Dr. MaryCarol Hunter
Should Detroit promote urban agriculture for a large part of its nearly 50 square miles of vacant land? This question will serve as the platform to explore the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of urban agriculture in 21st century cities. To balance current theory with practical application, we will read and discuss a selection of scholarly papers and organizational reports. Guest speakers, local leaders deeply involved with urban agriculture in the region, will offer their insights on practical aspects of implementation. Discussion will cover public health, ecological, land use planning, sustainability, social capital aspects of gardens of all types– private to community to commercial. This will allow us a semester-long creative consideration of whether and how urban agriculture can provide a socially acceptable and successful model for community building and wellbeing, particularly in places with deficient food systems systems.
