Developing a thirst for urban agriculture
The Australian dream of a quarter-acre block is now becoming a distant memory. The obituary has been drafted and we city-dwellers move on, perhaps begrudgingly, towards a brave new world of more compact urban areas that limit sprawl and support better public transport and local services. Reluctant to give up on the dream altogether, a desire for outdoor space remains in our blood – a primal need for a place to gather for a BBQ, to play sport and to grow veggies is still central to our vision for a liveable city. So undoubtedly, as our urban areas increase in density, we will place yet more pressure on our public parks as we seek out the benefits that we once drew from those backyards we can no longer afford. Don’t worry, the planners are on to it, and land use metrics will ensure most people will have walking access to a local park or sporting ground for recreation, but what about our passion for growing food?
The H House: Clad with rainwater tanks to provide water to a green hanging roof garden