Beekeeping on top of a building, feeding chickens on the balcony and gardening in the neighbourhood vegetable patch. Urban farming brings the countryside to the city.

In the past few decades, we’ve shown such little interest in the countryside that some city kids have forgotten where milk comes from, or are unaware of the fact that carrots grow under the ground. 

The antithesis, urban farming, takes the city dweller back to nature. Urban farming has many advantages: it provides fresh and affordable fruit and vegetables. Local produce reduces CO2 emissions. The vegetation results in a cleaner and healthier city climate and organic waste does not need to collected by trucks but can be instead be processed as compost. Furthermore, community gardening is an easy way to meet locals, and teaches children about the origins of their daily meal.

Green initiatives are blossoming everywhere. From local communities planting fruit- and nut trees in parks and along pavements, to companies exploiting private gardens to feed an entire neighbourhood. Food Inspiration lists a few inspiring examples.