Search Results (196)

This study explores the spatial and social implications of urban food systems in Quito, Ecuador, focusing on how food access inequalities reflect and reinforce broader urban disparities. The research addresses a critical problem in contemporary urbanization: the disconnection between food provisioning and spatial equity in rapidly growing cities. The objective is to assess and map disparities in food accessibility using a mixed-methods approach that includes field observation, participatory mapping, value chain analysis, and statistical modeling. Five traditional and emerging food markets were studied in diverse districts across the city. A synthetic accessibility function F(x) was constructed to model food access levels, integrating variables such as income, infrastructure, transport availability, and travel time. These variables were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering to generate three typologies of territorial vulnerability. The results reveal that peripheral areas exhibit lower F(x) values and weaker integration with the formal food system, leading to higher consumer costs and limited fresh food options. In contrast, central districts benefit from multimodal infrastructure and greater diversity of supply. This study concludes that food systems should be treated as critical urban infrastructure. Integrating food equity into land use and mobility planning is essential to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban development. Full article

This study introduces Edible Streets as a distinct and scalable model of community-led urban food growing, specifically investigating the drivers and barriers to the initiative. Unlike traditional urban food-growing initiatives, Edible Streets explores the integration of edible plants into street verges and footpaths with direct community involvement of the people who live/work in a street. This study contributes new knowledge by evaluating Edible Streets through the COM-B model of behavioural change, through policy and governance in addition to behaviour change, and by developing practical frameworks to facilitate its implementation. Focusing on Oxford, the research engaged residents through 17 in-person interviews and 18 online surveys, alongside a stakeholder workshop with 21 policymakers, community leaders, and NGO representatives. Findings revealed strong motivation for Edible Streets, driven by values of sustainability, community resilience, and improved well-being. However, capability barriers, including knowledge gaps in gardening, land-use policies, and food preservation, as well as opportunity constraints related to land access, water availability, and environmental challenges, hindered participation. To address these, a How-to Guide was developed, and a pilot Edible Street project was launched. Future steps include establishing a licensing application model to facilitate urban food growing and conducting a Post-Use Evaluation and Impact Study. Nationally, this model could support Right to Grow policies, while globally, it aligns with climate resilience and food security goals. Locally grown food enhances biodiversity, reduces carbon footprints, and strengthens social cohesion. By tackling key barriers and scaling solutions, this study provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners to create resilient, equitable urban food systems. Full article

Amid global efforts to balance sustainable development and food security, ecosystem service value (ESV), a critical bridge between natural systems and human well-being, has gained increasing importance. This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of land use changes and ESV from a food security perspective, aiming to inform synergies between ecological protection and food production for regional sustainability. Using Guangdong Province as a case study, we analyze ESV patterns and spatial correlations from 2005 to 2023 based on three-phase land use and socioeconomic datasets. Key findings: I. Forestland and cropland dominate Guangdong’s land use, which is marked by the expansion of construction land and the shrinking of agricultural and forest areas. II. Overall ESV declined slightly: northern ecological zones remained stable, while eastern/western regions saw mild decreases, with cropland loss threatening grain self-sufficiency. III. Irrigation scale, forestry output, and fertilizer use exhibited strong interactive effects on ESV, whereas urban hierarchy influenced ESV independently. IV. ESV showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation, with stable agglomeration patterns across the province. The research provides policy insights for optimizing cropland protection and enhancing coordination between food production spaces and ecosystem services, while offering theoretical support for land use regulation and agricultural resilience in addressing regional food security challenges. Full article

Land use and land cover (LULC) in Northern Bangladesh have undergone substantial transformations due to both anthropogenic and natural drivers. This study examines historical LULC changes (1990–2022) and projects future trends for 2030 and 2054 using remote sensing and the Cellular Automata-Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) model. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery was classified with 80.75–86.23% accuracy (Kappa: 0.75–0.81). Model validation comparing simulated and actual 2014 data yielded 79.98% accuracy, indicating a reasonably good performance given the region’s rapidly evolving and heterogeneous landscape. The results reveal a significant decline in waterbodies, which is projected to shrink by 34.4% by 2054, alongside a 1.21% reduction in cropland raising serious environmental and food security concerns. Vegetation, after an initial massive decrease (1990–2014), increased (2014–2022) due to different forms of agroforestry practices and is expected to increase by 4.64% by 2054. While the model demonstrated fair predictive power, its moderate accuracy highlights challenges in forecasting LULC in areas characterized by informal urbanization, seasonal land shifts, and riverbank erosion. These dynamics limit prediction reliability and reflect the region’s ecological vulnerability. The findings call for urgent policy action particularly afforestation, water resource management, and integrated land use planning to ensure environmental sustainability and resilience in this climate-sensitive area. Full article

Cropland abandonment (CA) has become a significant threat to agricultural sustainability, particularly in metropolitan suburbs where urban expansion and cropland preservation often conflict. This study examines the Chengdu Directly Administered Zone of the Tianfu New Area in Sichuan Province, China, as a case study, utilizing high-precision vector data from China’s 2019–2023 National Land Survey to identify abandoned croplands through land use change trajectory analysis. By integrating kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and geographically weighted regression modeling, we quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of CA and the spatial heterogeneity of driving factors in the study area. The results demonstrate an average annual abandonment rate of approximately 8%, exhibiting minor fluctuations but significant spatial clustering characteristics, with abandonment hotspots concentrated in peri-urban areas that gradually expanded toward urban cores over time, while exurban regions showed lower abandonment rates. Cropland quality and the aggregation index were identified as key restraining factors, whereas increasing slope and land development intensity were found to elevate abandonment risks. Notably, distance to roads displayed a negative effect, contrary to conventional understanding, revealing that policy feedback mechanisms induced by anticipated land expropriation along transportation corridors serve as important drivers of suburban abandonment. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing resilient urban–rural land allocation, curbing speculative abandonment, and exploring integrated “agriculture + ecology + cultural tourism” utilization models for abandoned lands. The findings offer valuable insights for balancing food security and sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide, particularly providing empirical references for developing countries addressing the dilemma between urban expansion and cropland preservation. Full article

The increasing disparity in global food distribution has amplified the urgency of addressing food waste and food insecurity, both of which exacerbate economic, environmental, and social inequalities. Traditional food bank models often struggle with logistical inefficiencies, limited accessibility, and a lack of transparency in food distribution, hindering their effectiveness in mitigating these challenges. This study proposes a novel Food Bank Network Redesign (FBNR) that leverages the Quito Metro system to create a decentralized food bank network, enhancing efficiency and equity in food redistribution by introducing strategically positioned donation lockers at metro stations for convenient drop-offs, with donations transported using spare metro capacity to designated stations for collection by charities, reducing reliance on dedicated transportation. To ensure transparency and operational efficiency, we integrate a blockchain-based traceability system with smart contracts, enabling secure, real-time tracking of donations to enhance stakeholder trust, prevent food loss, and ensure regulatory compliance. We develop a multi-objective optimization framework that balances food waste reduction, transportation cost minimization, and social impact maximization, supported by a mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) model to optimize donation allocation based on urban demand patterns. By combining decentralized logistics, blockchain-enhanced traceability, and advanced optimization techniques, this study offers a scalable and adaptable framework for urban food redistribution, improving food security in Quito while providing a replicable blueprint for cities worldwide seeking to implement circular and climate-resilient food supply chains. Full article

Ethnobotanical knowledge and biodiversity are critical components of sustainable natural resource management, especially in regions undergoing rapid environmental and socio-economic change. In Northeast Thailand, traditional plant knowledge is deeply intertwined with local cultural identity but faces increasing threats from urbanization, agricultural expansion, and generational shifts. This study presents a floristic and ethnobotanical survey of the Khanthararat Public Benefit Forest, a community-managed remnant forest in Maha Sarakham Province, documenting 110 plant species from 42 families. The Fabaceae family was the most diverse, consistent with other tropical ecosystems. Predominantly native species (85.45%) indicate minimal disturbance, while introduced (11.82%) and endemic species (2.73%) reflect ecological complexity. Ethnobotanical data revealed 34 wild edible species, 33 medicinal plants, and 19 ornamental species used by the local community, highlighting the forest’s vital role in supporting livelihoods and cultural practices. High Use Values (UVs) for species such as Spondias pinnata and Coccinia grandis underline their dual importance in food and medicine. Informant Consensus Factor (Fic) values demonstrate strong agreement on plant use for reproductive and musculoskeletal health, reflecting well-established traditional knowledge. The findings underscore the forest’s dual significance as an ecological hotspot and a repository of cultural heritage, providing essential ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and cultural provisioning. By integrating traditional knowledge with biodiversity assessment, this study offers valuable insights for community-based conservation strategies that sustain both ecological integrity and cultural resilience in Northeast Thailand. Full article

The match relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services (ESs) is a cornerstone of achieving sustainable development. However, the evolution patterns of urbanization/ecosystem service (UES) synergies under economic polarization in the rapid urbanization process remain poorly understood. This study integrates bivariate local Moran’s index and correlation analysis methods to examine the match relationship between urbanization and three key ESs (water yield, carbon sequestration, and food production) from 2000 to 2020 and explores the impact of intra-city disparities on the match relationship of urbanization and ESs. The findings revealed that urbanization and three ecosystem services showed increasing trends during 2000–2020 simultaneously. The spatial aggregation pattern of urbanization and ecosystem services showed smaller variations from 2000 to 2020. There was a High-High aggregation between urbanization and water yield in urban built-up areas and primarily High-Low aggregations between urbanization, carbon sequestration, and food production. Furthermore, the impact of urbanization on ESs decreased with increasing urban polarization. In particular, the Beijing–Tianjin–Tangshan region still demonstrated pronounced economic polarization, suggesting disparities in economic development within its urban core. This study highlights the importance of mitigating the adverse effects of urban polarization on ESs and fostering resilient and sustainable urban ecosystems in rapidly developing regions. Full article

Rapid urbanization, climate variability, and land degradation are increasingly challenging traditional open-field farming systems. Soilless farming (SLF) has emerged as a complementary approach to enhance horticultural resilience in space-constrained and climate-stressed environments. This review critically evaluates the role of SLF within the broader framework of climate-smart agriculture (C-SA), with a particular focus on its applications in urban and peri-urban settings. Drawing on a systematic review of the existing literature, the study explores how SLF technologies contribute to efficient resource use, localized food production, and environmental sustainability. By decoupling crop cultivation from soil, SLF enables precise control over nutrient delivery and water use in enclosed environments, such as vertical farms, greenhouses, and container-based units. These systems offer notable advantages regarding water conservation, increased yield per unit area, and adaptability to non-arable or degraded land, making them particularly relevant for high-density cities, arid zones, and climate-sensitive regions. SLF systems are categorized into substrate-based (e.g., coco peat and rock wool) and water-based systems (e.g., hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics), each with distinct design requirements, nutrient management strategies, and crop compatibility. Emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and automation—further enhance SLF system efficiency through real-time data monitoring and precision control. Despite these advancements, challenges remain. High setup costs, energy demands, and the need for technical expertise continue to limit large-scale adoption. While SLF is not a replacement for traditional agriculture, it offers a strategic supplement to bolster localized food systems and address climate-related risks in horticultural production. Urban horticulture is no longer a peripheral activity; it is becoming an integral element of sustainable urban development. SLF should be embedded within broader resilience strategies, tailored to specific socioeconomic and environmental contexts. Full article

To address the challenges linked to climate change, rapidly increasing urbanization, and food security necessity, this study explores the potential of smart, low-cost innovative cultivation systems for modules on facades as nature-based solutions (NBSs) to improve building energy efficiency, urban food production, and sustainability. Innovative cultivation systems were studied and implemented in the horizontal experimental setup, with a focus on sub-irrigation techniques with terracotta pots, ozonated water, and IoT use. The best eco-smart irrigation system was selected considering both plant growth and the water savings obtained (up to 57.14%) in comparison to the traditional method. With the implementation of this system, a vertical green module (VGM) was designed, allowing for efficient distribution and water savings. The positive effects in terms of temperature reduction and energy behavior were validated by comparing two office rooms: one without VGM and the other with VGM in a Mediterranean city. The drop in internal temperatures achieved was up to 3–4 °C during the hot days of the experimental campaign. The uptake of this low-cost and smart prototype can be useful to support the enhancement of energy-efficient, eco-sustainable, and self-sufficient buildings and urban spaces, contributing to creating more climate-resilient cities and promoting sustainable urban agriculture. Full article

Sustainable land-use planning in peri-urban areas relies on informed decision-making guided by the examination of various development strategies. This study demonstrates a policy-based multi-scenario simulation which can serve as an aid to decision-making. Using the transformation of production–living–ecological (PLE) spaces in the Yubei District, a peri-urban district in Chongqing (2005 to 2020), as the baseline, the projections, simulated for 2035 under four scenarios, highlight the impacts of varying land-use policies: the reference scenario (RS), allowing unrestricted transformations, risks agricultural productivity and ecological integrity; the economic development scenario (S1) reveals the ecological costs associated with an economics-driven urban expansion; in contrast, the green development (S2) and agricultural land protection (S3) scenarios prioritize balanced growth and agricultural-land preservation so that ecological resilience and food security can be effectively maintained. Overall, significant land-use changes may occur, characterized by a substantial increase in living space, a decrease in production space, and stable ecological areas. This scenario-based analysis provides a comprehensive overview as to potential policy-driven planning outcomes. This aids in the identification of policy options that would best harmonize ecological, economic, and social objectives, offering essential insights for sustainable urbanization and land management in developing areas such as the Yubei District. Full article

Amid rapid urbanization and persistent food insecurity in Latin America, urban gardens have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional agriculture. This study evaluates the technical and economic efficiency of producing four vegetables (lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and tomato) in urban and conventional systems in Puebla, Mexico. Using a stochastic frontier model, the analysis integrates key environmental costs, specifically, water-use efficiency and nutrient balance valuation, to assess the sustainability trade-offs. The results show that urban gardens achieve comparable efficiency to conventional systems while reducing water use by up to 66% and optimizing nutrient cycling. These findings support urban agroecological models as viable strategies for local food production and provide actionable insights for municipal policies aimed at enhancing urban food resilience and environmental performance. Full article

There is growing worldwide concern about eating healthily and consuming local food. Consequently, urban agriculture has become a topical issue, especially in light of increasing demographics. The present article investigates and assesses how urban agriculture can be implemented to ensure greater food security and achieve sustainable development goals. The methodology consisted in distributing a worldwide survey, along with interviews with project managers of two urban agricultural practices in the cities of Valladolid and Segovia (Spain). The survey gathered 250 responses from nearly all continents, ensuring a diverse and global perspective and that most respondents were familiar with the concept of urban agriculture (80%) rather than food security (57.4%). The survey also revealed that 88.1% of respondents expressed their willingness to be engage in such projects. The interviews brought out a number of common points, such as ensuring that residents are properly aware about the value of integrating the food sector into cities and the benefits it provides, such as organizing activities and workshops, etc. However, promoting small organizations and start-ups linked to local production and consumption and integrating urban planning experts is crucial to ensure more resilient and sustainable cities. This research uniquely integrates quantitative survey data with in-depth qualitative case studies, linking global perceptions of urban agriculture and food security with local realities. Full article

The global food production sector is under immense pressure due to rapid population growth and climate change, demanding innovative solutions for food security and sustainability. This review explores innovative advancements in agriculture and food technology, from urban farming (e.g., vertical farming, aquaponics, and hydroponics) to regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity. We also examine food production in extreme environments, including desert agriculture and space agriculture, as well as advances in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology, that enable improved crop yields and nutrition. The transformative role of AI in precision farming, predictive analytics, and water management is highlighted, as well as the importance of bioproducts and eco-friendly innovations. Finally, we discuss the vital role of policy, regulation, and community-driven approaches in shaping a resilient global food system. Through the integration of technology with sustainable practices, this review aims to inspire research into solutions that ensure future food security while preserving our planet. Full article

Urban agriculture is considered by many scientists and policymakers as a key strategy to build climate change-resilient communities within cities by strengthening food systems, with positive food security, biodiversity, nutrition and health outcomes. The estimated potential of urban agriculture to provide between 15 and 20% of the global food supply can be enhanced by applying agroecological principles and practices that revitalize urban agriculture cropping systems, thus leading to the design of highly diversified, productive and resilient urban farms on a planet in polycrisis. Two pillars are used in agroecology: (a) restoring spatial and temporal crop combinations that deter pests by enhancing biological control with natural enemies, and (b) increasing soil organic matter through green manures, compost and other organic practices that enhance soil fertility and beneficial microorganisms. In addition to technical and environmental obstacles, there are a series of social, economic and political barriers that limit the scaling-up of urban agriculture. For this reason, it is important to launch policies that establish mechanisms for cities to provide incentives for urban agriculture, including access to land, water, seeds and technical knowledge. The creation of producer–consumer networks around markets with solidarity is critical for local equitable food provision and consumption. Full article