A joint project between Humboldt-Universität and Technische Universität is focusing on the concept of the “Edible City.” The scientists involved in “EdiCitNet” (Integrating Edible City Solutions for Social Resilient and Sustainable Productive Cities) are looking into the public cultivation of vegetables and fruit in inner cities, a worldwide trend. Vegetable beds and fruit trees are being planted in an increasing number of cities, thus replacing flower beds or lawns. City dwellers are allowed to sow, weed, and finally harvest. The project is being funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020.

Dr. Ina Säumel, head of the Multifunctional Landscapes junior research group at the Institute for Ecology at Technische Universität Berlin and associated with the Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems (IRI THESys) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, is leading the project, which is located at the IRI THESys interdisciplinary research institute.

The European Commission is funding “EdiCitNet” with around 12 million euros over the next five years. The Berlin partners, the Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing, Technische Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (IRI THESys), Mundraub, and Nolde & Partner will receive around 3.8 million euros of the total funding amount. The rest will be distributed among universities and partners in European, Asian, African, and Latin American cities.