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Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture

Author

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  • Jorinda Steenkamp

    (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa)

  • Elizelle Juanee Cilliers

    (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
    Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia)

  • Sarel Stephanus Cilliers

    (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa)

  • Louis Lategan

    (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa)

Abstract

Food and nutrition security has been neglected in the planning field for reasons of a lack of connection between food and planning and the perception that agricultural activities have no place in the modernizing world. However, considering increasing climate change impacts and implications on industrialized agriculture, there is a clear need to establish shorter, more sustainable agricultural production practices and food supply chains. Urban agriculture is proposed as a potential method of intervention for planners to support sustainable food production and supply chains. The paper utilized a multiple-case study design to analyze four best practice examples of urban agriculture in the Global South to uncover its potential to address food security associated risks and contribute to sustainable development objectives. The results delivered evidence of the potential to harness the multifunctionality of urban agriculture to not only improve the food security of the most at-risk populations, but to also address other urban risks such as unemployment, community decline and food deserts. The recommendations for this paper relate to establishing a food security department, mapping and encouraging more sustainable food supply chains, creating land uses and zonings specific to urban agriculture and to utilize its multifunctionality to address other urban risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorinda Steenkamp & Elizelle Juanee Cilliers & Sarel Stephanus Cilliers & Louis Lategan, 2021. "Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1267-:d:487001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Luiza Vigne Bennedetti & Paulo Antônio de Almeida Sinisgalli & Maurício Lamano Ferreira & Fabiano Lemes de Oliveira, 2023. "Challenges to Promote Sustainability in Urban Agriculture Models: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
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    5. Gizaw Ebissa & Kumelachew Yeshitela & Hayal Desta & Aramde Fetene, 2024. "Urban agriculture and environmental sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 14583-14599, June.
    6. Sina Razzaghi Asl & Hamil Pearsall, 2022. "How Do Different Modes of Governance Support Ecosystem Services/Disservices in Small-Scale Urban Green Infrastructure? A Systematic Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, August.
    7. Efadul Huq, 2024. "GREEN INFORMALITIES AS SOCIALLY JUST ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Enduring with Dignity at the Edges of Resilient Development in Dhaka," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 560-583, July.
    8. Ehsan Daneshyar, 2024. "Residential Rooftop Urban Agriculture: Architectural Design Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-34, February.
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    10. Wojciech Sroka & Karol Król & Jakub Kulesza & Marcin Stanuch & Sławomir Lisek, 2025. "Community Readiness for Agro Living Lab (ALL) Projects: Factors Influencing Engagement of Young Urban Residents," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-33, January.

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