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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Growing communities: integrating the social and economic benefits of urban agriculture in Cape Town
Authors:Battersby, Jane
Marshak, Maya
Year:2013
Periodical:Urban Forum (ISSN 1874-6330)
Volume:24
Issue:4
Pages:447-461
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:urban agriculture
development projects
2010
Abstract:McClintock's extension of the Marxist concept of metabolic rift is used to investigate the perceived benefits of urban agriculture (UA) in projects in Seawinds and Vrygrond in Cape Town, South Africa. In this approach, alienation due to the metabolic rift has three dimensions: ecological, social, and individual. In the global north, UA and community gardens are framed as ways to foster community development and community capital. In the global south, UA is generally perceived as a means to ensure food security and address urban poverty. In both Vrygrond and Seawinds the NGO 'Soil for Life' had provided 10-week training workshops for creating organic vegetable gardens. The key individual benefits identified by participants were to do with mental and physical well-being through activity, spiritual engagement and a sense of pride and status through growing a successful garden. The case demonstrates that successful UA cannot be viewed as a response to one challenge in isolation. For a project to be sustainable, it needs to meet the social and economic needs of the participants. McClintock's concept can help to frame UA's multi-functionality and to develop better policy and programmes. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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