Exploring the ideas and innovations needed to create a sustainable transportation system.
The industrialized global food system requires massive inputs of fossil fuels at all stages—from mechanized equipment to increase yields, to the vast transportation network that brings us bananas from Costa Rica and garlic from China.
As farms became more industrialized and food travels greater distances from field to supermarket, agricultural land is also pushed further away from city centres due to urban sprawl.
Expected to grow to almost 7.5 million people by 2031, the GTA will need to find creative ways to increase food production and distribution. Can we create a local food system that more fully integrates agriculture into the urban, suburban and regional fabric, and at the same time, improves food security and revenue for local farmers?
The charrette team was asked to design an urban agriculture network that supports local farming using a sustainable transportation and distribution system.
The team analyzed current systems of food service delivery and how they impact our choices within the food market. Their proposal presents a mix of sustainable last-mile solutions that promote regional and local production and consumption.
Natasha Basacchi, Department of Unusual Certainties
Kar Yan Cheung, Bruce Mau Design
Christopher Pandolfi, Department of Unusual Certainties
Simon Rabyniuk, Department of Unusual Certainties
Aliya Tejani, Department of Unusual Certainties
FACILITATOR: Kar Yan Cheung
Designer, Bruce Mau Design
TEAM EXPERT: Aimee Carson
Community Food Project Manager, Evergreen
TEAM EXPERT: Wayne Roberts
Canadian Food Policy Analyst
LEAD DESIGNER: Christopher Pandolfi
Department of Unusual Certainties
LEAD DESIGNER: Brendan Cormier
Department of Unusual Certainties
DOCUMENTER: Lizzie Gresh
Project Manager, Evergreen
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karen Lin Thorsley
Student, Graphic Design, George Brown College
TEAM MEMBERS:
Barbara White
Caroline Magar, Aedifica
Elizabeth Gonzalez, Asset Management, Facilities Projects, Region of Halton
Harry Ha
Indira Dutt
Jenny Hill, MOP Landscape
Jessa Sy, Student, Architectural Technology, George Brown Collage
Laura Headley, Student, Industrial Design, OCAD University
Shelley Kirkbride, Student, Institute without Boundaries
Paul DeCampo, Slow Food Toronto
Dr. Mark Gorgolewski, Professor, Director for graduate program in building science, Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
Brad Long, Chef, Restaurant Makeover/ Food Network
Seema Pabari, President, Tiffinday Inc.
Morgan Skowronski, Analyst, Metrolinx
Rhonda Teitel-Payne, Green Barn Manager, The Stop
Arlene Stein, Director, Visitor Experience for Evergreen Brick Work Centre for Green Cities
Tim Stoate, VP Impact Investing the Toronto Atmospheric Fund
Heather Wray, Founder of Sky Garden, Student, University of Toronto
