The future of our food: Community gardens and sustainability

摘要: This thesis examines limitations of the current industrialised food system in an era rapid global population growth, peak oil and climate change, explores role that community gardens urban areas can play addressing these challenges. Narrowing focus to Australia, one most urbanised nations on earth, research aims identify key elements contribute ongoing success sustainability areas. The shortcomings production systems potential were examined by means a literature review relevant sources. To some reasons why succeed or fail, case studies three Australian capital cities (Melbourne, Sydney Perth) conducted. Interviews conducted with personnel obtain historical information explore challenges face. Two examples failed order better understand A study examining possible establishment local garden Hilton, Western Australia was also included. Drawing survey Hilton residents, residents’ purchasing behaviour explored their attitudes towards having garden. This highlights is heavily reliant finite resources major contributors change. The reveals will face from particularly geographically isolated region such as Australia. Growing should be considered many solutions address insecurity shortages. It therefore important ensure themselves continue resilient changes. Identifying for well failures thus continual supply gardens. this ingredients are long term succession plans, access monetary environmental resources, fostering relationships all members community. factors leading include loss core components garden, which growing enhancing social capital. results residential positive, indicating residents willing embrace within suburb aware its benefits. When asked about benefits, revealed fresh them personal level. Social cohesion increasing engagement overall seen establishing it contributes our understanding how might In identifying have contributed – failure gardens, provides insights help create able sustain future populations.