NORTHEY STREET CITY FARM - Planning Process & Sustainable Outcomes

RELATING SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES TOPLANNING PROCESS

In order to identify the key strategies associated to the development of Northey Street City Farm, this section relates the main sustainable outcomes of the project with the planning processes used for its implementation, recognizing which elements of the planning process have affected the levels of implementation of the actions and design techniques associated to each one of the planning domains described in Table 16 to Table 26.

Food & Farming

In relation to Food and Farming (Table 16), the strategy of working on previously developed land next to Enoggera Creek allowed locating the farm close to where people live. The study of the community-based planning process showed that the availability of this property was directly related with the partnership established with BCC from the beginning. With time, this support generated the recognition of urban farms as an alternative land use within the urban area, formalising the lease over the property and facilitating the celebration of weekly organic Urban Markets (see Figure 18) within the farm.

Medicine & Health

Medicine and Health (Table 17) presents good sustainable outcomes by offering food activities, such as organic markets and daily lunches, and additional recreational, artistic and cultural events. These can be developed through a good organisational structure base on planning teams, and the usual sponsorship of governmental institutions.

Education

Education (Table 18) achieved positive outcomes by engaging volunteers in gardening activities. This strategy allowed for opportunities to participate in biodiversity conservation and increase awareness in sustainable development (communities growing their own food) while teaching sustainable gardening skills. These practices have been complemented with the development of an educational centre offering life-long learning cour ses (see Figure 19), some of which were established in partnership with BCC (such as the ‘Green Army’ program).

Economy

Sustainable achievements regarding Economy (Table 19) were attained by recognising the strengths of the project to diversify business opportunities. The farming activities allowed the implementation of organic markets, nursery and the use of the community kitchen as a commercial café on weekends. These practices in conjugation with educational courses, are generating enough income to employ 6 people on part-time basis. These staff are in charge of managing the functioning of the Farm, while continually applying for external grants - generating a mixture between internal and external resources.

Figure 18 – NSCF’s organic market

Figure 19 - Educational Activities

Transportation

Transportation outcomes (Table 20) are strengthen by the Farm’s location, but diminished by the absence of car sharing programs.

Energy

Energy (Table 21) appears as a weak sustainable outcome. Even though renewable energy systems have been incorporated into the design, there are still not enough resources for its implementation.

Water

In contrast, the Water (Table 22) planning domain presents good achievement. By taking advantage of community member’s knowledge and educational programs, the Farm generates technical assessments based on permaculture principles before the implementation of a new project. This allows a more efficient use of resources. Greywater and rainwater are recycled and employed in certain gardens.

Housing

Regarding Housing sustainable outcomes (Table 23), the involvement of an external consultant and governmental grants have allowed the development of the office building with bioclimatic design and recycled materials. The green roof proposed has still not implemented due to the lack of financial resources.

Governance

Governance (Table 24) has been based on a flat-organisational structure. This model has been implemented since the beginning of the project and remains until now, promoting high involvement of members in the decision-making process. Communication between participants happens throughout periodical meetings under the mango tree, next to the farm kitchen (see Figure 21). However the absence of other means of communication between NSCF members, makes difficult certain aspects of the decision-making process, generating a slow implementation of new ideas.

Natural Environment

The Natural Environment (Table 25) planning domain appears to be well implemented. It is part of the flood area close to Enoggera Creek and has been zoned for conservation purposes.

Built Environment & Sense of Community

Finally, Built Environment and Sense of Community presented outstanding sustainable achievements (Table 26). This was made possible by the availability of previously developed land (PDL) offered by Brisbane City Council. Planning for diverse activities (kitchen, office building, market garden, bathrooms, and nursery) connected through a pedestrian network inside the farm promotes physical activities and social interactions.

Figure 20 - Economic activities of NSCF

Figure 21 - Community Meeting place under the mango tree