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Main article: Beekeeping

Urban beekeeping is the practice of keeping bee colonies in urban areas. It is an attempt to revert to a less industrialized way of obtaining honey by utilizing small-scale colonies that pollinate urban gardens. Urban bees are housed in apiaries, or bee yards where the bee hives are located [1].

Most cities in North America at one time, banned the keeping of bees in urban areas because residents didn't want stinging insects active in their neighbourhoods; however an underground community persisted and governments largely turned a blind eye awaiting complaints. In recent years, beekeepers lobbied government and in many parts of the world were able to changed these laws thru educating the public on the value of bees as pollinators. Urban bees pollinate a wide variety of plants, from root vegetables, fruits, and flowers [2]

Bees pollinating a neighbourhood dandelion.

To minimize any fears of bee swarms and aggressive bee behaviour, preventive beekeeping habits are necessary. These include: correct hive placement, placement near a water source, and proper selection of a Queen bee. Most urban areas are now regulated thru registration, extensive by-laws, and safe practise guidelines.

Bees producing honey in a hive.

The popularity of urban beekeeping has been steadily increasing due in part to its inclusion in the local food movement, which is a community effort to build and support local products enhancing sustainability and self reliance. Between 1999 and 2012, New York and London, saw a 220% increase in beekeepers. While many urban centres have now legalized urban beekeeping, the licensing and standards of practise vary from city to city. The number of urban beehives also varies greatly from city to city and official counts may be inaccurate if hives are not registered or licensed.

People take up urban beekeeping for a number of reasons. Many hobbyists are concerned about the future of bees and their main interest is in creating a sustainable urban ecology. Some believe that locally sourced honey also contributes to a healthier lifestyle for people by providing a minimally processed sweetener. Others believe it assists with articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/05/27/can-eating-local-honey-cure-allergies.aspx allergy] control though this has not been scientifically proven. Some scientists also believe that urban beekeeping could help defend bees from Colony collapse disorder. and some have found that "city bees" are actually healthier than "rural bees" because there are fewer pesticides and greater biodiversity.

Individuals, as well as organizations such as hotels, museums and department stores keep bees in urban areas. Famous landmark hives include: Buckingham Palace,Tate Modern, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Waldorf Astoria New York, the Vancouver Convention Centre, [3] and The White House.

Major Urban Beekeeping Cities

London Urban Beekeeping

Beekeeping in London has become an increasingly popular hobby, though government registration is not required. There is currently no law that beekeepers must inform their neighbours about the hives, however registration is mandatory. In 2012, an estimated 75% of London apiaries were operated without license. As of 2012, an estimated 3,200 apiaries existed in London. Due to limited green areas, there is on average 10 beehives per square kilometre which leads to competition for space, nectar and pollen causing compromised health of the bees. This means that the population of urban bees has gradually decreased primarily because of habitat loss, and in part because of pesticides and disease. Organization supporting best practices for urban beekeeping in London include:

• The London Beekeeper's Association aims to promote responsible beekeeping, share advice on beekeeping, as well as raising bee awareness by informing the public about bee issues. Members of the LBA are expected to attend monthly meetings for notifications about current events to do with beekeeping, are assigned mentors to gain knowledge, and have access to borrowing beekeeping supplies.
• Urban Bees UK is another organization who offers help, support, education, and train interested beekeeping in the central UK area. Members of Urban Bees are provided training courses and partnered with organizations to safe promote beekeeping.
• British Beekeepers Association is dedicated to the education of bees and the importance of bees in the environment. They support 24, 000 amateur beekeepers and about 3 million bee pollinators by offering courses, advice, and insurance. Membership benefits include: public and product liability insurance, monthly membership magazine prescriptions, and participation in the Annual Spring Convention and Exhibition.

New York Urban Beekeeping

Until 2010, urban beekeeping was banned in New York primarily due to the fear of being stung. This did not deter many New Yorkers from building and maintaing hives. Before the ban was lifted, urban beekeeping was already maturely established through organizations, blogs, and supply stores. The ban was lifted by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, only if beekeepers kept the species "Apis Mellifera[4]," a non aggressive bee

Western honey bee

As of 2012, there were about 200 bee colonies and many more unreported bee hives situated on New York rooftops. The City of New York requires adherence to beekeeping laws, reports of swarming, and any disruptions that may pose a risk to the public, outlines in the New York City Beekeeping Registration and Form. Organizations supporting best practices for urban beekeeping in New York include:

• New York City Beekeepers Association is made up of bee enthusiast who aim to share knowledge, educate, and promote the benefits of urban beekeeping while maintaing a sustainable attitude. Member services include access to weekly newsletters, social functions, hands on workshops, mentoring program, and beekeeping courses.
• New York City Beekeeping is another resource for both aspiring and current beekeepers to learn and discuss any issues with beekeeping in the New York City area. Courses, mentorship programs, and weekly meeting are some of the services this organization provides.

Vancouver Urban Beekeeping

Often regarded as a "green" and actively sustainable city, in 2003, the City of Vancouver adopted hobby beekeeping in residential areas. Effective in 2006, participant beekeepers must register with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Land and adhere to the outlined municipal guidelines, that explain the responsibilities of urban beekeepers and ways to maintain safe hives in residential areas. In March 2010, Vancouver City Hall installed two hives which allow for 50, 000 bees on its roof. Organization supporting best practices for urban beekeeping in Vancouver include:

• The Bee School run by beekeeper Brian Campbell is the first certification program in British Columbia to offer a comprehensive program in sustainable small-scale organic urban beekeeping.
• Hives for Humanity is a non profit organization that connects at-risk communities to nature to achieve a common goal of establishing self autonomy, belonging, and community pride. Hives for Humanity uses beekeeping as a therapeutic activity for those who are looking for an escape from day-to-day problems of Vancouver street life.
• Strathcona Beekepers is a Vancouver blog that is dedicated to discussing, informing, and exchanging information about bees and helpful advice to beekeepers. It also offers resources of what bees to buy, beekeeping supplies, plants, and bee keeping courses.
• Vancouver Honeybees is another beekeeping community that is committed to sustainable beekeeping, while also providing educational about bees.

Other Cities

Urban beekeeping is thriving in many major cities to address sustainability, raise awareness of the importance of bees, honey production, and an attempt to preserve bee populations in urban areas. Some other major cities include:

• Melbourne, Australia
• Hong Kong, China
• Portland, USA
• San Francisco, USA
• Sydney, Australia
• Toronto, Canada