Urban Homesteading: Non-Consumer Culture in a Consumerist World

By Austin Mardon, Catherine Mardon, Kyra Droog and 3 more

A new generation of urban homesteaders are leading the way in environmental consciousness and sustainable living in a world of consumerism and imposing climate change.

Learn the skills, habits and choices that you can make to become more self-reliant in an urban setting and to reduce your mark on the world around you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Meteorite Press
• Release date: Jun 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781773691053

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Urban Homesteading: Non-Consumer Culture in a Consumerist World

Urban Homesteading: Non-Consumer Culture in a Consumerist World

By Austin Mardon, Catherine Mardon, Kyra Droog, Ishita Verma, Shawna Harline-MBA, and Mark Unruh.

A Golden Meteorite Press Book.

Printed in Canada.

© Copyright 2019, Austin Mardon

Golden Meteorite Press, Edmonton.

All rights reserved for Urban Homesteading: Non-Consumer Culture in a Consumerist World ©.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, microfilm reproduction and copying, or, otherwise, without the prior express written permission of Golden Meteorite Press.

First Printing: 2019

Cover design by Milo Knauer

Typesetting by Kelsey Skene

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ISBN: 978-1-77369-105-3 (ebook)

Introduction: Urban Homesteading in a Consumerist Culture

Urban homesteading is the name given to a broad set of skills, habits and choices that individuals make to become more self reliant in an urban setting. For some, urban homesteading is a lifestyle and begins to define many aspects of everyday life. Urban homesteaders seek to live naturally, take less from the world around them, and connect with nature. Many attitudes and desires can lead a person to homestead in the city, such as desires to reduce chemicals, save money, and rely less on the system around themselves. Urban homesteaders do not exist within a particular demographic, as everyone regardless of age, race, gender, or financial situation can be drawn to the culture.

This book is intended as an introduction to the urban homesteading lifestyle, meant for a reader to pick and choose which aspects fit their lifestyle and find more exhaustive manuals for those specific areas. This book gives an outline of the types of decisions a beginner will have to make as well as a general idea of the commitment required. In no way does this book constitute an exhaustive study of everything an urban homesteader can come across; instead, it merely pricks the surface of an incredible and fulfilling lifestyle available to anyone and everyone.

Urban homesteading has existed in some form since neighbourhoods were defined as urban areas. Humans seem to have an innate desire to connect with nature and enjoy cultivating life through activities like gardening. Urban homesteading grew in popularity during World War I when people began growing food both so more resources could be sent to soldiers and to save money. These wartime urban gardens were given the nickname Victory Gardens as the combined effort of individual garden plots in the United States was a yield of over a billion dollars worth of food by the end of World War I. Victory gardens continued to gain popularity in World War II; in fact, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt had a victory garden at the White House (Brownlee, 2017). Following World War II, victory gardens began disappearing as the need for growing food to support troops had passed. Some urban dwellers continued growing food for their families, but urban gardening lost some popularity for over a decade.

The 1960’s saw a movement of people wishing to live on the land and become more connected to nature. This push for sustainable living and environmental consciousness caused groups of people to migrate to rural areas where families could live off the land more effectively and take advantage of larger yards and more connection to the world upon which they exist. Those who did not leave urban centers took up urban homesteading. Like victory gardens, these people worked to grow as much of their own food as possible, to reduce the amount of waste they placed back into the system, and to treat the earth as well as they treated themselves, their families, and their homes.

In 2009, the Derveas Institute registered the term urban homesteading and, to the confusion of many legal professionals, received a supplemental register from the patent and trademark office in the United States. Urban homesteading had been used as a broad term on many websites and in print sources and the Derveas Institute began contacting writers and content creators to cease using the term. This legal contention led to many small businesses having websites and social media pages deleted and led to a farmers market in Denver having to close over the contention. Finally, in 2017, the trademark was cancelled allowing anyone to write about urban homesteading without crediting the Derveas Institute; unfortunately though, the years where the trademark was in effect were damaging to those wanting to help others live sustainably (Brownlee, 2017).

Currently, a new generation of urban homesteaders are joining the legacy as concerns over climate change become commonplace. Some people have a desire to live sustainably for many of the same reasons previous generations felt drawn to the lifestyle. Urban homesteading can create confidence in people who have anxiety about the future, who fear a future day of food scarcity, and who want to provide for their own needs. Today, fear over chemicals and pesticides in food have led young adults to want to provide for themselves with confidence in where their food comes from and what is in it. As demonstrated throughout this book, urban homesteading goes far past food self reliance and branches into virtually every aspect of a person's lifestyle.

Some people become discouraged by the conditions people in developing countries are forced into to make fast fashion clothing items, along with the environmental toll of the fashion industry, a movement of thrift store buyers, sewers and menders is growing. Modern homesteaders are making their own cleaning supplies, soaps, clothing, and thrifting instead of buying new. None of these ideas are new, but millennials and other generations can be very frugal and look at methods to reduce costs wherever possible. Modern homesteaders are even bringing new technology and merging these advancements with old ideas to create a fusion which can be the best of both worlds. Smart gardens are one example of this where people can utilize technology to aid in their gardening.

The following chapters will provide information about several topics within urban homesteading. The best place to begin on a journey towards living sustainably would be to consider your individual situation. Take stock of what are your motivations for beginning an urban homestead. Consider what resources exist and what legal restrictions exist in the area. Finally, reach out to the local community. Urban homesteading is not a new concept and in every major city people are applying urban homesteading ideas. Research if there are online groups in your area or classes put on by the community or local companies. People who have successfully integrated sustainable living practices tend to be happy to share what has worked and hasn’t worked on their individual journey.

Urban homesteading can feel overwhelming, so begin with a reasonable goal and work from there. Perhaps an herb garden is a good first step, then start where you can and grow as your comfort level grows. Local governments may provide help for people desiring to become urban homesteaders. Some areas include tax rebates as incentives to convert to sustainable energy in the home or business. Many cities are changing to sorted garbage systems where compost bins are provided and recycling is encouraged. These are simple ways to begin living more environmentally friendly. If your local government does not have any assistance for sustainable living, consider writing to local representatives and encouraging support for individuals who are trying to live a more environmentally friendly life.

As the urban homesteading movement looks to the future, one thing most people are certain about is that urban homesteading is not disappearing. If anything, as more young people become passionate about combating climate change, the next generation may see more homesteaders join the ranks. And as these environmentally conscious young people grow and become future government leaders and law writers, some are hoping the legal limitations on urban homesteading can be lightened to allow more people to reduce their carbon footprint.

Whichever aspects of urban homesteading you choose to integrate into your lifestyle, the tips presented in the following chapters will offer inspiration and a basic overview to aid you in your quest.

Section 1: Housing

Introduction: The Many Housing Choices

As an urban homesteader, selecting a house can have unique opportunities. Some people have seen the cost involved with traditional home ownership and decided to instead live in non-traditional homes. Building with shipping containers, or living in a tiny home are options which can be appealing to homesteaders seeking to live more sustainably. When choosing where to live in an urban area, gentrification can be a significant issue which is when neighbourhood rejuvenation changes the dynamics of a community. Gentrification often leads to low-income individuals being priced out of their homes, and is a trend worth watching when deciding where to live. Housing is a significant decision to make for everyone, but for an urban homesteader, housing may require space to raise animals, a kitchen for preserving food, space for a garden, or access to local farmers markets, public transit or thrift stores. Regardless of what type of housing is chosen, an urban homesteader can make a space which is more sustainable and kind to the environment.

Chapter 1: Gentrification

According to Merriam Webster, gentrification is the process of repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses in a deteriorating area (Merriam Webster, 2019). Though the thought of revitalization can be appealing in large cities, gentrification is never quite that simple. While those in favor of improving the look of older neighbourhoods argue that investing in aesthetic can be a positive change, these improvements can cause small businesses and lower income individuals to be priced out of their homes.

The term gentrification has even been applied to other contexts like, for example, when a food item becomes popularized by mainstream Western society to the point where the cultural groups which have enjoyed the food historically, can’t afford it anymore. This was the case with quinoa; as quinoa became popular in western society, people who had relied on the high protein levels of quinoa in South America could not continue enjoying this dietary staple, as the price increased significantly. (Elwakil, 2017). The quinoa case study has a similar outcome to gentrification of urban centers in large cities: wealthier people see the benefits of living in a traditionally lower class neighbourhood, demand overtakes supply, and those who had historically lived in the neighbourhood are forced to move somewhere more affordable. Gentrification is a significant and complex issue affecting urban centers around the world.

Causes

To put it simply, gentrification occurs when affordable communities become desirable to middle and upper class people. As demand for a neighbourhood exceeds supply, those who can afford to pay more often end up displacing working class or low income individuals. As individuals with more disposable incomes take over a community, commercial rent also becomes more expensive and smaller businesses have to move as large corporations raise the rent for retail space. These changes can improve the neighbourhood in some ways, but at the cost of the local culture by changing the character and demographics of the area.

Palen and London, in their paper Gentrification, Displacement and Neighbourhood Revitalization, listed five causes of gentrification which include demographic-ecological, sociocultural, political-economical, community networks, and social movements (Palen & London, 1984). Typically, gentrification is caused by a combination of several factors and is considered a complex issue affecting many people.

The first cause Palen and London state for gentrification is demographic-ecological factors. Demographic changes have occurred throughout time, but can be specifically seen within the past 50 years as more women enter the workforce, people wait to have children or put them off entirely and two income households become the norm rather than the exception. As more couples are childless and have two incomes, priorities for housing are changing. Once, living near good schools was the priority for couples in their twenties; now, more and more white-collar working couples are moving into cities to minimise commute times, thereby pushing up property values in the inner city. Previous generations may have valued the lifestyle a suburb could offer, but for some, life in the downtown core has more advantages, leading to gentrification by demographic change.

Next, Palen and London listed sociocultural factors as defining the cause of gentrification. Sociocultural factors refer to changing ideas and values, including those listed within demographic changes, but also the desire some people have to live in historic districts within a city or near the artistic centers of a region. A push to move into and save a historic area of a city can be as much a cause for gentrification as the changing ideas about suburban life. For example, wanting to move into a certain landmark or building that has been in the community for hundreds of years and is seen as central to the culture of a community would constitute a sociocultural factor that causes gentrification.

Political and economic forces can also be a cause of gentrification within a city. These factors come into play when political or economic climate changes lead to people with more disposable incomes moving into traditionally run-down areas like the inner city. One example of this is in the United States, when laws were placed against discrimination for people looking to purchase and rent homes. Suddenly Americans of African descent were more easily able to move into the suburbs, and the city became a more appealing option for high-earning white individuals who could cut their commute times by moving closer to their jobs. Gentrification wasn’t the purpose of the anti-discrimination laws, but it occured in the aftermath of the laws regardless.

Another cause of gentrification, noted by Palen and London, is community networks. Community networks can both grow and diminish due to gentrification. In our modern world, people rely less and less on their neighbours and local community for resources and support. We are more connected than ever, and gentrification can encourage a lack of connectedness with our nearest neighbours. Technology like email, texting, and other forms of social media are negating the requirement for physical interaction in favour of online interaction, meaning that our local community and our online community are becoming two separate entities. On the opposing side, some argue that gentrification can revitalize a neighbourhood and breathe some new life into it which can actually improve a community network.

The final cause Palen and London defines for gentrification is social movements. People see deteriorating neighbourhoods within their beloved cities and want something done about it. Movements can be created to appeal to politicians to revitalize areas that are in need of resources and financial assistance. Those lobbying for change are often heard over those opposing such improvements, because spending towards revitalization can typically bring in higher taxes, which provides incentive for this type of spending. Too often though, spending without creating a safety net for current citizens in the neighbourhood can create gentrification as the neighbourhood becomes more desirable and too expensive for the people who currently live there.

Effects

Because gentrification is a complex and multifaceted issue, the effects of gentrification can be both positive and negative. The main effect commonly cited in conversations about gentrification is displacement of current residents. Displacement affects both small business owners and individuals living in gentrified neighbourhoods. Increases in rental and property tax can lead people to leave their current neighbourhoods because they can no longer afford to live there, which leaves room for wealthier inhabitants to move in. Those who are monetarily secure enough to stay, however, see lower crime rates and an improved local economy, which appears extremely beneficial. What isn’t often seen, is that higher housing prices can increase poverty rates among minority groups. Displacement disproportionately impacts racial minorities, and increases in homelessness have been recorded in gentrified areas (Lehrer & Winkler, 2006). So, though lower crime rates and improved local economies are a positive result of gentrification, displacement and homelessness are a negative result.

Due to displacement of primarily racial and cultural minorities, gentrification can create significant social changes in gentrified communities. New people to the community who have more disposable income may struggle to relate to their working class neighbours, because though they live in the same community, they exist in different social classes. Individuals of different ethnic groups may not mix well with newcomers who may be seen as a negative addition to the neighbourhood. It’s natural for hostility to be harboured towards change-makers, and in cases such as these, change-makers are those people with disposable incomes that are moving into a community with good intentions, often not realizing the negative effects of their decision.

Note, however, that not all effects of gentrification are negative. Higher housing costs and higher household income brings higher taxes for a community, and the increased revenue can be used to promote community development. Additionally, and as mentioned earlier, lower crime rates and improved local economies can revitalize communities, bringing them a higher status both around the community itself and in the greater area in which the community exists. There isn’t a way of establishing whether gentrification will cause predominantly positive or negative effects either: because gentrification is so complex and includes so many factors in so many layers, the only way to see the effects of gentrification is to do exactly that: to analyze the community as changes occur and to see what results from the changes.

Control

As gentrification has taken over many major cities around the developed world, people have looked to experts to establish how to maximum the benefits, while minimizing the negative consequences. For example, an attempt at minimising displacement has been seen in Los Angeles, where inclusionary zoning laws have required a portion of low income housing be maintained as higher cost housing options are built (Morris, 2008). This ensures that while some displacement will inevitably occur, the level of displacement occurring in other gentrified areas will not be replicated. Inclusionary zoning laws are just one way that the government or community government can become involved in minimizing the negative consequences of gentrification

Another tactic that citizens concerned about gentrification have used is intentional sabotage. In San Francisco, a group of residents began an organized effort of property destruction in an attempt to discourage gentrifiers from moving in. This type of violent and destructive behaviour was opposed by nearly everyone in the community, including the San Francisco Police and other anti-gentrification activists looking for a more reasonable effort to prevent gentrification. This example of a radical method to reduce gentrification efforts may have reduced the number of people who moved into one specific community, but also negatively impacted the overall community environment; not just for those who wanted to move in, but also for those people who were currently living in the community.

You may be wondering what options we have to fight against the negative consequences of gentrification. One task that a community member can do to combat gentrification is identify if they are among the ‘gentry’. The most common people to create gentrification are those in the upper-middle class who do not have children. The upper class have the ability to move as the costs of moving can be accomodated, especially if they do not have dependents to care for. Other groups which historically have been identified as members of the gentry are women, artists and members of the LGBT community (Butler, 1997). Identifying if you are among