Agriculture at the Metropolitan Edge
AGRICULTURE AT THE METROPOLITAN EDGE: NEW RURALISM AND OTHER URBAN-RURAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES
SYMPOSIUM HELD APRIL 5-6, 2007 AT UC BERKELEY
Project Description
In recognition of agriculture as an integral system for sustaining metropolitan regions, the UC Berkeley Center for Global Metropolitan Studies is pleased to initiate the Agriculture at the Metropolitan Edge (AME) program. The AME program will engage faculty, students, and practitioners in an in-depth investigation of systems- and place-based issues affecting the urban-rural interface. Through research projects, symposia, publications, outreach, and demonstration projects, the program will explore periurban agriculture as one of the basic frameworks for understanding and managing the growth of metropolitan regions worldwide.
AME projects will investigate urban-rural interface issues including land use policies and economics, role of local food systems and artisan foods, environmental services and impacts, and vitality of rural communities. Specific research topics identified to date include assessment of an urban-rural intermediary land-use designation, and the quantification of values and functions of urban edge agriculture. A primary AME program focus for the coming year will be producing a symposium called Agriculture at the Metropolitan Edge: New Ruralism and Other Strategies for Sustainable Development. The purpose of this symposium, scheduled for April 5th and 6th, 2007 at UC Berkeley, is to bring together researchers, practitioners, producers and policy makers involved in bridging sustainable agriculture and smart growth.
The AME program builds on last year’s collaboration between the local nonprofit SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture Education) and the Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IURD). SAGE and IURD explored the concept of New Ruralism, beginning with a vision to preserve and enhance urban-edge areas as places indispensable to the economic, environmental, and cultural vitality of cities and metropolitan regions. This initial investigation engaged students in producing case studies, a preliminary bibliography, and a workshop for researchers and practitioners.
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