BRIEF ABSTRACT: Landscape architects must look at the hidden connections between climate adaptation, urban agriculture, food waste, community equity, and public health. By applying systems thinking that integrates climate adaptation and carbon drawdown strategies with foodshed planning, the industry can advance innovative solutions to address these critical issues facing our urban communities. There is a distinct advantage for designers and planners in gaining a deeper understanding of how climate positive solutions build community resiliency, why systems thinking is key to solving the climate crisis, and why addressing the food landscape matters in shaping a more equitable and healthier, more nourished world. 

Students will learn about these following concepts; 

1. Understand the hidden connections between food waste, hunger and climate in order to develop climate positive solutions that build community resiliency. 
2. Learn why systems thinking is key to solving climate issues and why addressing the food landscape matters in shaping a more equitable and healthier world. 
3. Learn how to apply ecological design and food shed planning principles through the exploration of real world case studies.
4. Understand the tools available for landscape architects to shape climate and food policy and to advance carbon drawdown from the atmosphere, sustainable agriculture, and zero waste. 

https://vimeo.com/64854451 

https://www.spur.org/publications/spur-report/2013-05-13/locally-nourished 

https://www.solutionsforurbanag.org/about/ 

Philips, A., 2013. Designing urban agriculture - A complete guide to the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and management of edible landscapes