Sustainable food planning: evolving theory and practice

Half the world's population is now urbanised and cities are assuming a larger role in debates about the security and sustainability of the global food system. Hence, planning for sustainable food production and consumption is becoming an increasingly important issue for planners, policymakers, designers, farmers, suppliers, activists, business and scientists alike. The rapid growth of the food planning movement owes much to the unique multi-functional character of food systems. In the wider contexts of global climate change, resource depletion, a burgeoning world population, competing food production systems and diet-related public health concerns, new paradigms for urban and regional planning capable of supporting sustainable and equitable food systems are urgently needed. This book addresses this urgent need. By working at a range of scales and with a variety of practical and theoretical models, this book reviews and elaborates definitions of sustainable food systems, and begins to define ways of achieving them. Four different themes have been defined as entry-points into the discussion of 'sustainable food planning'. These are (1) urban food governance, (2) integrating health, environment and society, (3) urban agriculture (4) planning and design. 'This is an important compilation on a timely topic. It brings together the work of planners and designers from both sides of the Atlantic, and challenges us to think about how to create food systems that deliver healthy, just, and sustainable communities and vital places. The book moves dexterously between the grassroots and policy halls and draws valuable lessons for theory and practice.' Dr. Kami Pothukuchi, Department of Urban Studies & Planning, Wayne State University 'To address the problems of urban food production we need to look at the city in a completely different way. This timely book will act as an important source for those who have an ethical interest, not only in food, but in improving the quality and justice of life in our city communities.' Prof. Flora Samuel, School of Architecture, University of Sheffield and member of Royal Institute of British Architects Research and Development Committee 'This publication provides a lot of "food for thought", not just for persons professionally involved in the food sector and officials dealing with national food policies, but especially for local and regional authorities, urban planners and architects, NGOs and community based organisations, health and environmental officers and concerned consumers. Against the background of the growing awareness of the elevated social, health and ecological costs of the mainstream globalized agri-food system, this book analyses the emergence of a new vision and many initiatives that seek to reconnect (sustainable) production with (sustainable) consumption .... Hence, the book delivers what is promised in its title: it discusses new concepts related to food and sustainable urban/regional planning based on a critical review of innovative practices at various levels.' Ir. Henk de Zeeuw, Director RUAF Foundation 'For those who work to address the future challenges facing city development, this book is a must. Why? Because today practitioners and professionals are being asked to understand urban food production within a social, economic and ecological context. This book shows us how these connections are being made. The chapters are accessible and fascinating and will help beginners and experts to deal with food production in their everyday work.' Dr. Carlo W. Becker, bgmr Landscape Architects Berlin/Leipzig and Technical University Cottbus