Cultivation, Capital, and Contamination: Urban Agriculture in Oakland, California

摘要: Urban agriculture has enjoyed renewed popularity across North America over the past few years due to a vibrant food justice movement challenging disparities in access healthy food, as well municipal policy and planning efforts focusing on urban sustainability public health. Using qualitative quantitative methods, this dissertation links critical political economic analysis practical, action-oriented research grounded community engagement uncover historical geographic conditions necessary for rise of Oakland California. In addition being reflective, is also prescriptive its examination agriculture's potential scale up way that contributes significantly sustainability. These two tasks mark division into equal parts comprised three chapters each. Broadly, Part 1 (Origins) examines contemporary conditions, both contingent, have given current Oakland. Chapter I use theoretical framework metabolic rift (which disaggregate interrelated forms: ecological, social, individual) explore multiple origins global phenomenon demonstrate how it arises response upheavals alienation inherent capitalist economy. 2, argue understanding today requires examining city's uneven development. Through overview Oakland's geography from early 20th century dawn Neoliberal era, explain demarcated devaluation industrial commercial capital concentrated poverty flatlands diminished low-income people color. 3 arose devaluation. relational history linking seminal moments activism (the Black Panther Party's Free Breakfast Program, environmental movement, social justice-oriented greening movement) reveal multi-racial, cross-class alliance was formed around which able contest material implications new arenas, marshalling financial support. scalar politics led increased institutionalization ongoing up. 2 (Obstacles Opportunities) addresses obstacles must be addressed before such scaling can take place. Drawing participatory part address specific technical questions defined collaboration with members. 4 present GIS-based inventory sites calculate their contribution vegetable consumption Overall, identified more than 800 acres publicly owned land could potentially used production. Devoting 500 contribute 19 48% (or 6 15% recommended consumption) depending production methods. 5 evaluate extent soil lead (Pb) contamination may an obstacle expansion combination GIS spatial statistics characterize distribution Pb vacant at scales identify relationships between levels anthropogenic factors zoning, housing stock, roads, airport, use, biophysical series, chemical characteristics, vegetative cover. assess total actually available plant uptake. samples collected field greenhouse experiments, extractants (DTPA MgCl2) effort best proxy relate availability suite characteristics. While were higher West residential areas other city, generally lower federal screening 400 per million. Old stock (and paint) proved primary factor affecting levels, while phosphorus most important factor. focus through case study Food Policy Council (OFPC) develop zoning definitions operating standards agriculture. Ultimately, pressure City members by OFPC, following high profile events passage ordinance San Francisco citation prominent farmer violations), motivate officials update conclude observation easily overcome, remain. Furthermore, alone cannot feed city or mitigate unequal but rather coordinated push regional equity all aspects system, processing, distribution, retailing.