Who wants to live in a potato field? Appraising the integration of agriculture in the planning practices of peri-urban Oosterwold (NL)

Summary

In recent years, there has been a growing societal interest in the provenance of our food, which led to an incremental urban interested in reconnecting with its agricultural hinterland. This urban interest does not match the daily reality, agriculture is an outsider in urban planning.

This thesis focuses on a unique exception, the new peri-urban area of the Dutch city of Almere: Oosterwold. Agriculture is a prominent component of Oosterwold planning practices. The thesis analyses how agriculture has regained a place in the planning practices of this area. And, how the residents try to give the area’s precept of farming at least 50% of each residential plot a place in their daily lifestyles. Moreover, the thesis reflects my role as an action researcher who gradually succeeded in connecting (urban) agriculture to the planning practices of Oosterwold and the development of the area. I conclude that agriculture-inclusive urban planning practices need to mobilise and redistribute responsibilities.