The Phoenix is a sustainable redevelopment of a 7.9-hectare brownfield site in Lewes, led by Human Nature. The project will create 700 homes, including 30% affordable housing, using engineered timber and renewable energy. It prioritizes pedestrians, reducing car reliance and fostering community sharing. Key features include public squares, a canteen, event hall, taproom, fitness center, workspaces, and green spaces like parks, rooftop gardens, and wildlife-friendly areas.
In 2024 I was commissioned to analyse the plans and develop a vision for how urban agriculture, together with local farms and markets could turn help develop a sustainable food system for the proposed site. Much of my work involves retrofitting food growing into existing buildings and open spaces. By contrast, the Phoenix plans represent a blank canvas and an opportunity to embed food growing and food systems within the very fabric of the neighbourhood in conversation with the build process. This might mean building capacity to grow food in the future as well as using the empty spaces awaiting development for meanwhile gardens. Overall, it’s a chance to develop a food system that’s a permanent addition rather than a response to rushed crisis.
The above image represent s a summary of my thinking around land use for food production on the site. It is not about the site producing 100% of the food consumed but about it producing a high yield as a contribution to its food needs. It’s also about creative ideas such as mobile gardens, and mobile trees, as well as time based mapping that allows land awaiting development to become productive during the months or years it might be fallow.
