The Agro-Perma-Lab Foundation, at the invitation of the Malta Foundation, participated in one of the meetings of the City Academy – a 5-weekend cycle dedicated to the theme of ‘Sensitive Cities.’ A free course for all those interested in the theory and practice of creating sensitive cities, working for their residents, and adapting eco-centric solutions during planetary change aimed to prepare its participants for better adaptation to climate change. The program included discussions and workshops with experts and practitioners. The educators from APLab made a guest appearance at the Academy during the II Meeting dedicated to food issues.
FOR WHOM?
The previous year’s edition of the City Academy was designed for everyone interested in reflecting on the creation of sensitive cities in the context of climate change and grassroots and administrative actions for their residents. It was attended by urban activists, animators, architects, researchers, and officials, as well as students and graduates of humanities and arts disciplines.
BY WHAT METHODS?
During five full-day weekend meetings, experts and participants in the City Academy explored existing solutions to the social and infrastructural problems of sensitive cities. Through a combination of lectures, performative walks, meetings, and workshops, the Academy provided a space where knowledge and experience converged with creative practices.
PROGRAM OF THE 2ND MEETING WITH AGRO-PERMA-LAB: FOOD MATTERS
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in urban agriculture, driven by a recognition of the importance of a robust local food network in or near cities. Experts point out two key reasons for this resurgence. Firstly, it is linked to the acknowledgment that food production, especially in the context of supply chains, exacerbates the problem of increasing ecological footprints. Secondly, ensuring sovereign food policies at the municipal or regional level serves as a counter to industrial-scale monocultural farming practices that contribute to environmental pollution and soil depletion. During the two-day meeting, participants familiarized themselves with the actions proposed in the context of “new cooperativism.” They practiced how alternative food flows between urban and rural areas could look and acquired knowledge about practices that they later applied in their assignments and projects.
Conducted by: Agro-Perma-Lab Foundation: Joanna Bojczewska, Klaudia Kryńska
Why does the Malta Foundation organize the City Academy?
Malta Festival Poznań has been transforming public spaces into meeting places for people and artistic activities for 30 years. For seven years, as part of the festival, we have been running the artistic-social program Generator Malta. We initiated activities in several community gardens and implemented dozens of artistic projects in public spaces dedicated to the city and its citizens. During the City Academy, we want to share and exchange experiences and knowledge. The City Academy is a project implemented by the Malta Foundation as part of the School of Spectator program, with the financial support of the City of Poznań.