Starting the seeds : an urban agriculture land inventory in the city of Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Abstract

Urban households in the United States are experiencing a growing crisis of food insecurity. This trend is driven by increasing food prices, limited access to fresh and healthy food, and recent reductions in food assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits upon which millions of Americans rely. One potential strategy to address this challenge is urban agriculture (UA), or the cultivation of food within urban environments. This study conducts a land inventory of vacant, abandoned, or “surplus” parcels that may be suitable for urban agricultural production in Richmond, Virginia. Using open-source data, aerial imagery, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, the analysis identifies parcels within the city limits and analyzes their potential for UA based on criteria established by existing literature. The results indicate that opportunities for residential UA exist within the city, particularly in census blocks affected by low food security. These findings provide a foundation for future site selection, as well as for programs and policies aimed at promoting equitable UA in the City of Richmond.