Drive-by Urbana Manna

Drive-by Farming Cleveland's Cornicopia? Detroit, Breadbasket to the World??

“ Cleveland could produce most of its own food if the city's residents grew crops on deserted lots, industrial rooftops and parts of occupied lots, a study finds. “ The city provides about 1.5% of its own produce, but Cleveland's deindustrialized landscape provides fresh opportunities, two researchers argue. They identify three dozen vegetables and 14 fruits suitable to the Ohio climate and propose the introduction of chicken coops and beehives. In the least intensive scenario analyzed, which would make use of 80% of every vacant lot, Cleveland could provide from 22% to 48% of its own fruits and vegetables (depending on the farming techniques used); a quarter of its own eggs and poultry; and all the honey, the researchers estimate. In the most intensive scenario, which would add 9% of every occupied residential lot and 62% of every commercial rooftop, the city could produce up to 100% of its fruit and vegetables and 94% of its eggs and poultry. "Can Cities Become Self-Reliant in Food?" Sharanbir S. Grewal and Parwinder S. Grewal, Cities [WSJ] ”