If you haven’t registered already, you’d better make sure to sign up for Tuesday’s Sustainability City Series talk about Agrarian Urbanism put on by the Urban Design Studio. This one’s going to be one for the books as noted urbanists Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk (they designed Norton Commons!) will take to the stage to discuss the confluence of agriculture, urbanism, food, and the way we live.
Here’s some background info from the UDS:
Through the 20th Century our society became ever more separated from agriculture and food activities while living increasingly sedentary lives. In some places it is impossible to walk to meet our daily needs. Food production and sales are isolated from where we live. Schools are no longer within walking or biking distances from home. The health impacts of the planning both town and country are astounding.
In order to reduce our dependence on national and international food systems, we need to develop local agriculture into the very fabric of our neighborhoods and create better relationships with growers and providers. Similarly, these neighborhoods must facilitate and encourage walking and biking as healthy alternatives to the globally devastating dependence on the automobile.
Duany and Plater-Zyberk will explore methods of integrating agriculture into cities, an idea known as agrarian urbanism. This concept goes well beyond starting a backyard garden into the realm of shaping the physical environment that makes up our neighborhoods. Plater-Zyberk will take an especially interesting angle on the subject, highlighting her work with hospitals and their relationship to a healthy environment.
The last time the duo was in town, the talk was packed. Tuesday’s event begins at 6:00 p.m. and is being held at the Henry Clay for extra seating capacity (604 South Third Street). The event is free but you need to register over here before all the seats are taken. (If you go, be sure to check out the local restaurants like Harvest and Ramsi’s offering discounts for attendees after the event!)
Wow! That is too cool! See you there..