FUI assesses the benefits, costs, risks and potential returns of different initiatives and their implications and opportunities for the urban population. By focussing on the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and berries, all suitable for small plots, while excluding larger livestock and « staple » crops, FUI identifies and describes the vast range of urban food production methods, motivations, producers as well as potential urban sites. In doing so, the research increases awareness among the urban population of the obstacles and benefits. Specific research objectives and results include the following;
– Identify and describe the processes of urban agriculture as they relate to urban design
– Codify an interdisciplinary language for urban agriculture and design (typologies)
– Establish connections between food production, urban design and urban quality
– Explore the possibility of spatial / functional combinations between food and urbanism
– Create transferable knowledge