Cultivating Density
Transforming Underutilized Spaces into Social and Environmental Infrastructure
UNC Charlotte David R Ravin School of Architecture, Charlotte, NC
This comparative study examines how urban agriculture efforts in Charlotte, North Carolina could be strengthened by adapting Taipei’s Garden City policy as a model for reconciling farming with the realities of urban density.
Since 2015, Taipei has been building a network of urban farms in underutilized spaces, such as street corners, irregular and vacant lots, on rooftops, and in schools, through their Taipei Garden City policy. In a highly dense metropolitan center that spares little space for traditional farming, this initiative has already produced over 750 edible green spaces in the past ten years.
Following analysis of Taipei’s policy and urban agriculture typologies, as well as exploring urban agriculture’s intertwined social and economic benefits, I suggested what a similar initiative might look like in Charlotte, including what kinds of “leftover” spaces could be appropriated as small-scale gardens. I also briefly explored how the city’s existing ecosystem of urban agriculture efforts could be strengthened by lessons from Taipei’s successful program.
Left: Urban “happy farm” in Taipei, Taiwan
Urban Agriculture in Taipei
I began this study by taking a broad view of how agriculture features in Taipei’s history, culture, and current policy. I looked at land use to understand the city’s urban fabric and to visualize where agriculture is formalized.
Garden City Policy
I explored Taipei’s urban agriculture policy development, including its formation, goals, and administrative structures.
From Type to Typology
I established six over-arching typologies describe how the urban farms are situated within the urban fabric and how they relate to public space.
Comparing Urban Contexts
Charlotte and Taipei have developed quite differently due in part to physical constraints. These diagrams illustrate how that context has contributed to stark differences in density and scale between the two cities.
Urban Agriculture in Charlotte
I analyzed how urban agriculture is fostered in Charlotte, suggested several lessons from Taipei’s policy could strengthen Charlotte’s existing urban agriculture ecosystem, and proposed additional needs based on Charlotte’s context and current challenges.
Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance as a Framework
To understand where and how Charlotte plans to increase density through future development, I examined the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. I found that I was able to effectively assign Taipei’s garden typologies the place types described in the ordinance based on types of allowed development and shared characteristics.
Envisioning Small-Scale Urban Agriculture in Charlotte
I developed design and policy recommendations to adapt Taipei’s approach to Charlotte’s context.
I also explored what “leftover” space looks like in Charlotte. Whereas Taipei’s rapid development created interstitial spaces between buildings, Charlotte’s “vacant” spaces take different forms.
Finally, I proposed a potential site for a small-scale urban farm in Charlotte’s South End. The site was selected due to its proximity to public transit and Charlotte’s Rail Trail, its current disuse, and its position outside of a ten minute walk radius from both grovery stores and existing community gardens. While this is not an area of high need or food insecurity, an urban farm on this site would be highly visible and could serve as a proof-of-concept for a broader effort to integrate urban agriculture into existing spaces, even in Charlotte’s most densely developed neighborhoods.
I also explored what “leftover” space looks like in Charlotte. Whereas Taipei’s rapid development created interstitial spaces between buildings, Charlotte’s “vacant” spaces take different forms.
Finally, I proposed a potential site for a small-scale urban farm in Charlotte’s South End. The site was selected due to its proximity to public transit and Charlotte’s Rail Trail, its current disuse, and its position outside of a ten minute walk radius from both grovery stores and existing community gardens. While this is not an area of high need or food insecurity, an urban farm on this site would be highly visible and could serve as a proof-of-concept for a broader effort to integrate urban agriculture into existing spaces, even in Charlotte’s most densely developed neighborhoods.
