Utmarken - envisioning Skåne's new edible landscapes

Abstract: Planet earth is getting hotter and regional climates are becoming increasingly unpredictable across the globe. Cities and communities on all continents are already impacted by the changing climate, but also by two other crises – the fossil-energy decent and the 6th mass extinction event. These three complex and interconnected crises all increase the risk of food becoming a scarce resource. In fact, historically, feeding people is the key factor of maintaining stability in human societies. The countryside provide the foundational systems of which feeds all cities and communities. Relationships between countryside and cities are therefore becoming increasingly important on a local level as these crises unfold. Borders between cities and countrysides are where the collaboration of both sides will begin, along the process learning how to feed ourselves sustainably in a more local world. Today, there are systems of cultivation which produces substantial amounts of food and resources without the negative consequences of industrial (or conventional) agricultural practices. These systems are founded on practices that has been used in different corners of the globe for millennia – the difference is that these systems now are seen from a scientific perspective. The benefits of agroforestry and restoration agriculture have the potential of; restoring habitats for wildlife, increasing soil fertility, preventing erosion, stabilize weather patterns – all while producing resources that cities anc communities need. Integrating local cultivation of food and resources is crucial for both production and educational purposes- both important when working towards food security. This project is about finding a bridge between the city, in this case Brunnshög in Lund, and its neighbouring and vast agricultural lands on the Scanian plains. I hope my findings in this thesis can shine light upon the pressing issue of local food security, and to contribute in envisioning ways to design new edible landscapes.