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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2017) | Viewed by 102881

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Han Wiskerke

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

1. Rural Sociology Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
2. Foodscapes Research Group, Academy of Architecture, Amsterdam School of Arts, Waterlooplein 213, 1011 PG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: rural development; agri-food studies; alternative food networks; urban food provisioning; food planning; city-region food systems; foodscape studies and design; urban-rural linkages
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is increasing broad recognition that food is an integral part of the urban agenda. Cities in different parts of the world are developing policy and programme initiatives related to urban food provisioning. The 2007-2008 food price hikes, and climate-induced disruptions to food supply, have triggered a call for more resilient urban food systems. In addition, alarming increases in diet-related ill-health require cities to ensure access to sufficient, affordable, healthy and safe food to their population. As most eaters live in cities, it is becoming evident that municipal and local authorities have a responsibility in building more sustainable food systems that reduce food wastes, provide decent livelihood opportunities for those producing, processing and selling food (be it in rural, peri-urban, or urban areas), and promote environmental sustainable forms of food provisioning. Given the social, economic, and environmental importance of systems of urban food provisioning, these systems are being considered key to operationalising the integration of rural-urban linkages, planning, and climate change adaptation at a territorial level. In this context the notion of the city region, encompassing one or more urban centres and their surrounding peri-urban and rural hinterlands, becomes the relevant level of scale to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive solution for a future-proof foodscape. Development of resilient city region foodscapes requires political will and use of available policy and planning instruments, such as land use planning, design and development of infrastructure, and public food procurement. It also requires that city regions assess their own specific food dependencies and vulnerabilities, explore the opportunities to develop a variety of strategies by which to improve their food system, and identify roles to be played by different food system stakeholders.

For this Special Issue we welcome theoretical and empirical papers that explore the constituent parts of city region foodscapes and the complex set of socio-spatial relationships between eaters, food producers, and intermediaries, such as transporters, processors, and retailers. Both in-depth single case studies, as well as comparative analyses of city regions and their modes of food provisioning, are possible. We also appreciate papers that address the structural dimensions of the interrelationships between different foodscape actors by identifying factors that enable or hinder the supply and procurement of food. Finally we also look forward to receive papers about (building blocks for) new policy frameworks for resilient city region foodscapes.

Prof. Dr. Han Wiskerke
Guest Editor

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Keywords

city region
food system
foodscape
urban food strategy
urban- and peri-urban agriculture; urban-rural linkages
spatial design and planning
resilience

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

4676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping the Lisbon Potential Foodshed in Ribatejo e Oeste: A Suitability and Yield Model for Assessing the Potential for Localized Food Production

by Andreia Saavedra Cardoso, Tiago Domingos, Manuela Raposo De Magalhães, José De Melo-Abreu and Jorge Palma

Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2003; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112003 - 1 Nov 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7251

Abstract

Research on food planning has been recently proposed in North American and European planning to account for how cities might change their food provision to respond to the rising demands for a more sustainable and ethical food system. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the agro-ecological potential of the Lisbon city region, Ribatejo e Oeste, to increase its Regional Food Self-Reliance (RFSR), through adopting demand restraint and food system relocalization approaches to food system sustainability. Three new diet scenarios were considered: meat-based, plant-based and strict vegetarian, defined in accordance with healthy dietary patterns. We used agro-climatic and agro-edaphic agricultural suitability models to evaluate the agro-ecological potential for RFSR, and proposed the use of Foodshed Landscape Plans within a landscape planning methodology. Results showed the extent of local food production that could improve food self-reliance, with 72%, 76%, 84% of total food needs in the meat-based, plant-based, and strict vegetarian scenarios, respectively. Thus, food system transformation by means of relocalization, is therefore ecologically feasible and would ensure the sustainable use of the ecological basis of food security. Additionally, a dietary transition would imply significant land sparing, which strengthens the demand restraint perspective for a transition to food system sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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1072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing and Planning Sustainable City Region Food Systems: Insights from Two Latin American Cities

by Marielle Dubbeling, Guido Santini, Henk Renting, Makiko Taguchi, Louison Lançon, Juan Zuluaga, Luca De Paoli, Alexandra Rodriguez and Verónica Andino

Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1455; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081455 - 17 Aug 2017

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9179

Abstract

In the context of growing urbanisation, urban poverty, and climate change impacts, the importance of urban food security and urban food systems is increasingly recognised by both local and national governments, as well as international actors. There is also a growing understanding that urban development and food systems cannot be decoupled from rural development given the multiple impacts that urban areas have on their surroundings. In recent years the concept of City Region Food Systems (CRFS) has emerged as a promising approach to support local governments, policy makers, and multi-stakeholder bodies in making informed decisions to improve urban and regional food system sustainability and resilience, while taking into account a more integrated approach to territorial development across urban and rural areas. This paper is based on an ongoing FAO and RUAF programme of assessing and planning City Region Food Systems, currently implemented in eight city regions in Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Senegal, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, and Zambia. The paper analyses the content, definition and delimitations of the concept of City Region Food Systems by presenting two case studies from Latin America (Quito and Medellín), and discusses first advances in policy uptake and territorial food planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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1284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Location Matters: Determinants for “Deepening” and “Broadening” Diversification Strategies in Ruhr Metropolis’ Urban Farming

by Bernd Pölling and Marcus Mergenthaler

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071168 - 4 Jul 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6989

Abstract

Consumer-oriented diversification activities, such as direct sale (“deepening”) as well as tourism services and care farming (“broadening”), are common business strategies of farms within urban areas. This empirical study investigates determinants of urban farming’s diversification decisions by analyzing a dataset of 123 farmers in German Ruhr Metropolis. Binary logit models are used here as econometric method to determine characteristics influencing the decision to diversify. Farm characteristics, which encourage the implementation of “deepening” strategies, are: larger farm sizes, high-value production, organic farming, and livestock production. By contrast, the consumer-oriented “broadening” strategies tourism services and care farming prevail on smaller farms and on farms with horses and higher grassland shares. Agricultural extension services increase the odds to diversify. The results of the conducted binary logistic regressions show increasing odds and predicted probabilities for “deepening” and “broadening” activities when approaching the city. Farms’ location advantages close to cities can be used best when applying consumer-oriented “deepening” or “broadening” strategies; namely, direct sale or other short supply chains, tourism services, and care farming. Viable business strategies of urban farming support a forward-looking integration into urban economy, society, and decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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7856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fostering Sustainable Urban-Rural Linkages through Local Food Supply: A Transnational Analysis of Collaborative Food Alliances

by Potira Preiss, Flávia Charão-Marques and Johannes S. C. Wiskerke

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071155 - 2 Jul 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 10157

Abstract

The mainstream system of food supply has been heavily criticized in the last years due to its social and environmental impacts. Direct food purchasing schemes have emerged in recent decades as a form of supply that may be more ecologically sound and socially just, while allowing for a closer relationship between producers and consumers. The aim of this article is to show how a specific kind of direct supply, Collaborative Food Alliances, may help to foster sustainable urban–rural linkages. This paper presents, compares and discusses seven different cases, located in five different countries: Movimento de Integração Campo-Cidade (MICC) (Brazil), Canasta Comunitaria Utopía (Ecuador), GAS Testaccio Meticcio and Gasper (Italy), Grupo de Consumo Vera and Grupo de Consumo de Russafa (Spain), and De Groene Schuur at Zeist (The Netherlands). Analysis of the seven cases reveals that, through alliances between consumers and producers, solidarity and sustainable food supply are built. City dwellers benefit from such alliances by receiving organic products on a stable basis and at a fair price, while providing farmers with a stable income. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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4373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Staple Foodscape of Dar es Salaam

by Marc C. A. Wegerif and Johannes S. C. Wiskerke

Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9061081 - 21 Jun 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6959

Abstract

The city region foodscape is a relational space of spatially proximate as well as more distant relations. The current understanding of city region foodscapes will be enhanced by more analyses of what is happening in the African and Asian cities where rapid population growth and urbanization, with all its challenges and opportunities, is predominantly taking place. This paper explores the city foodscape of one such city, the rapidly growing Dar es Salaam with over 4.5 million inhabitants. By following some important foods for eaters in the city, this paper draws a picture of the changing shape and nature of Dar es Salaam’s foodscape and draws out lessons for debates on city region food systems and urban food planning. It is found that key staple foods are coming from the rural hinterland through a food system that is not part of or modeled on the globally dominant corporate food system and as such represents a working alternative. This food system neither fits within administrative boundaries nor relies primarily on local production. We argue that more academic and policy attention needs to be given to understanding and reinforcing such middle-ground, neither local nor global, food systems that are delivering at city feeding scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Processes of Participation in the Development of Urban Food Strategies: A Comparative Assessment of Exeter and Eindhoven

by Aniek Hebinck and Daphne Page

Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060931 - 2 Jun 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6986

Abstract

Urban food strategies are increasingly being used as means to address a multitude of challenges presented by food system failings. The use of participatory approaches has become common practice in the field of urban food systems planning. These approaches are believed to democratize, legitimize and increase effectiveness of addressing challenges. Despite these “promises”, they have also been viewed as problematic for being unbalanced and lacking accountability. This paper sets out to compare the creation and use of new participatory spaces in two initiatives in two European cities in their on-going attempts to formulate urban food strategies through multi-actor processes. This is explored through operationalisation of two key concepts essential to participatory approaches: participation and accountability. As such, the paper addresses how participatory processes for urban food strategies can be conceptualised when policy making involves the interplay of actors, knowledges and spaces. We conclude that within the two cases, ample attention is given to get a cross-section of the types of participants involved, while accountability is an aspect still under-represented. Based on the two cases, we argue that incorporation of accountability in particular will be instrumental in the development and implementation of more mature urban food strategies. However, it is essential for participatory processes to not completely break from more “traditional” policy processes, at risk of limiting progress in strategy development and deployment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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1298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alternative Approaches to Food: Community Supported Agriculture in Urban China

by Kees Krul and Peter Ho

Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050844 - 18 May 2017

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 9331

Abstract

One of the most remarkable features of China’s development path is its large-scale and fast-paced urbanization. As cities already accommodate more than half of China’s population, new challenges to urban food systems have emerged concurrently. Concerns over environmental degradation and food safety have provoked growing dissatisfaction with China’s food regime. Amidst these concerns, the aim of this paper is to study the role of new and alternative approaches to food, focusing in on the question of how community supported agriculture (CSA) can deal with the food-related issues emerging from China’s development. The paper adopts Granovetter’s notions of social embeddedness to describe CSA’s relational role in consumer-farmer dynamics, as well as the structural role within its broader relational context. Empirical data is drawn from surveys distributed among CSA farms, and interviews with key stakeholders in the Chinese CSA movement. The study finds that the model of CSA demonstrates an innovative approach to deal with food safety issues, address sustainability, and operate in an environment where future food demands are most critical. Although the movement’s structural embeddedness is bound by several limitations and contradictions, it is argued that the CSA model offers important insights and adds value into ameliorating China’s food systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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1180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Production and Consumption: City Regions between Localism, Agricultural Land Displacement, and Economic Competitiveness

by Federica Monaco, Ingo Zasada, Dirk Wascher, Matjaž Glavan, Marina Pintar, Ulrich Schmutz, Chiara Mazzocchi, Stefano Corsi and Guido Sali

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010096 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8968

Abstract

In the wider debate on urban resilience and metabolism, food-related aspects have gained increasing importance. At the same time, urban agro-food systems in city regions are facing major challenges with regard to often limited domestic supplies, resource-intensive producer–consumer relationships, and the competition for low-price products via global food chains. In this sense, novel methods for coupling local and global processes are required to better understand the underlying mechanisms between the above factors. Exploring the relationship between food supply and demand, this study presents a set of suitable fact-finding tools that are introduced and applied in a comparative study of five European city regions. The methodological framework, by introducing and combining economic-based indexes, aims at overcoming limits and gaps identified by means of a literature review. The model will explicitly address the main features of the regional agro-food systems by managing information on the capacities and opportunities of local agriculture to adequately respond to food demand, as well as by providing insights on the interconnections among localism, global competitiveness of agricultural sectors, and land use change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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35466 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Foodsheds and City Region Food Systems in Two West African Cities

by Hanna Karg, Pay Drechsel, Edmund K. Akoto-Danso, Rüdiger Glaser, George Nyarko and Andreas Buerkert

Sustainability 2016, 8(12), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121175 - 25 Nov 2016

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 14385

Abstract

In response to changing urban food systems, short supply chains have been advocated to meet urban food needs while building more sustainable urban food systems. Despite an increasing interest in urban food supply and the flows of food from production to consumption, there is a lack of empirical studies and methodologies which systematically analyse the actual proportion and nutritional significance of local and regional food supplied to urban markets. The aim of this empirical study therefore was to compare the geographical sources supplying food to the urban population (“foodsheds”) in Tamale, Ghana and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to record the supplied quantities and to assess the level of interaction between the sources and the respective city. The study was conducted over two years, covering the seasons of abundant and short supply, via traffic surveys on the access roads to the two cities, and in the Tamale markets, resulting altogether in more than 40,000 records of food flow. Results indicated that food sources were highly crop- and season-specific, ranging from one-dimensional to multi-dimensional foodsheds with diverse sources across seasons. Across the commodity-specific foodsheds, city region boundaries were established. Within the proposed city region a relatively large proportion of smallholders contributed to urban food supply, taking advantage of the proximity to urban markets. While food provided from within the city region offers certain place-based benefits, like the provision of fresh perishable crops, a larger geographical diversity of foodsheds appeared to enhance the resilience of urban food systems, such as against climate related production failures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potentials and Limitations of Regional Organic Food Supply: A Qualitative Analysis of Two Food Chain Types in the Berlin Metropolitan Region

by Alexandra Doernberg, Ingo Zasada, Katarzyna Bruszewska, Björn Skoczowski and Annette Piorr

Sustainability 2016, 8(11), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111125 - 2 Nov 2016

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 11386

Abstract

Regional food systems and organic agriculture are both considered more sustainable than the conventional, globalized food system they provide an alternative to. The emergence and expansion of alternative forms of food supply are influenced by various factors on different scales. Using the food systems approach we aim to study potentials and limitations of regional organic food supply in the Berlin metropolitan region (BMR). Based on the literature, we developed an analytical framework and identified determinants of regional organic food provision along the three major levels of the supply chain: agricultural production, food chain organization, and consumption. Then, we examined a qualitative case study with two different types of alternative food networks (A) organic community supported agriculture (CSA) and (B) organic retail trade. Factors that hinder or promote the provision of regional organic food were identified through qualitative interviews and assessed by regional stakeholders in a workshop. Our findings show that demand for regional organic food is higher than regional supply, which could offer good possibilities for organic farmers. However, actors in these two food chains need to overcome some obstacles, including limited access to land, increasing renting prices, insufficient processing capacities, and unsupportive political environment for organic farming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Gardeners’ Motivations in a Metropolitan City: The Case of Milan

by Giordano Ruggeri, Chiara Mazzocchi and Stefano Corsi

Sustainability 2016, 8(11), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111099 - 27 Oct 2016

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 9472

Abstract

Urban gardening (UG) as a component of urban agriculture (UA) has reached popularity during the last decades. This growing interest depends on several factors including the different functions that have been attributed to UG over the years, operating from the economic to the social, health and cultural levels. While multifunctionality of UG is well documented, only a few studies investigated individual gardeners’ motivations, which can be subjective and heavily affected by the local context in which it takes place. The paper aims to detect some peculiar features of Milan city gardeners, in order to highlight the motivations of their activity through an innovative and replicable approach based on multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The analysis has been applied to the Milan case study, in the North of Italy; the results suggest a great importance of the social component of UG, and trace some different gardeners’ profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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