"Urban agriculture has been viewed by its supporters as one of the key means of improving the food security of marginalised city-based communities throughout the world. In this well-researched and provocative book Alec Thornton argues, however, that - in seeking to create new food futures - urban activism is largely thwarted under conditions of neoliberalism in the global North. In the global South, poor governance structures place a fetter on what can be achieved by local communities. Thornton argues that a much stronger culture of urban activism will be a crucial catalyst for the growth of urban agriculture. The book will be of interest to agri-food researchers, urban community activists, policy makers and a host of others committed to pursuing social equity and food justice." (Geoffrey Lawrence PhD, FASSA, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Queensland, Australia) "Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) are rightly attracting far greater attention worldwide in the light of renewed emphasis on urban food security in uncertain times and as a component of urban sustainability, greening and carbon footprint reduction initiatives. UPA's many co-benefits are still weakly understood and Alec Thornton's timely book blends empirical evidence with conceptual engagement very effectively in highlighting the key justice and equity issues involved. It should be read by all practitioners and academics concerned with urban sustainability writ large.

" (David Simon, Director, Mistra Urban Futures, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, and Professor of Development Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK).