​Domestic Food Forests in Public Spaces: Urban rewilding, improving food security and community resilience

Environmentalism is in, rewilding is a household term, and the cost of living is rising. So… do urban Food Forests in public spaces present a transformative opportunity to address both issues. These gardens aren’t just a means to grow food, they are a vision for regenerative, biodiverse urban spaces that can provide benefits for both the environment and the communities they serve. By integrating perennial, edible plants into public spaces, we not only provide free organic food but can also store carbon, create urban habitat mosaics and cultivate a sense of shared responsibility. Urban Food Forests can rewild our towns and cities, improving food security and community resilience.
 
Ecological Benefits: Nourishing Nature and the Planet 

Food Forests in public spaces are a multifaceted planting system. Unlike some other forms of food production, these schemes adopt permaculture principles, creating diverse self-sustaining ecosystems that mimic natural woodland systems. This approach encourages the growth of a wide variety of plants and produce, such as fruit trees and shrubs, perennial vegetables and herbs.
These gardens help to enhance biodiversity. By planting a mix of native and edible species, we create habitats for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. This fosters a more resilient ecosystem, as it increases the variety of life that can thrive in urban spaces, which are less considered and lacking in natural habitats. The result is a healthier, more balanced environment that can better withstand environmental stresses like pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions.
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Additionally, many edible plants utilised in Food Forest planting are also known to be beneficial to pollinators, such as the native, Crambe maritima, Allium fistulosum and also most fruit trees and herbs. With woodchip as mulch, a diverse planting matrix of native and non-native edible plants and heterogeneous forms, a Food Forest has the potential to provide superior food and habitats for invertebrates and other wildlife when compared to other, less considered, council planted schemes.
I believe that urban Food Forests could help to create habitat mosaics, acting as a green corridor for wildlife to move through the towns and into the adjacent habitats. Linking the nearby fields, hedgerows woodlands and other habitats.
 
Food Forests also play a role in carbon sequestration. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. By converting underutilized public spaces into green, food-producing areas, we can transform urban landscapes into carbon sinks that actively combat the environmental challenges we face.
 
Another critical benefit is water conservation. Food Forests typically incorporate techniques such as mulching and drought-tolerant species that reduce the need for irrigation and help manage stormwater. In urban areas, where concrete and asphalt dominate, these gardens can play a significant role in improving water management, reducing runoff, and replenishing groundwater supplies.
 
Community Benefits: Free, Organic Food and Shared Responsibility 

Beyond their ecological impact, urban Food Forests have profound social benefits. Access to free, organic food in urban spaces is a powerful tool in addressing food insecurity, which may become more pertinent considering the potential impacts of the climate and cost of living crisis. In many cities, fresh produce can be expensive and difficult to find, particularly for those living in food deserts—areas where access to healthy, affordable food is limited. Edible gardens in public spaces can fill this gap, providing free access to nutritious food for anyone who needs it.
 
These gardens also offer an opportunity for community empowerment. When people come together to plant, tend, and harvest in a public edible garden, they forge connections and strengthen their local networks. Neighbours become stewards of the land, working collaboratively toward a shared goal. This sense of ownership and community engagement fosters a deeper connection to both the environment and each other, creating stronger, more resilient communities.
 
Furthermore, edible forest gardens offer educational opportunities. They can serve as outdoor classrooms where people of all ages learn about sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Schools, community centres, and local organizations can partner to host workshops and programs, fostering a culture of sustainability and teaching future generations the importance of food systems and ecological health.
 
Evidence of Impact: Real-World Examples 

There are already successful examples of Food Forests in public spaces that demonstrate their potential. In the city of Vancouver, the "Edible Forest Garden" initiative has transformed urban parks into lush, productive landscapes. Not only do these gardens provide food for local residents, but they have also become community gathering spaces and educational hubs.
 
Similarly, in our own UK, the "Incredible Edible" movement has inspired towns and cities across the country to plant edible gardens in public spaces. From herbs to fruit trees, these gardens have become symbols of self-sufficiency, community resilience, and environmental stewardship.
 
Could we ‘rewild’ our towns and cities, create habitat mosaics for wildlife, store carbon and produce lots of free, organic food while we do it? I think it’s possible, so why wouldn’t we?

By Zac Harris MSc (Hons) Land and Ecological Restoration, BSc (Hons) Horticulture (Garden and Landscape Design).