Greed, need or creed? Farmland ethics in the rural-urban fringe

This paper classifies and describes farmland ethics in the urban fringe using the case of Edmonton, Canada. A conceptual framework distinguishes ethical views on farmland conversion into three categories: econocentric, biocentric and theocentric. The Edmonton case examines ethical dimensions of land policy following a massive annexation of farmland to the city (1981–1997). Analyses of policy documents of the City and position statements of two agricultural organizations demonstrate that the prevailing econocentric ethic of the City is being influenced by the theocentric perspective of both groups. An understanding of disparate ethical views on farmland conversion among stake-holders may suggest policy options that reduce land use conflict in the urban periphery.