Edible green infrastructure: An approach and review of provisioning ecosystem services and disservices in urban environments
Alessio Russo, Francisco J. Escobedo, Giuseppe T. Cirella, Stefan Zerbe
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 242, 53-66
Urban Farm DB summary
A foundational paper proposing and reviewing the concept of Edible Green Infrastructure (EGI), addressing the neglect of provisioning (food) ecosystem services in green infrastructure planning that has emphasized regulating and cultural services. It frames allotment gardens, rooftop gardens, edible landscapes and urban forests as a multifunctional green network that, with best management practices to minimize disservices, can enhance food security and urban resilience.
Key points
- 1EGI addresses the historical oversight of food provisioning ecosystem services in urban green planning.
- 2EGI emphasizes the integration of food production into urban green spaces.
- 3EGI encompasses diverse elements such as allotment gardens, rooftop gardens, edible landscapes, and urban forests.
- 4These elements function as a cohesive, multifunctional green network.
- 5Appropriate management practices can mitigate potential disservices.
- 6EGI contributes to enhancing urban food security and overall urban resilience.
Abstract and stored text
AI-generated summaryThis foundational paper introduces and reviews the concept of Edible Green Infrastructure (EGI), addressing the historical oversight of food provisioning ecosystem services in urban green planning. While traditional approaches often prioritize regulating and cultural services, EGI emphasizes the integration of food production into urban green spaces. The framework encompasses various elements such as allotment gardens, rooftop gardens, edible landscapes, and urban forests, viewing them as a cohesive, multifunctional green network. The authors argue that with appropriate management practices to mitigate potential disservices, EGI can significantly contribute to enhancing urban food security and overall resilience.
This is an AI synthesis from the stored record, not the original abstract. Check the original before quoting.
Why it matters for urban farming
This paper is highly relevant for citizen-driven urban farming as it provides a robust conceptual framework—Edible Green Infrastructure (EGI)—that elevates the importance of food production within urban green spaces. It legitimizes urban farms, community gardens, and rooftop gardens as essential components of a city's infrastructure, not just recreational amenities. By framing these initiatives as crucial for food security and urban resilience, it empowers citizens to advocate for and develop more edible landscapes, while also underscoring the need for best management practices to ensure their success and minimize potential drawbacks.