UGEC2916 Understanding Urban Agriculture
Time
Lecture: Wednesdays 02:30 p.m. - 04:15 p.m.
Instructor
Mr LAU Hoi Lung
Course Description
Urban space is often perceived as space for industrial and commercial activities. In a deindustrialized city like Hong Kong, people seem to identify urban space with consumption activities. However, following recent social movements related to agriculture in Choi Yuen Village and Northeast New Territories New Development Area, concerns are growing in Hong Kong over the significance of urban agriculture. Globally speaking, urban agriculture has been studied and implemented for decades, and its contributions to sustainable urban development is recognized by the United Nations (UN) in its New Urban Agenda. The 2016 New Urban Agenda are closely related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders in 2015, as a response to the socio-economic and environmental crises faced by humankind. This course introduces the definition, evolution and applications of urban agriculture through sharing local and global experiences. Through lectures and fieldtrips, students will appreciate the multi-functionality of urban agriculture and its contribution to the building of sustainable and resilient city, for people’s life and livelihood. Among the 17 SDGs, the course aims to highlight Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitization), 11(Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Learning Outcome
- Understand the development and diverse functions of urban agriculture.
- Appreciate applications of urban agriculture in promoting more sustainable living.
- Analyse the complexity behind urban agriculture initiatives in relation to social, economic, and environmental concerns.
- Evaluate critically the local and global practices and policies of urban agriculture by the parameters suggested by the SDGs.
- Mobilise their knowledge and imagination to create innovative ideas on promoting SDGs in different communities.
- Act to combat climate change and build resilience by designing and constructing edible landscapes in CUHK campus according to the principles of SDGs.
Sustainable Development Goals
