Food gardening for change : a study of transformative learning in urban agriculture

Abstract

In an increasingly urbanised world, we see an increase in the focus on cities and the role they play in sustainable food systems. In this study, urban food gardening projects are explored with the theoretical framework of transformative learning and food democracy to see how participation in these projects can contribute to fulfilling the transformative potential of the city. The case study included the three projects of Losæter, Herligheten and Sagene Takhage (Sagene Rooftop garden), all located in Oslo, Norway. 14 participants in total were interviewed about their learning experiences of involvement in the garden. The results indicate that participants gain new knowledge from involvement that make them think about wider issues in the food system and desiring to contribute to change. It was not possible to detect full transformation as described by Mezirow (2009), but many of the elements could be found and seemed to indicate that participants were in a process of transformation. A common action found among participants was individual contributions such as dollar voting (related to sustainably produced food) and reducing own food waste. The transformative potential of these actions on food systems is discussed and seen in connection with opposing views. Based on this, in order to reach a fuller transformative potential of the city through improved food democracy, it can be argued that more political engagement should be sought after as outcomes of involvement in urban food gardening.