Greed: Need or Creed? Farmland Ethics in the Rural-Urban Fringe, Harry Spaling and John R. Wood, Land Use Policy VoI. 15, No 2, pp. 105-118, 1998
Abstract:
This paper classifies and describes farmland ethics In the urban fringe using the case of Edmonton, Canada. A con-
ceptual framework distinguishes ethical views on farmland conversion into three categories: econocentric, biocentric and
theocentrlc. The Edmonton case examines ethical dimensions of land pelicy following a massive annexation of
farmland to the city (1981-1997). Analyses of policy documents of the City and position statements of two agricul-
tursl organizations demonstrate that the prevailing econocantric ethic of the City Is being Influenced by the theocentric
perspective of both groups. An under- standing of disparate ethical views on farmland conversion among stake-
holders may suggest policy options that reduce land use conflict in the urban periphery.