Urban agriculture (UA) is a phenomenon as old as cities themselves. Seen by some as a curiosity and by others as a survival strategy, it is also recognized as an element of sustainable urban development.

Urban Futures initiatives in three countries show that exposing youth to indigenous foods can have a trickle-down effect within their communities, generating market demand for resilient, locally adapted varieties.

Botanical gardens worldwide are confronting their colonial pasts and exploring how to restitute plant heritage to benefit local communities. By reconnecting displaced plant knowledge with urban farming initiatives, botanical institutions can help revitalize traditional agricultural techniques proven effective since the pre-colonial era.