喜结硕果。 |
Cities and civilisation began to emerge a few thousand years ago as a result of the development of agriculture which brought surplus production. Even though the urban area and the rural area have the same roots, due to so-called 'progress', they have been perceived as two separate entities over the last century. In cities built of steel and cement and filled with man-made constructions, farming and urban development planning become increasingly incompatible. Farming seems to have nothing to do with the everyday life of urban dwellers! Nevertheless, agriculture is still very much on people's minds. Imagine what would happen to our health if there were no farming, or cities had no green plants. In recent years, urban farming has become a trend in many cities around China. Many people want to have a piece of land to grow their own food. Urban farming has also become a topic for study for many scholars.
This issue of the e-newsletter explores the multiple functions of urban farming which is an important part of a healthy urban life. Our partner, who works on urban farming in Beijing, discusses the invaluable contribution of urban farming to people's physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Through their own experience, urban farmers learn why human beings cannot be separated from the land. Our colleague, who is responsible for PCD’s programme on urban farming, shares how the programme helps participants to search for the common roots of the urban and the rural area through urban farming. Finally, a scholar from Beijjing explores the economic and social functions of urban farming, which includes guaranteeing the supply of food in urban areas, the stabilisation of food prices and poverty alleviation......
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