Urban Agriculture Magazine
August 2003, no. 10

Dear Readers

This is already no.10 of our Magazine, and if it is up to us many more will follow. We did receive many article contributions and descriptions of micro-technologies this time. Not all of them were published as an article, but we tried to accommodate as much as possible of your experiences in boxes. We present you 26 experiences from all over the world. The articles emphasize how the technologies have been adapted to urban-specific situations and how continuous research and training are contributing to their widespread use. Some of the technologies presented have been developed specifically for the urban setting. Hydroponics or the Cuban 'organoponics' for example, will be familiar to many readers. Other practices such as those that make use of waste and wastewater treatment may not be so well known. The small-scale irrigation and composting practices discussed are quite similar to those used in rural settings.
Urban agriculture is increasingly recognised as a vehicle for the development of productive and sustainable cities. It is heartening to note that several cities have created specific agencies for urban agriculture or are implementing related policies and programmes. It is hoped that this issue of the UA-Magazine will encourage stakeholders, including governments, research institutes, NGOs, and farmers, to work together in developing and implementing similar urban agricultural initiatives which will make cities cleaner, safer and more healthier places to live in.
You are invited to contribute to future issues of the Urban Agriculture Magazine. For the next two issues on Access tot Land (no.11) and Gender (no.12) your contributions is invited, while we are discussing a special issue on Urban Forestry. Articles would ideally be up to 2,500 words in length, and preferably accompanied by illustrations (digital and of good quality), references and an abstract. As suggested by the Editorial Board, we welcome your contributions on any subject. Articles will be examined for selection by the editorial team consisting of the RUAF-based responsible editor and the external scientific advisor/co-editor.
The UA-Magazine in Chinese no. 3 is under production. The Arabic version of the UA-Magazine no.1 has been published and distributed, while no. 2 is under production. The Spanish edition of the UA-Magazine of no. 8 and 9 are published, and no. 10. to be released soon, while the French edition of the UA-Magazine no.7 and 8 are distributed. Readers in those languages are suggested to contact these institutes.
Looking forward to receiving your continued contribution or comments.
The Editor