Training Course on Urban Agriculture and Peri-Urban Food Systems for City Planners

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Urban and Peri-Urban Food Systems

ü  Defining Urban Agriculture (UA) and Peri-Urban Agriculture (PUA)

ü  Historical Context and Global Trends of UA/PUA

ü  Role of UA/PUA in Urban Food Security and Sustainability

ü  Challenges and Opportunities for UA/PUA in rapidly urbanizing areas

ü  Practical Session: Mapping existing and potential urban agriculture sites in a hypothetical city.

Module 2: Types and Models of Urban Agriculture

ü  Community Gardens and Allotments

ü  Rooftop Farming, Vertical Farms, and Hydroponics/Aquaponics

ü  Home Gardens and Edible Landscaping

ü  Urban Livestock and Aquaculture

ü  Practical Session: Analyzing the suitability of different urban farming models for various urban spaces.

Module 3: Land Use Planning and Zoning for Urban Food Production

ü  Integrating UA/PUA into Master Plans and Comprehensive Plans

ü  Zoning Regulations and By-Laws for Urban Agriculture

ü  Land Tenure and Access Issues for Urban Farmers

ü  Conflict Resolution in Urban Farming Spaces

ü  Practical Session: Drafting zoning recommendations to support urban agriculture in a hypothetical urban district.

Module 4: Resource Management: Water, Waste, and Energy for Urban Agriculture

ü  Sustainable Water Sources for UA (Rainwater Harvesting, Greywater Recycling)

ü  Composting and Organic Waste Management for Nutrient Cycling

ü  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in UA systems

ü  Soil Contamination and Remediation in Urban Settings

ü  Practical Session: Designing a simple rainwater harvesting system for a community garden.

Module 5: Economic Viability, Business Models, and Market Linkages

ü  Business Models for Urban Farms (CSAs, Farmers' Markets, Restaurants)

ü  Cost-Benefit Analysis of Urban Agriculture Projects

ü  Value Chains and Local Food Distribution Networks

ü  Financing and Funding Opportunities for Urban Agriculture Initiatives

ü  Practical Session: Developing a basic business plan outline for an urban farm.

Module 6: Social and Environmental Benefits of Urban Agriculture

ü  Community Building and Social Cohesion through UA

ü  Health and Nutrition Benefits of Local Food Production

ü  Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services (Biodiversity, Stormwater Management)

ü  Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through UA

ü  Practical Session: Quantifying the potential environmental benefits (e.g., stormwater retention) of a planned urban green space with food production.

Module 7: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Urban Food Systems

ü  Developing a Comprehensive Urban Food Policy

ü  Health and Safety Regulations for Urban Food Production

ü  Building Codes and Permitting for Green Infrastructure with UA

ü  Incentives and Support Mechanisms for Urban Farmers

ü  Practical Session: Reviewing a city's existing policies for their impact on urban agriculture.

Module 8: Urban Food Governance and Stakeholder Engagement

ü  Role of Municipal Governments in Food System Planning

ü  Multi-Stakeholder Platforms for Food System Governance

ü  Engaging Communities, Businesses, and NGOs in Food Initiatives

ü  Conflict Management in Participatory Planning

ü  Practical Session: Identifying key stakeholders for an urban food policy initiative and developing an engagement strategy.

Module 9: Planning for Resilient Urban Food Systems

ü  Building Food System Resilience to Shocks (e.g., pandemics, climate events)

ü  Emergency Food Planning and Supply Chain Diversification

ü  Shortening Food Miles and Localizing Food Supply

ü  Integrating Food Systems into Disaster Preparedness and Response

ü  Practical Session: Developing strategies to enhance the resilience of a city's food supply in the face of disruptions.

Module 10: Case Studies and Future Directions in Urban Agriculture

ü  Global Best Practices in Urban Food System Planning (e.g., Vancouver, Detroit, Singapore)

ü  Emerging Technologies in UA (e.g., IoT, AI for Vertical Farms)

ü  Challenges and Opportunities for Scaling Up Urban Agriculture

ü  Future of Urban-Rural Linkages and Food Systems Integration

ü  Practical Session: Analyzing a successful urban agriculture case study and identifying transferable lessons for other cities.

About Our Trainers

Our trainers are leading experts in urban planning, food policy, and sustainable agriculture, with extensive experience in integrating food systems into urban environments. They include urban planners, landscape architects, agricultural economists, and public health specialists who have directly advised municipal governments, designed urban farming projects, and conducted research on urban food security. Their practical insights, combined with their strong understanding of policy frameworks and community engagement, ensure that participants receive relevant, actionable, and comprehensive training.

Quality Statement

We are committed to delivering high-quality training programs that provide tangible value to our participants and their organizations. Our courses are meticulously designed, continuously updated with the latest research, best practices, and policy innovations in urban agriculture and food systems, and delivered by expert trainers. We strive to create an interactive and supportive learning environment that fosters knowledge acquisition, skill development, and professional growth.

Admission Criteria

ü  Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. 

ü  Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737296202

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202