How to grow a city: Cultivating an urban agriculture action plan through concept mapping

Abstract

Background: Urban agriculture is a means to improve community health and reduce health inequities. It encourages civic participation in food system governance and offers citizens opportunities to explore concepts of food sovereignty within an urban setting. The objective of this study was to engage civic participation in developing an urban agriculture action plan for a Canadian prairie city. The purpose was to identify the short- and long-term goals and the barriers and facilitators to growing more food in the city. Results: Using a combination of Concept Systems™ concept mapping and group discussions, 66 participants contributed to developing a plan to advance urban agriculture. Six concepts form the action plan. Growing more food within public spaces in order to make urban agriculture more visible and improving education strategies are two areas that participants ranked both important and feasible. Participants relayed that increased visibility could create a cultural shift to strengthen the local food knowledge. Conclusions: School engagement, community development, maximizing food production in public places, and attending to regulations and bylaws are focus areas for improving urban agriculture. An integrated vision from the city administration with a paid position to make connections, oversee bylaws, and consider local food procurement systems is necessary to advance a healthy community-based food system. A systems approach to building a resilient food system and strengthening food sovereignty will require political will and a public mandate.