Scape Magazine, May 2022: Joy of Choice
By Amy Thompson and Ruben Jacobs
Published in Scape Magazine, May 2022
Utopian visions of just and sustainable cities often conjure images of plentiful urban farms, planted roofscapes and sumptuous home and community gardens, where owners and residents can reap the rewards of their tended patch and fully supply their household needs. These images speak to curing the food crisis, preventing food deserts and creating healthier urban populations and are undoubtedly evocative.
We are sceptics. Urban farming, though often touted as a panacea to many of our urban issues is a complex beast. Growing food at home or on a rooftop is hard and resource intensive. In South Africa, a large number of urban farms have failed to provide adequately and studies have proven that urban farming in its traditional form alone does not meaningfully address food security.
