ABSTRACT
The city of Melbourne in Australia provides a good example of the interests of cities in urban agriculture. People performing urban agriculture in Melbourne are particularly aware of the environmental impacts of food production, food transport costs, the costs of inputs such as energy and water, but also food security, consumption of fresh food and strengthening communities. Private/voluntary initiatives in the city include the Growing Food Project and the Food Gardeners' Alliance, established in 2007, which represent some of Melbourne's urban agriculture and community food projects, where people build local, fair and sustainable food systems. Urban agriculture has been promoted in many cities as a way to promote urban resilience and sustainable forms of urban life, while also supporting the city food supply. While the example of the city of Melbourne is of particular relevance, since civic engagement around food is diverse in approach and participation, specific mechanisms that encourage urban agriculture.
