
#Funding Often the funding for local projects is short term and focussed on innovation. The result is that many projects that are established struggle to survive long-term and spend much time and resources chasing small amounts of money or looking for elusive long-term funding. After the initial sum of money necessary to set-up an organisation the flow rate of sponsorships and grants tends to be discontinued and unstable. Insecure funding also leads to difficulties in planning and development. 56
Groups need to take into account the running costs and the source of funds that will enable them to cover these costs. Ideally the group should be able to be largely self-sustained or have a reliable, secure and constant funding scheme.
#Lack of support Food groups usually have a few precious, dedicated and ‘dynamic individuals’ who act as their voice. They attract others by transmitting their own enthusiasm and support to a wider community. However the success of local food groups largely lies on how much participation they receive from their community. Communities will typically make up a large portion of the volunteers, governance structure and often offer financial support. If a project fails to generate community support then they are unlikely to ever become sustainable. Professional support is instrumental in helping projects become successful on a long-term basis. The credibility with local people is very much linked to the amount of support that a project receives and the amount of funding obtained. Having a physical presence, a hub, can be instrumental in increasing the profile of a project in the community. It can facilitate the creation of beneficial relationships and provide a flexible space that could be useful for future diversification of a project. (Good planning for good food: How the planning system in England can support healthy and sustainable food: Sustain 2011)
# Bureaucracy and restrictive policies One of the factors that can discourage people from setting up similar groups is the communication gap between communities and respective official (government) bodies, such as planning authorities and policymakers. By presenting a strong, informed brief, you could “recruit” officials to share your agenda. The ideal scenario would be to involve people from different disciplines at an early stage, to identify the obstacles and offer alternative ways to overcome expected problems. Excessive bureaucracy makes small funds of money difficult to obtain.
SUSTAINED SUCCESS
OBSTACLES
FACTORS LIKELY TO IMPEDE A PROJECT’S SUCCESS
ADAPTING + EXPANDING PROJECT BECOMES STRONGER OR WEAKER CHANGE IN AGENDA, LOCATION, KEY PEOPLE ETC.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT LAND
GOVERNANCE FUNDING BUREAUCRACY AND RESTRICTIVE POLICIES
EDUCATION LACK OF SUPPORT GOVERNANCE NETWORKS
ESTABLISHMENT
GATHERING OF APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AND PEOPLE
KEY PEOPLE KEY IDEAS
IDEA
PROJECT FAILURE
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TRADITIONAL ‘TOP-DOWN’ POLICYMAKING IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR UNDER A CENTRALISED GOVERNMENT
DEFRA
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
SCIENTISTS
PROFESSIONALS RESEARCHERS
‘RESEARCH’
SDRN
(SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH NETWORK)
‘Individual pieces of research are often in the form of case studies, to show how sustaiability principles can be embedded in decision making and lead to behavioural changes. The SDRN aims to promote these examples and use them to influence officials to consider sustainable development when making policies.’
‘FACILTATE THE PROVISION OF RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE TO POLICYMAKERS’ ‘FACILITATE AND STRENGTHEN LINK BETWEEN ‘RESEARCH’ AND ‘POLICY MAKING’ ‘PROMOTE THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH WITH POLICY-MAKING’
‘POLICY MAKERS’ DEFRA
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
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‘PEOPLE ON THE GROUND’
All text referenced from: Sustainable Development Evidence Plan 2011/12 (2011) www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13514-ep-sd.pdf
Public Policy Together, local food projects comprise a rapidly growing sector that warrants support at regional, national and European levels. New policies should look towards introducing a new economic model based on an ethical (sustainable) economy. “Food is now on the agenda of many different professionals and members of communities, including those who would not traditionally have seen food as a means of addressing social inequalities, health or environmental issues.” (JRF Food projects and how they work: Pauline McGlone, Barbara Dobson, Elizabeth Dowler and Michael Nelson 1999) The proposed Localism Bill is intended to become enacted in 2012. A key part of the current coalition UK Government’s ‘Big Society’ agenda, the Localism Bill aims to empower local organisations and give power to local authorities and communities. Clause 96 is one of many relevant aims: “Provision for neighbourhood development orders to allow communities to approve development without requiring normal planning consent.” (Clause 96, Localism Bill 2010-2012) A national framework that encourages and enables ‘bottom-up’ governance at local authority level, in addition to ‘bottom-up’ governance acting within local group level should, if successful, give real power to individual voices within a community. Many bureaucratic difficulties that currently hinder the development of local groups may dissipate under such a system. 59
The tragedy of the commons ‘The Tragedy of the Commons’ is an article written by the ecologist Garrett Hardin and published 1968. Hardin’s theory is that when multiple individuals, acting independently, take control of a piece of land they will act in their own self-interest, resulting in the depletion of a shared and limited resource, even when it is clear that it is not in anyone’s long-term interest for this to happen. The article played a large part in the enclosure and privatisation of common land. In reality, common land was successfully managed by families and communities for hundreds of years. “Commons were not “anything goes” areas which anybody could use and abuse at will. Rather there were community-defined rules stipulating how a commons could be used, protecting it from overuse… and other forms of damage.” in commoner.org However Hardin’s theory (which he later admitted to being incorrect) is frequently cited to support arguments of sustainable development and the “tragedy of the commons” used as a warning against the adoption of policies which restrict private property. “The commons did not collapse, they were stolen” “Will future production increasingly take place around a jointly organized and jointly managed commons, rather than around the exchange of private property on the market?” It may be possible that in the future our use of land will return to this kind of widespread common use, relying on modern technology, automatic processes and the internet.
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ENCLOSURE
“Currently, in our ‘property-owning democracy’, nearly half the country is owned by 40,000 land millionaires, or 0.06 per cent of the population” IMAGE: http://www.thelandmagazine.org.uk/articles/short-history-enclosure-britain QUOTE: Kevin Cahill, Who Owns Britain, Canongate, 2001., cited in http://www.thelandmagazine.org.uk/articles/short-history-enclosure-britain
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STUDIES AND FINDINGS
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Studies and findings “The main objective was to analyse how current policies facilitate, hinder or shape their development [LFS] in order to elaborate recommendations how policies could better facilitate LFS.” LFS case studies show that the potential of projects to expand, and to bring meaningful change in the agrp-food system, depends on four main factors:
* They must professionalise their skills, which help form speacialist intermediaries
* They must build and maintain customer loyalty, especially as supermarket chains sell more products labelled as ‘quality’, even as ‘local’ * They must constantly learn in order to keep up with changing circumstances and to remain competitive in the market. * They need the continued dedicated effort and innovation of leaders or ‘champions’, who can link diverse stakeholders and policy-makers around the constantly evolving idea of LFS. Study of factors affecting the development of LFS SUSTAIN- Working with planners. DEFRA JRF LOCALISM BILL CUT RIP COPY
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Glossary of terms Agribusinesses Term for the various businesses, activities and disciplines encompassed by modern food production.
Domestic Growing Space A privately owned area of external or internal space used by its owner for agricultural purposes.
Hub A place or thing that forms the effective centre of an activity, region, or network
Agriculture The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other product.
Engagement Occupy, attract, or involve someone’s interest or attention.
Hydroponics The cultivation of plants in water
Alternative Growing Spaces Use of privately or publically owned area for agricultural purposes. Aquaponics Sustainable food production combining traditional fish farming (aquaculture) with hydroponics* in a symbiotic environment. Brownfield Land Previously developed land that has the potential for being redeveloped. It is often land that has been used for industrial or commercial purposed and may be left contaminated as a result. Across the UK there are thousands of sites termed ‘brownfield’. Community A social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government and often have a common cultural & historical heritage. Commons Resources that are owned in common or shared between or among commuities. People, not corporations make the decisions with an inclusive approach. Collective Governance The physical exercise of managing power and policy by a group of individuals. In a food commons the governing group would take responsibility for making decisions about strategic choices that affect running of project.
Existing Agricultural Land Land used for production of both crops and livestock. The Food and Agricultutal Organisation (FAO) divides land into the groups: ‘Arable land’, ‘Orchards and Vineyards’ and ‘Meadows and Pastures’. Food Commons Localised system for food production, processing and distribution in which land and other resources are treated with a collective responsibility. Governance The physical exercise or manner of managing power and policy. Governance relates to management, policies, guidance, processes and decision making for a given area of responsibility. Grassroots A ‘bottom-up’ movement driven by members of a community rather than traditional power structures. Greenfield Land: Usually agricultural or amenity land on the edge of a town or city that has urban development proposed for it. It is often bought for land investment as planning might be more likely in these areas. The council and general public are usually against building new homes on Greenfield sites. Horticulture Industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings.
Landshare One method of managing public or private land Local/ Localised Belonging or relating to a particular area or neighbourhood Manifestation The action or fact of showing something in such a way Monsanto Agricultural company who provide seeds, biotechnology techniques and pesticides tofarmers NFU National Farmers’ Union, a trade association financed by paid membership. Provides a respected voice for the industry and heavily influential in policy decisions Participation The action of taking part in something Permaculture The development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient
Public Land Land held by the local government that is subject to sale and is not reserved for any particular government or public purpose. Sitopia Carolyn Steel’s term for a future vision of a new socio-economic structure based on a new food system. Literally Food place Stakeholder A person, group, organisation, or system who affects or can be affected by an organisation’s actions Umbrella organisation An association of (usually related) institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources Vertical Farming A concept that argues that it is economically and environmentally viable for agricultural process to take place on skyscrapers, or on vertically inclined surfaces.
Private / Owned Land Land owned by individuals or a business entity. Over the course of a few hundred years much of Britain’s land became privately owned and today nearly half of the land in the UK is owned by 0.06 percent of the population.
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PART 2 /... CASE STUDY TODMORDEN
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INTRODUCTION TO TODMORDEN Our client is Incredible Edible, a group of activist-volunteers aiming to raise the awareness of food production & our responsibility as citizens to lead sustainable lives. our analysis will be based in relation to their potential for the town of Todmorden and to support their on-going work to share their ideals and practices across a wider audience.
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Todmorden Calderdale West Yorkshire England UK
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Location Todmorden is: # a small market town with a big industrial history # nestled in the heart of the Pennines at the meeting point of three steep river valleys # located 17 miles from Manchester and 172 miles from London, as the crow flies # situated within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England
Topography and Climate Todmorden has: # westerly prevailing winds # an average rainfall of 952mm # valleys that descend from the Portsmouth boudary at 702ft to the town hall at 423ft, and to the sandbed at 361ft.
edinburgh
todmorden
manchester
cardiff
london
Image 41 72
y Road Burnle
Market
Lindores
Green Route Townhall Train Station
oad
Health Centre
Halifax R
Green Route
Rochdale Canal Bear CafĂŠ
Unitarian Church
Todmorden Town Centre 73
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Demographics The demographic breakdown of Todmorden’s 15,000 inhabitants
6%
0-4 Male 48%
Female 52%
5-14
12%
15-24
12%
25-44
28%
45-59 20%
60-74
14%
75+
8% The average age of a Todmorden citizen is 39
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Agricultural History Although, Todmorden has a big industrial history built on the area’s success in the woolen and cotton trades, agricultural has also played a key role in its inhabitants daily life.
The first year for which agricultural returns are available show local, arable farming had virtually ceased
Settlements were situated on shelves of land above the valleys
Interest in gardening grew again. New allotments were created at a number of sites
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18
X Early C18th
l
va
die
Me
Oats were the staple diet. The parish of Rochdale, of which Todmordern and Walsden were part of had 1490 acres under oats. There were very few other crops.
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1900’s
B 1866 to 1905
An average of 1600 cows were recorded annually; Hay became the dominant crop
The great depression led to another revival. They were mainly used by the unemployed. The cricket club site reopened
The interest in self growing is rising again, but there has been a loss of skills in the younger generations
x 19
30
^
’s
2000’s
1950’s
Allotments opened during WW1 as there was a genuine fear Britain would starve. In 1917, there were only six weeks of wheat stock remaining. Many allotments (including the cricket club site) fell into disuse after WW1
t 20
20
1910’s
Rising living standards, full employment and increasing pressure on land for housing led to gradual decline of self growing
Can there be an agricultural revolution?
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INTRODUCING INCREDIBLE EDIBLE
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What is Incredible Edible? Incredible Edible is made up of a group of passionate people who believe we have a shared responsibility for the well-being of the planet and ourselves. They believe in action at a local, grassroots level and operate with a real hands on approach which is entirely community driven. Food as a necessity for human life, has been identified & used as a tool to cut across demographics, aiming to provoke this sense of shared responsibility and the cost food production has on our planet. There is a real emphasis on doing. Yes, as citizens we have identified that our existence is not sustainable, but who is actually acting?
Image 43
Image 42
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Image 44
Part of the challenge lies in overcoming accepted behavioural norms. Society has become used to convenience, there is an expectation, particularly concerning food, that provisions will be made with little understanding or regard as to where food actually comes from.
Incredible Edible practices an alternative to this trend. Considerable effort, drive & enthusiasm are continuously needed to overcome what could be seen as reluctance to change or lack of feasible alternatives. They aim to engage farmers, communities, planners, politicians, essentially everyone to generate action, highlighting the role individuals can play.
“LET’S STIMULATE A SERIOUS NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT LAND USE AND FOOD PRODUCTION”
Pam Warhurst, co-founder of Incredible Edible, Todmorden 81
ve
IE
m ent
Incredible Edible Organisational Structure
Mo
Ch ity ar
Bu ness si
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Image 45
Image 46
* Incredible Edible Todmorden Incredible Edible consti Todmorden is constituted of three bodies. Although the aim of the organization is to promote local food production and self-sustainability, it has aspirations of different scales and time lines, that each of this separate body of the whole expresses.
The work we have explored mostly in this compendium comes from Incredible Edible Todmorden. A charity, this is the most informal form of the organization and it is the ground work done from the founding volun members. It works on a voluntary basis and it deals with the campaigns and growing beds in and around the town. Some examples of this body works are: Every Egg Matters campaign, the raised flowerbeds around Todmorden and the Walsden Polytunnel Park.
Image 47
Edible * Incredible Todmorden Incredible Edible Ltd, stems from the charity organization. It is a company that employs two people at the moment, in cooperation with the local high school. It aims to generate income and create jobs for the locals through the organization’s different campaigns and plans.
Edible * Incredible Todmorden The organization is represented across the world through Incredible Edible. Through talks, exhibitions and workshops in different parts of the world, the team of Incredible Edible aims to spread the idea and create a local food movement. It is the outreach programme of the organization to the world.
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Locating Incredible Edible in Todmorden
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PRESENCE
THE
WHY? ...
IET HAS A SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES
SO THEY MUST FIND A LONG-TERM SOURCE OF INCOME
SO THEY CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN THEIR ORGANISATION
THEN THEY CAN INCREASE THEIR PRESENCE CONTINUE TO SPREAD THEIR MESSAGE INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY
AND CREATE AN IDENTITY THAT WILL MAKE INHABITANTS PROUD
AND GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A REASON TO STAY IN TODMORDEN
IET has a shortage of resources. It’s now necessary for them to find a long term source of funding that will enable them to access resources and build a sustainable system. At Walsden apple trees are being grown that can be sold at the garden centre, and links with local businesses are constantly being made. 85
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PUBLIC OPINION
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Local food production: Public Opinion We have based our findings on first hand data and evidence collected in Todmorden combined with the knowledge from part one of the compendium. We interviewed consumers and retailers to try and get a flavour of where Incredible Edible currently stands, how it’s held in the eyes of the public, and where future possibilities may lie. Discussions with key members of Incredible Edible provided additional data, setting the information into context.
everyone has their own viewpoint 88
Have you heard of Incredible Edible? Fact finding survey Todmorden, Calderdale, Friday 7th of October 2011
Of the 13% who had not heard of incredible Edible:
100% were not local
Of the 87% who had heard of Incredible Edible:
92% were local
No 13%
Yes 87%
70% would NOT pick Incredible Edible produce
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Do you buy local produce? Fact finding survey Todmorden, Calderdale, Friday 7th of October 2011
Yes 83%
No 17%
Profiles of surveyed people
79% 90
21%
What local produce do you buy? Fact finding survey Todmorden, Calderdale, Friday 7th of October 2011
28%
26%
14%
8%
Vegetables
Meat
Fruit
Eggs
8%
7%
5%
4%
Bread
Cheese
Milk
Fish
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Why or Why not buy local produce?
Can get everything in one go
fresher Friendly atmosphere
Support Locals Keep Todmorden going
Supermarket is Convienient
Keep it in the town
Tastes Better
Easier to go to Supermarket
Good food, better then supermarkets
Knows owners of stalls
Don’t have a car
Market doesn’t have all produce
Save fuel
Better Produce
Fact finding survey Todmorden, Calderdale, Friday 7th of October 2011
Ease of access to supermarket Know where food comes from Accessibility with children
Too expensive
Pick what you want
Local produce isn’t really around Quality is better
Cheaper
You can get everything in the supermarket Too many supermarkets want to support small businesses
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... the supermarkets good and cheap...
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Produce you could buy locally LIDL supermarket survey Todmorden, Friday 7th of October 2011
...six packages of sugar are not very presentable for you, but I need the sugar to feed my bees, sorry I’m in a hurry...
LIDL
£
Granulated Sugar 6 x 0.82 Carrier Bag
4.92 0.03
TOTAL
4.95
Thank you for shopping with Lidl.
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LIDL
...I need plenty to feed my whole family...
ÂŁ 2.24 0.69 1.18 0.98 1.20 1.15 0.99 2.00 2.49 1.35 1.98 3.99 2.59 0.69 0.85 1.98 1.50 0.52 1.69 0.49 0.98 0.45 0.82 1.49 2.39 2.50 0.59 0.89 1.99 0.79 0.99 6.58
Potatoes 2 x 1.12 Onions Carrots 2 x 0.59 Broccoli 2 x 0.49 Family Pack Tomato British Apples Frozen Peas Whole Milk 2 x 1.00 Smoked Bacon Fromage Frais Frankfurters 2 x 0.99 Smoked Gammon Joint Wafer Thin Ham Luxury Coleslaw Free Range Eggs Home Pasta Bake 2 x 0.99 Pasta Sauce 2 x 0.75 Plain Flour Spreadable Butter Spagetti XXL Penne Rigate 2 x 0.49 Wholegrain Mustard Granulated Sugar Mini Cheddars XXL Multipack Crisps Warburtons Rolls 2 x 1.25 Wholemeal Loaf Mallow Cocktail Lenor Spring Awake Washing Up Meadow Cling Film Chicken Breast 2 x 3.29
TOTAL
51.10
Thank you for shopping with Lidl.
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96
Possible support of the local economy LIDL supermarket survey Todmorden, Friday 7th of October 2011
supermarket
vs market
“simplistic sample“
1,032.89 £ 221,44 £ 1,181.01 £ 30,706.26 £ 368,475.12 £ 1,473,900.48 £
1,5 hours 1 day 1 month 1 year 4 supermarkets
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How to make the perfect omlette Is the true that supermarkets are cheaper than local markets? married three children retired lecturer
Local 180p
Supermarket 109p
family income 69,500
family income 37.500
195p
143p
Preparation time: 5-10 min Cooking time: 10 min 2 large onions 3 juicy tomatoes 1 large leek 200g bacon 4 large eggs 100g cheddar cheese a large handful of basil sea salt and black pepper
1. Unlike supermarkets often being located on the periphery, Todmorden has two in town centre. 2. Not every market item was produced within 30 miles, but 98 all were English grown.
married two children bricklayer
100p
56p
53p
82p
7 mins
10 mins
50p
100p
490p
578p
1. chop the bacon and fry in a pan. 2. add the chopped onions and leeks and soften for five minutes. 3. add diced tomatoes, season. 4. after 5 minutes remove the bacon and vegetables. 5. add the seasoned whipped eggs, tilting the pan as you do. 6. after 45 seconds add the cheese, bacon and vegetables. 7. fold onto a plate, tuck in at once.
This research, although specific to Todmorden questions the belief held by the majority of the population; local (or at least English grown) food is cheaper. So why don’t people shop local ?
# Interview 1
99
# Interview 2
100
# Interview 3
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Calderdale Council LDF Workshop Report 6Todmorden by Lisa Baxter, May 2011 In a recent workshop held in Todmorden by Calderdale Council with local residents a “commonly held perception” was documented that the Council does not “understand, listen to or respond to the people of Todmorden” Community pride in the local food economy and market was voiced by many participants, as was support for Incredible Edible,which was felt to provide focus for the town’s development. Local people felt let down by Calderdale Council, and that there was too much top-down decision making from a Council that “doesn’t understand the unique character and needs of the town” “When a successful community group such as Incredible Edible is not shown support in local council decisions, the result is that local people will feel “marginalised and disempowered”
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“When a successful community group such as Incredible Edible is not shown support in local council decisions, the result is that local people will feel marginalised and disempowered�
Calderdale Council LDF Workshop Report 6 Todmorden May 2011 103
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CONCLUSION
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Conclusion Incredible Edible Todmorden (IET) has so much to be content with. In many ways they have achieved their main aim; people in Todmorden have begun to think more and more about food. IET shows that the common man still has the potential to influence. They work from the bottom up and from within, as opposed to waiting on the government to enact something from the outside. IET has succeeded fundamentally because their ‘invisible force’ is very strong. It has strong and charismatic characters who drive the project forward. The participants are all having fun and are passionate about what they are doing. If they weren’t they would most likely terminate the project. However, many Todmorden citizens choose not to participate. Does someone from the outside looking to get involved ultimately fear not being welcomed? From getting to know the characters involved, this shouldn’t be the feeling. Therefore, is the issue that the organisation’s home is not as obvious as it should be? IET is also viewed, whether wrongly or rightly as a middle class organisation with volunteers mainly of an older demographic. Nevertheless, they have tried to engage with lower classes and younger people through education, which can only be commended. This is the aspect IET is now beginning to focus on, and whether it succeeds or not, we can’t be too critical, because how many citizens can say they have generated such interest in their work as IET have. 106
In terms of a conclusion on the concept of food commons, we believe there is no one definable model. Each place will have its own identity and different factors affecting it, and will have to adapt the framework to suit. This lack of definition is not a bad thing; diversity is natural and welcomed, for if a model is copied exactly there won’t be the same passion and drive to make it succeed. Ultimately, does the concept of a food commons really exist? Firstly, you have to be realistic in how open with your resources you can be, and therefore the extent to which it is truly acting as a commons. Secondly, not everyone will want to engage in it. For example in the concept of a food commons success is often limited due to the lack of involvement from farmers, who may not see an incentive, or believe that the concept is naive. The idea of a true food commons is fundamentally a utopian ideal. This shouldn’t stop us from taking example from IET. We have to change and now is the time. In these days of recession and unemployment it is a really good way of starting to provide real hope for people. It will be hard work but the rewards will be excellent. This is provided we do not use the current economic system to measure them.
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Go with your love to the fields. Lie down in the shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts. As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn't go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.
Extract from Wendell Berry’s “The Mad Farmer Liberation Front”
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LIST OF REFERENCES
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References Publication: Living within our environmental means: Natural Resources And An Optimum Human Population, Rachel F. Preiser, 1994: http://dieoff.org/page50.htm Publication: Local Food Systems in Europe: Case Studies from Five Countries and what they Imply for Policy and Practice, FAAN, 2010, IFZ 2010, http://www.genewatch.org/uploads/f03c6d66a9b354535738483c1c3d49e4/FAAN_Booklet_PRINT.pdf Book: Steel, Carolyn. 2009. Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives. Random House. Web Journal: Hungry City Book, Carolyn Steel, June 6th 2008, http://www.hungrycitybook.co.uk/ blog/?m=200806 Website: Incredible Edible Todmorden, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/ Publication: JRF Food projects and how they work: Pauline McGlone, Barbara Dobson, Elizabeth Dowler and Michael Nelson 1999: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/1859354165.pdf Publication: Good planning for good food: How the planning system in England can support healthy and sustainable food: Sustain 2011: http://www.sustainweb.org/resources/files/reports/Good_planning_for_good_food.pdf Publication: Clause 96, Localism Bill 2010-2012: http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/ decentralisation/localismbill/ Publication: DEFRA: http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/
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References for further reading Blundell Jones, Peter. Petrescu, Doina. Till, Jeremy. 2005. Architecture and Participation. Spon Press. Fairlie, Simon. 2010. Meat: A Benign Extravagance. Permanent Publications. Lang, Tim. 2004. Food Wars: The battle for mouths, minds and markets. Earthscan. Hamdi, Nabeel. 2010. The Placemaker’s Guide to Building Community. Earthscan. Shiva, Vadana and et al. 1997. The Enclosure and Recovery of the Commons: Biodiversity, Indigenous Knowledge, and Intellectual Property Rights. Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology. Article: The Commons of the Future: Building Blocks for a Commons-based Society, By Christian Siefkes: http://www.commoner.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/siefkes_future-commons.pdf Article: A Short History of Enclosure in Britain, By Simon Fairlie: http://www.thelandmagazine.org.uk/articles/ short-history-enclosure-britain Web Journal: The Commoner: www.commoner.org.uk Web Journal: Vertical Farms: http://www.verticalfarm.com/ Publication: An investigation into the workings of small scale food hubs, Sustain: http://www.sustainweb.org/pdf/ mlfw_hubs_research_summary.pdf Bell, Graham. 2004. The Permaculture Way: Practical steps to create a self-sustainable world. Permanent Publications Benton Jones, J. 2005. Hydroponics: A practical guide for the soilless grower. Boca Raton Reynolds, Richard. 2009. On Guerilla Gardening; A handbook for gardening without boundaries. Bloomsbury Publishing Watkins, David. 1993. Urban Permaculture – A practical handbook to sustainable living. Permanent Publications. Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens http://www.farmgarden.org.uk Growing Schools http://www.growingschools.org.uk Making Local Food Work http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk Transition http://www.transitionnetwork.org/
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Filmography Our daily bread, 2005, directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalte How food shapes our cities, Carolyn Steel, TEDGlobal 2009, July 2009: http://www.ted.com/talks/ carolyn_steel_how_food_shapes_our_cities.html
Illustration credits 01: http://www.grist.org/people/Kurt+Michael+Friese 02, 03, 04 all from: http://www.whyfame.com/movies/documentary/our_daily_bread_unser_taglich_ brot_8653.php 05: http://www.rhgdigital2.co.uk/hungrycity/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/gardencity.jpg 06: http://www.pixelnase.deviantart.com/gallery/offset=72/d18z5fu 07 -11, all from: http://www.growingcommunities.org/ 12-14, all from: http://www.rhyzom.net/projects/rurban/ 15-17, all from: http://www.thefoodhub.com/history.html 18-20, all from: http://www.foodurbanism.org/five-boroughs-farms/ 21, 22: http://setanddrift.org/projects/projects-current/the-farm-proper/ 23-25, all from: Bohn&Viljoen Architects 2002, London LeisurEscape: http://www.bohnandviljoen. co.uk/projects/index.html 26: Bohn&Viljoen Architects 2002, “Cuba: Laboratory for Urban Agriculture”: http://www.bohnandviljoen.co.uk/projects/index.html 27-29 : http://www.cusa-dds.net/seed/ 30-33: http://www.vanbergenkolpa.nl/en/83.html 34-36: http://www.thehighline.org/design/designslideshow.htm 37-40, all from: http://www.dezeen.com/2010/01/12/landgrab-city-by-joseph-grima-jeffrey-johnsonand-jose-esparza/ 41: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tod_from_golf_course.jpg 42: Jack’s House uses IET produce at Todstock BBQ 23.08.10, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=51 114
43: Bloom team in the sunshine 11.10.10, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/ pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=4144: 44: Incredible Edible Todmorden Harvest Festival 2008 12.11.08, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=124 45: Beds 28.03.09, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=114 46: Mary, Napoleon and the girls, by Arthur Edwards, Royal photographer 24.08.10, http://www. incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=51 47: Broad beans harlow carr, lsa 17.04.11, http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/ pictures?smd_glry_7e7f=20
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