Discuss how urban farms can be used to enhance the following 3 components of sustainability 1) ecosystem services, 2) environmental justice (social sustainability), and 3) livable cities. (Ecological Agriculture, Cities and Greenhouse Gases, Economics of Sustainability)
Ecological Services – The use of Ecological Agriculture on urban farms is beneficial in many ways. Urban farm or smaller co-op or family farms have an ability to produce multiple crops utilizing techniques that enhance sustainability of the land and the environment. Utilizing advanced methods of perimeter plants and companion crops assist in reduction of pesticides and fertilizers. Urban farms also produce more produce that is used locally and supports the local economies. This in turn reduces externality cost such as spoilage of the product due to storage and transport, waterlogging, and salinization of the land. (Ecological Agriculture and Economics of Sustainability)
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This is not due primarily to a higher moral standard but to the reality of economics. The family farm must maintain its land in a sustainable manner or face the high cost of adding fertilizers and pesticides. The use of these products also reduces their popularity in local markets where the have the largest opportunities for growth and less competition from the mechanically based mega farms. (Ecological Agriculture and Economics of Sustainability)
Livable Cities – Urban farms become a very important part of livable cities by producing the produce, grains, and livestock necessary to support the community. In a living city land use is planned and regulated. Urban sprawl is curtailed and population density encouraged. This reduces the need for expansive infrastructure and reduces cost to the community. (Robertson pg