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Abstract

Conventional agriculture produces food in ways that undermine the ecological bases on
which it depends. It is typically grown long distances from where it is eventually
consumed, relying on the use of non-renewable resources, and alienating consumers
from the processes of production. By comparison, the reintroduction of productive trees
into the urban landscape has been shown to bring residents into closer contact with their
food needs, increase fresh food security and availability, create opportunities for
informal social mixing, and foster a sense of cooperation within community (Stocker &
Barnett, 1998).
This thesis describes the process of a 32-year-old male citizen (me) attempting to
establish some fruit trees on under utilised land managed by local Council. The project
is set in the suburb of New Town, an established middle class residential area within the
city of Hobart, Tasmania. The actors to emerge in this development are the proximate
residents, residents of the nearby housing commission units, Hobart City Council
(HCC), a local nursery owner, an assortment of non-government organisations, and the
facilitators of other urban agriculture projects. It was found that whilst residents were largely in favour of the proposal there was little
enthusiasm towards direct participation, at least in the developmental stages. An initial
site for the trees proved contentious with one neighbour opposed to attracting
'undesirables' within proximity of his property, and so an alternative location was
identified alongside a bike track linking Hobart with the northern suburbs. First HCC
was also reluctant to become involved due to the risks associated with productive trees,
the maintenance involved, and the possibility of future conflicts over the management
of the trees and the distribution of the harvest. Several of the NGOs contacted in the
hope of establishing partnerships also declined the offer to participate.
The eventual success of the development can be attributed to the commitment of an
enthusiastic nursery owner, the advocacy of a senior arboricultural officer within
Council, and my persistent desire to contribute towards the sustainability and livability
of this area. My path to the realisation of establishing a site of urban agriculture in
Hobart has many parallels to the experiences of similarly motivated urban agriculture facilitators who went before me. This research then, is a contribution to the broad
discipline of environmental management as a case study of the implementation of
sustainability praxis at an individual scale.

Item Type:	Thesis - Coursework Master
Authors/Creators:	Chabot, Akia
Keywords:	Urban agriculture, Community gardens, City planning
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2005 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (MEnvMgt)--University of Tasmania, 2005. Includes bibliographical references
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