ABSTRACT
Increasing global urbanization and population growth, together with constraints on energy supply driven by climate change and resource limits, have highlighted the need for more sustainable cities in recent decades. Pressures on the rural landscape are no less serious, including mounting burdens of water pollution, soil degradation and irrigation demand on a finite agricultural base. As a response to both sets of concerns, bringing agriculture directly into the built environment has the potential to reduce ecological impacts, cut fossil fuel-based transportation, enhance food security, save building energy and enrich the lives of building occupants.
