Croydon's Edible Map

One of the resources that inspired me on my quest to get the residents of Fairfield ward gardening was this map created by Mikey Tomkins. The map itself is a true 'street and building' representation of central Croydon but realising and adding in all the potential food growing spaces. He suggests that out of the 25 hectares of land about 7.25 ha could be used for food growing. In this parallel universe of truly locally grown food rooftops, public spaces and undefined areas are made productive. Mikey (among a growing number of others) understands that city dwellers lose out on the 'local food' phenomenon. Land is at a premium in the city and growing food is seen as a poor use of it. However, Mikey helps us to see that land does not to be reallocated or 'downgraded'. In fact he advocates mixed use of land by 'doubling up'. We can use the flat rooftops of very commercially successful buildings such as shopping centres for growing vegetables, fruit and even bee keeping.


Take a look below. I hope it inspires you, like it did me, to look at your local area with very different and hungry eyes!