One of the reasons that I was absent from the Brisbane to Bogota blog was that I was finishing my research into Urban Agriculture and City Farms and their role in Community Engagement – which is research I have completed as part of my undergraduate degrees.

Urban Agriculture and City Farms and their Influence on Community Engagement is a study of the community aspects of urban gardening. The aim of this research was s to explore the roles that urban gardening play in community development and how urban agriculture can contribute to building community. This was achieved through site visits of community gardens and city farms in the United States and Australia, and site visits of urban agriculture farms in Cuba, during May to August 2010.

The report is available here Urban Agriculture and City Farms and their role in Community Engagement

Now that I am back I am looking forward to writing more and stay connected to all that is happening in the world of Sustainable Cities.

Stay tuned.

Quandong

I was wandering around Kelvin Grove Urban Village (KGUV) this morning, which is a 16 hectare master-planned community that demonstrates best practice in sustainable, mixed-use urban development in Brisbane. While I was there I saw few dismal looking ornamental potted plants beside a street cafe and it occurred to me rather than planting a non-native water hungry species, KGUV and Brisbane City Council (BCC) should plant some native drought-resistant fruiting plants.

It ceases to amaze me how few native fruit trees are planted in our streets, in our parks and in our public gardens. I strongly believe that there should be free food in the city, and there is no better way to do this than with native fruiting plants including;

Lillypilly

Moreton Bay figs

Quandong

Bush Tomatoes

Wattle seed

Davidson Plum

Lemon Myrtle

Lilly Pilly

These fruits have been used for thousands of years by indigenous people and yet most Australian people these days wouldn’t recognise a single native fruit tree.

I think its time to plant our gardens and streets with these fruiting plants and provide some edibles not only to native bees and birds but also ourselves.

If this food were to be grown in and around Brisbane it would be important for BCC to facilitate simultaneous education regarding the use of native fruits. This could be achieved in consultation with Brisbane’s traditional owners the Turrbal people, utilsing their skills and knowledge of native foods and their uses.

Doing some native Guerrilla Gardening would be a great way to invite some native fruiting plants into your streets and our city.

Please note: When identifying native and non-native fruits always be sure that they are edible before consuming.