Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Urbain de fond'

Les Composés organiques volatils (COV) dont les hydrocarbures non méthaniques (HCNM) ont un rôle clé dans la chimie atmosphérique en tant que précurseurs de polluants secondaires tels que l’ozone (O3) et les aérosols organiques secondaires (AOS). Pourtant, les connaissances sur les émissions des HCNM restent insuffisantes provoquant de fortes incertitudes associées aux inventaires d’émissions et par conséquent sur les modèles de chimie-transport (CTM), essentiels pour la mise en place de politique de qualité de l’air efficace. Ce manque d’information est d’autant plus critique sur le bassin Méditerranéen, région particulièrement marquée par la pollution atmosphérique et le changement climatique. Dans le but d’apporter des connaissances nouvelles sur les sources et déterminants des COV sur cette région, une campagne d’observation de 18 mois a été menée de mars 2019 à août 2020 à Marseille. Elle a permis l’obtention d’une base de données unique de 70 composés hydrocarbonés pour l’étude de l’évolution de la composition en HCNM de l’atmosphère de Marseille. L’analyse des observations à l’aide du modèle source-récepteur PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization) a permis de déterminer huit sources majeures pour les composés mesurés. Le trafic routier est le premier émetteur de ces composés à Marseille pour toutes les saisons contribuant à 40 % des concentrations alors que le chauffage domestique contribue à 20 % en hiver. Une baisse marquée des émissions en HCNM dues au trafic routier a été constatée au printemps 2020 associée au confinement pour la crise sanitaire du COVID-19. Une source industrielle a été identifiée comme fortement émettrice de xylènes, espèces à fort impact potentiel sur la formation d’AOS. Enfin, les inventaires d’émissions à différentes échelles ont été comparés entre eux et avec l’évaluation issue des observations pour la zone d’étude. Il apparaît une forte variabilité sur les émissions en COV totaux mais une très bonne concordance pour les émissions en COV du trafic routier. Cette comparaison a montré que la spéciation chimique des sources d’émissions en COV est significativement plus élevée pour les inventaires dans le cas des HCNM issues de combustion (alcènes et aromatiques) ce qui est possiblement dû à une surestimation du chauffage résidentiel suivant les saisons. En outre, l’étude a montré une différence de composition chimique pour le trafic routier entre l’inventaire d’émission local et les observations
Volatil Organic Compounds (VOC) are key species because of their role as precursors of secondary pollutants such as ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). However, the knowledge on VOC emissions remains insufficient, leading to high uncertainties on emission inventories and consequently on chemistry-transport models (CTM) which are crucial for the successful implementation of efficient air quality policies. This lack of information is all the more critical in the Mediterranean basin since this region is particularly affected by air pollution and climate change. In order to provide new knowledge on the sources and factors controlling VOC in this region, an 18-months field campaign took place from March 2019 to August 2020 in Marseille. It allowed to obtain a unique database of 70 non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) compounds for the study of the evolution of the VOC composition of the atmosphere of Marseille. The analysis of observations using the source-receptor model PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization), allowed to determine eight major NMHC emission sources for the measured compounds. Road traffic is the main emitter of these compounds in Marseille in all the seasons contributing to 40% of concentrations whereas residential heating contributes to 20% in winter. A sharp decrease of the NMHC emissions due to road traffic has been observed in Spring 2020 associated to the lockdown due to the sanitary crisis of Covid-19. An industrial source has been identified as high emitter of xylenes, species with a high potential on SOA formation. Global, regional and local emission inventories were compared to each other with the observations in the Marseille area. A high variability on the total VOC emissions but a very good agreement on the VOC emissions from road traffic. This comparison showed the chemical speciation of VOC emission sources is significantly higher for the inventories in the case of HCNM emitted by combustion (alkenes and aromatics) possibly due to an overestimation of residential heating. In addition, the study showed a difference in chemical composition for road traffic between the local emission inventory and observations

Suite à un état de l'art détaillant la création et l'utilisation de l'espace sonore dans divers environnements urbains virtuels (soundmaps, jeux vidéo, réalité augmentée), il s'agira de déterminer une méthodologie et des techniques de conception pour les espaces sonores urbains virtuels du point de vue de l'immersion, de l'interface et de la dramaturgie.ces développements se feront dans le cadre du projet terra dynamica, tendant vers une utilisation plurielle de la ville virtuelle (sécurité et sureté, transports de surface, aménagement de l'urbanisme, services de proximité et citoyens, jeux). le principal objectif du doctorat sera de déterminer des réponses informatiques concrètes à la problématique suivante : comment, en fonction de leur utilisation anticipée, les espaces sonores urbains virtuels doivent-ils être structurés et avec quels contenus?la formalisation informatique des solutions étayées au fil du doctorat et la création du contenu sonore illustrant le projet seront basés sur l'analyse de données scientifiques provenant de domaines variés tels que la psychologie de la perception, l'architecture et l'urbanisme, l'acoustique, la recherche esthétique (musicale) ainsi que sur l'observation et le recueil de données audio-visuelles du territoire urbain, de manière à rendre compte tant de la richesse du concept d'espace sonore que de la multiplicité de ses déclinaisons dans le cadre de la ville virtuelle
In video gaming and interactive media, the making of complex sound ambiences relies heavily on the allowed memory and computational resources. So a compromise solution is necessary regarding the choice of audio material and its treatment in order to reach immersive and credible real-time ambiences. Alternatively, the use of procedural audio techniques, i.e. the generation of audio content relatively to the data provided by the virtual scene, has increased in recent years. Procedural methodologies seem appropriate to sonify complex environments such as virtual cities.In this thesis we specifically focus on the creation of interactive urban sound ambiences. Our analysis of these ambiences is based on the Soundscape theory and on a state of art on game oriented urban interactive applications. We infer that the virtual urban soundscape is made of several perceptive auditory grounds including a background. As a first contribution we define the morphological and narrative properties of such a background. We then consider the urban background sound as a texture and propose, as a second contribution, to pinpoint, specify and prototype a granular synthesis tool dedicated to interactive urban sound backgrounds.The synthesizer prototype is created using the visual programming language Pure Data. On the basis of our state of the art, we include an urban ambiences recording methodology to feed the granular synthesis. Finally, two validation steps regarding the prototype are described: the integration to the virtual city simulation Terra Dynamica on the one side and a perceptive listening comparison test on the other

Suite à un état de l'art détaillant la création et l'utilisation de l'espace sonore dans divers environnements urbains virtuels (soundmaps, jeux vidéo, réalité augmentée), il s'agira de déterminer une méthodologie et des techniques de conception pour les espaces sonores urbains virtuels du point de vue de l'immersion, de l'interface et de la dramaturgie.ces développements se feront dans le cadre du projet terra dynamica, tendant vers une utilisation plurielle de la ville virtuelle (sécurité et sureté, transports de surface, aménagement de l'urbanisme, services de proximité et citoyens, jeux). le principal objectif du doctorat sera de déterminer des réponses informatiques concrètes à la problématique suivante : comment, en fonction de leur utilisation anticipée, les espaces sonores urbains virtuels doivent-ils être structurés et avec quels contenus?la formalisation informatique des solutions étayées au fil du doctorat et la création du contenu sonore illustrant le projet seront basés sur l'analyse de données scientifiques provenant de domaines variés tels que la psychologie de la perception, l'architecture et l'urbanisme, l'acoustique, la recherche esthétique (musicale) ainsi que sur l'observation et le recueil de données audio-visuelles du territoire urbain, de manière à rendre compte tant de la richesse du concept d'espace sonore que de la multiplicité de ses déclinaisons dans le cadre de la ville virtuelle
In video gaming and interactive media, the making of complex sound ambiences relies heavily on the allowed memory and computational resources. So a compromise solution is necessary regarding the choice of audio material and its treatment in order to reach immersive and credible real-time ambiences. Alternatively, the use of procedural audio techniques, i.e. the generation of audio content relatively to the data provided by the virtual scene, has increased in recent years. Procedural methodologies seem appropriate to sonify complex environments such as virtual cities.In this thesis we specifically focus on the creation of interactive urban sound ambiences. Our analysis of these ambiences is based on the Soundscape theory and on a state of art on game oriented urban interactive applications. We infer that the virtual urban soundscape is made of several perceptive auditory grounds including a background. As a first contribution we define the morphological and narrative properties of such a background. We then consider the urban background sound as a texture and propose, as a second contribution, to pinpoint, specify and prototype a granular synthesis tool dedicated to interactive urban sound backgrounds.The synthesizer prototype is created using the visual programming language Pure Data. On the basis of our state of the art, we include an urban ambiences recording methodology to feed the granular synthesis. Finally, two validation steps regarding the prototype are described: the integration to the virtual city simulation Terra Dynamica on the one side and a perceptive listening comparison test on the other

A presente pesquisa surge a partir da reflexão sobre o sistema atual de produção de alimentos e abastecimento das cidades e as consequências geradas no ambiente e na saúde da população. Há um movimento para o retorno da produção de alimentos nas cidades, onde a maioria da população mundial habita, tanto com a finalidade de reduzir os impactos ambientais da agricultura industrial, quanto para proporcionar o acesso equitativo a alimentos mais saudáveis e com preços mais acessíveis. O desenvolvimento sustentável busca sistemas resilientes de produção visando à existência de cidades mais seguras e autossuficientes. Uma cidade autossuficiente é aquela que consegue gerar infraestrutura básica para se manter dentro de sua pegada física e metabolizar os resíduos gerados, minimizando os efeitos negativos dos assentamentos urbanos no ambiente. Dentre a busca por alternativas que contribuíssem para o planejamento de cidades mais sustentáveis, foi identificado o conceito da agricultura urbana (AU); em particular, das hortas domésticas. As hortas domésticas, consideradas um dos sistemas de cultivo mais antigos do mundo, parecem ser a mais bem-sucedida estratégia de AU para aumentar a segurança alimentar das famílias, além de proporcionar diversos outros benefícios. Desse modo, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é contribuir para um maior entendimento sobre como as hortas domésticas podem se constituir em uma estratégia para aumentar a segurança alimentar nas cidades, particularmente em áreas urbanas de pequenas municipalidades objetivando uma maior sustentabilidade urbana. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho, foram utilizadas duas estratégias de pesquisa principais: pesquisa bibliográfica e estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três etapas: compreensão, desenvolvimento e reflexão Na etapa de compreensão, realizou-se a revisão bibliográfica para entendimento do tema e para obtenção de subsídios para as etapas seguintes. Na etapa de desenvolvimento, foi realizado um estudo exploratório, no objeto de estudo, o Município de Feliz (RS), cujo objetivo foi avaliar o potencial das hortas domésticas, em termos de produção de alimentos, bem como de outros benefícios proporcionados aos moradores urbanos. Em uma segunda etapa, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para avaliar o potencial da área de estudo, em termos de produção de alimentos para suprir as necessidades alimentares da população local, visando a autossuficiência alimentar. Na etapa de reflexão, apresentam-se os resultados da pesquisa e as contribuições teóricas. A presente pesquisa é inovadora, e corroborou a teoria acerca do potencial de produção de alimentos das hortas domésticas, em termos de segurança alimentar e autossuficiência das pequenas municipalidades, a partir do estudo realizado em Feliz/RS. Além disso, os casos de hortas domésticas analisados no estudo exploratório, revelaram que já existem inúmeras iniciativas de autossuficiência alimentar com diversa produção de alimentos na área de estudo, bem como disponibilidade de áreas potenciais de agricultura urbana, para ampliar essa atividade.
The following research proposal emerges from the reflection of our current food production system and cities supply and their consequences to the environment and to city people’s health. Presently, there is a movement towards food production comeback in cities, where the majority of the present world population lives. Such movement has the goal of reducing the environmental impacts caused by intensive farming, as well as providing fair access to healthier food, at more affordable prices. Sustainable development aims at resilient systems of production, as well as on safer and more self-reliant cities. A self-reliant city provides basic infrastructure, keeping it into its ecological footprint. During the search for alternatives for more sustainable cities planning, the concept of urban agriculture (UA) was identified, more specifically backyard food production. Home food gardens, considered to be one of the oldest ways of producing food, seem to be UA’s most successful strategy to increase family food security, besides providing a number of added benefits. This way, the main goal of this research is contributing to a better understanding on how residential food gardens can constitute a strategy to increase food security in cities, particularly in urban areas and small towns aiming a higher degree of sustainability. For the development of this study, two specific research strategies were used: literature review and case study. The research was carried out in three steps: comprehension, development and reflection. In the comprehension step, a literature review was made in order to better understand the subject and to look for subsidies for the following steps. In the development step, an exploratory study on the object of study was made. The object of study was the municipality of Feliz (RS), where the goal was to evaluate in what extent residential food gardens could supply a family’s necessities of food and what other benefits it could provide to urban inhabitants, and, on a second stage, a methodology was developed to assess the potential of the area of study with regard to food self-reliance. In the reflection step, the results of the research and theoretical contributions were presented. In addition, a sample of home food gardens were identified and analyzed, and showed that there are already various good initiatives aiming at food self-reliance in the area of study, being as well identified the availability of potential plots for expanding urban agriculture in the municipality’s area.

L'un des éléments qui caractérisent le processus de mondialisation de l'économie est le développement de la logistique du fret comme secteur stratégique pour déterminer les avantages concurrentiels des régions urbaines. Cette étude analyse le lien entre l'évolution du marché, la réorganisation de l'Etat et le développement des infrastructures logistiques urbaines. Le point d'entrée de cette analyse est l'étude des politiques qui ont produit et gouverné au fil du temps deux marchés alimentaires de gros européens : le MIN Rungis et les Marchés Généraux de Milan. Leur comparaison explique comment les changements structurels ont influencé leur évolution et pourquoi aujourd'hui deux marchés de gros qui étaient initialement très similaires d'un point de vue analytique différent, ont deux policy outcome très différents. En utilisant une approche théorique et méthodologique basée sur les contributions du néo-institutionnalisme historique et de l'économie politique urbaine, le rôle des groupes d'intérêts, des acteurs politiques, des règles politiques et du marché est éclairé. Ces facteurs sont liés entre eux pour expliquer la policy conversion observée pour le MIN Rungis et la policy drift dans le cas de Milan. Enfin, les processus politiques qui ont mené à ces résultats sont expliqués en termes de mécanismes causaux. L'analyse met en évidence le rôle central des règles de politique locale et du contexte politique dans la détermination de la capacité des groupes d'intérêt locaux à influencer les processus décisionnels, et l'effet de leur mobilisation sur le développement de ces infrastructures urbaines
One of the elements that characterize the process of economic globalization is the development of freight logistics as a strategic sector to determine the competitive advantages of urban regions. This study analyses the link between market changes, state reorganisation and the development of urban logistics infrastructures. The entry point for this analysis is the study of the policies that have produced and governed over time two European wholesale food markets: the MIN Rungis and the General Markets of Milan. Their comparison explains how structural changes have influenced their evolution and why today two wholesale markets, which were initially very similar from an analytical point of view, have nowadays two very different policy outcomes. Using a theoretical and methodological approach based on the contributions of historical neo-institutionalism and urban political economy, the role of interest groups, political actors, political rules and the market is clarified. These factors are interrelated to explain the policy conversion observed for MIN Rungis and the policy drift in the case of Milan. Finally, the policy processes that led to these results are explained in terms of causal mechanisms. The analysis highlights the central role of local policy rules and political context in determining the ability of local interest groups to influence decision-making processes, and the effect of their mobilization on the development of these urban infrastructures

In this thesis, a study was undertaken on the premise that the world population living in urban centers is expected to increase from 3.8 billion to 5.2 billion, from 2005 to 2025, representing 54% and 65% of total world population, respectively. The urban population (UP) growth will produce remarkable amounts of urban food waste (UFW) that will add more pressure on already overloaded municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems of cities. This problem is more serious in countries experiencing major economic growth such as China where UP is expected to increase from 44% to 66% of the total country population, from 1995 to 2025. Asia produces the largest amount of UFW, which is expected to increase from 251 million ton to 418 million ton (45% to 53% of total world UFW) from 1995 to 2025. On site treatment of UFW along with a limited movement of world population from rural to urban areas are suggested to reduce pressure on MS W management system for the upcoming decades.
In this thesis, a project was also undertaken to develop compost recipes for urban center such as downtown Montreal. Monthly (June to August) average residential FW production was found to 0.61 (+/-0.13) kg capita-1 day-1 and that of a restaurant was found to be 0.56 (+/-0.23) kg customer-1 day-1. From trial tests, the best compost recipes mixed 8.9 kg, 8.6 kg and 7.8 kg of UFW for every kg of wheat straw, hay and wood shaving, on a wet mass basis. However, quantity and characteristics of FW vary from one month to another; therefore, regular adjustment of compost recipe is recommended. When using wood shavings as bulking agent, it is strongly recommended to correct the acid pH.

Thesis (Master of Community Planning)--University of Cincinnati, 2009.
Advisor: Frank Russell. Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed Dec. 15, 2009). Includes abstract. Keywords: urban agriculture; food systems; food deserts. Includes bibliographical references.

Responding to the needs of a rapidly growing urban population, Stockholm is investing in multiple urban development projects, one of which being Slatkthusområdet, the so-called meatpacking district located in the southern area of the city. Atrium Ljungberg, the Swedish developer responsible for a big parcel of the land in the area, envisions making the slaughterhouse district into an attractive destination for business, society and people in search of cultural life. The developer aims to transform the location from an industrial site to a lively neighbourhood for the society, with a diversity of activities that will work together with a food market in one of the main buildings of the area. Their plan is to establish a food destination that will have a leading role in Slakthusområdet. In the long run, the food destination will become the hub and the unifying link between the various actors and residents of the area, but also a destination that will lift Stockholm as a reference city for gastronomic experiences. It is a crucial issue to look at the identity and experience of a place, especially when proposing the urban renewal for an area that has long been known to have a significant representation in a city. By utilizing placemaking tools and lessons from the feminist urban planning movement, I ask how can we - urban planners, designers, and architects - contribute to placemaking by encouraging certain behaviours, such as collective cooking? Furthermore, from a commercial point of view: how to brand a place? Is it possible to make a win-win, where the developer, the inhabitant, the city, all gain from a place establishing an identity through food? While using Slatkthusområdet as a case study, this thesis project aims to undergo a review of the actions happening in the area, and the actors involved, in order to propose a strategic plan for the urban renewal of the neighbourhood. This plan could be used by the authorities responsible for making decisions regarding urban planning in the city of Stockholm. The celebratory nature of food is universal In search of the universal element that could inspire the creation of public spaces in Slakthusormrådet and extend the domestic life from indoors to outdoors, food as a social tool was continuously appearing as a recommendation during my search. Every single culture and religion uses food as part of their celebrations. Sometimes food means survival, sometimes a status, and in many cases, it is a synonym for pleasure. Regardless of the reason, everyone needs to eat, and the process of cooking and preparing each meal is part of many domestic lives around the world. Slakthusområdet is the ideal scenario to experiment with this concept: their history is connected to food production, and the leading developer of the area has the intention to establish the site as a food destination in the city. Thus, I aim to use eating habits to bringing different groups to the public spaces attracted by one common interest: food

Despite having an overall high standard of living, from 2015-2016 only 60.8% of households with children in New Zealand reported being fully food secure (NZ Ministry of Health 2019). Even more frustrating is that supermarkets and restaurants in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand are constantly stocked with 150-200% of surplus food over what it would take to nutritionally feed their populations, with much of it going to waste. To explore this, I conducted a nine-week ethnographic case study of Kaibosh Food Rescue which is a non-profit food aid initiative operating in Wellington, New Zealand, that collects ‘food waste’ from supermarkets and redistributes it to charities that are offering social services. By following the food through its social life and interviewing an array of stakeholders from organizational staff to individual recipients, I found that rescued ‘food waste’ continues to embody multiple values even in its supposed afterlife once it is declared as ‘waste’ by supermarkets. In this thesis I argue that not only does this food waste still hold much nutritional value to help individual recipients feed themselves and their families, it also created social spaces and enriched social lives of the urban food insecure, helped empower parents through learning cooking skills, and facilitated action for recipients to join social services and programming, all of which enhanced well-being and were facilitated by the presence of food. Thus, Kaibosh is experimenting with food waste for food security by combining nutritional and social benefits of food- what Stock et al. (2015) consider a “food utopia”- and ultimately changing the way we think about food and ‘food waste’, demonstrating what a food utopia can actually do.

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An ever changing urban environment, limited economic opportunities and rising poverty, have brought into sharp relief the need for strategies that support the livelihoods of the poor. Urban areas are complex and dynamic systems. No town or city is immune from either external forces (globalisation) that dictate the need to adapt, or to internal pressures (the natural growth pattern of an urban population and rural-urban migration) that collectively can precipitate growth or decline. The formal sector cannot, in most instances, fulfil the need for secure, regular employment in the urban areas, which leads to increases in unemployment, gradual breakdown of basic services - visual evidence includes large squatter settlements in and around urban centres - and the not unlikely increase in food insecurity. There is no doubt that the future of urban centres is dependent on the effective absorption of the increasing number of urban dwellers into its environmental, economical and social structures, and public policy plays an important role in the success of this process. The important contribution of urban agriculture in bolstering food security of urban households raises critical planning issues. The spatial integration of our settlements is critical; it holds the potential to enhance economic efficiency and social development. Spatial strategies should be combined with economic and environmental programmes to form an integrated approach towards development. Urban agriculture could possibly catalyse broader developmental processes such as local economic development, whereby disadvantaged communities could potentially secure the benefits of employment and increase food security. The provision of opportunities for urban agriculture not only makes it possible to meet the food needs of the urban poor, but to also ensure sustainable human settlements.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die lig van 'n dinamiese stedelike omgewing, beperkte ekonomiese geleenthede en toenemende armoede, beklemtoon die nood aan strategieë wat die arm stedelike gemeenskap bevoordeel. Stedelike gebiede is ingewikkelde en dinamiese sisteme. Geen dorp of stad is vrygeskeld van eksterne invloede (globalisasie), óf van interne invloede (die natuurlike groeipatroon in 'n stedelike gebied en migrasie van platteland na stede) wat kollektief groei of verval van stede kan aanhits. Die formele sektor kan in die meeste gevalle nie aan die behoefte van vaste werksaanstelling in stedelike gebiede voldoen nie. Dit lei tot 'n toename in werkloosheid en die geleidelike afbreek in fundamentele basiese dienste - ooglopende bewys hiervan sluit die groot plakkerskampe in en om stedelike sentrums - en die nie onwaarskynlike toename in voedseltekorte. Daar is geen twyfel dat die toekoms van stedelike sentrums afhanklik is van die absorpsie van toenemende stedelinge in hul omgewings-, ekonomiese- en sosiale strukture, en openbare beleid speel 'n kardinale rol in die suksesvolle verloop van hierdie proses. Die belang van die bydrae van stedelike landbou tot die rugsteuning van versekering van voedselsekuriteit in stedelike huishoudings kompliseer beplanning geweldig. Die ruimtelike integtrasie van ons nedersettings is belangrik; dit het die potensiaal om ekonomiese vaardigheid en sosiale ontwikkeling te verbeter. Strategieë om ruimte te optimaliseer behoort gekombineer te word met ekonomiese- en omgewingsprogramme, om sodoende geïntigreerde benaderings tot ontwikkeling te vorm. Stedelike landbou kan moontlik n katalisator vir verreikende ontwikkelingsprosesse soos plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling wees, waar minder-bevoorregte gemeenskappe werksversekering en -geleenthede het en daar ook voedsel-sekuriteit is. Die voorsiening van geleenthede vir stedelike landbou maak dit nie net moontlik om die behoefte aan voedsel van minder-bevoorregte stedelinge te bevredig nie, maar verseker ook langdurige, volhoubare stedelike nedersettings.

The distance between farms and cities and the limited access that some residents have to fresh foods can be detrimental to a city's capacity to feed people over time. This study addressed the under-studied topic of urban farming as a secondary food source, specifically by exploring the opportunities and limitations of urban farming in a large Northeastern city. Brundtland's food policy was the pivotal theory supporting food production to end global starvation, and was the link between environmental conservation and human survival. The research question for this study examined the potential food policy opportunities and limitations that assist urban farms as a supplemental food source. Twenty stakeholders from the public (6), nonprofit (7), private (3), and academic (4) sectors formed the purposeful snowball sample in this case study. Data were collected through open-ended interviews, which were then subjected to an iterative and inductive coding strategy. The significant finding of this study is that while food policy supported urban farms as a secondary food source in a way consistent with Brundtland's theory, local food alone was inadequate to feed its urban population. Other key findings revealed that food policies that influenced land use, food production, and procurement presented unique challenges in each sector. Existing food production policies such as zoning regulations, permitting processes, and public funding benefited one sector over another. The study contributes to social change by exploring food policies that encourage partnerships between sector stakeholders; urban, rural, and suburban farmers; and city residents that foster alternative and sustainable food production in the urban setting.

Thesis (Master of Architecture)--University of Cincinnati, 2008.
Advisors: Jay Chatterjee (Committee Chair), Elizabeth Riorden (Committee Co-Chair). Title from electronic theses title page (viewed Sept. 5, 2008.). Includes abstract. Keywords: grocery; food deserts. Includes bibliographical references.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Food security is the ability to secure an adequate daily supply of food that is affordable, hygienic and nutritious and it has become a chronic development problem in most urban areas of the global South. This thesis contributes to the urban food security debate by exploring the connection between drought and food security in urban Swaziland. Specifically, the study examines the effects of the 2015/16 drought on access to food in the informal settlement of kaKhoza in the city of Manzini. The study used climate change and food security conceptual framework to interrogate the connection between drought and food security in the urban context. The framework shows how climate change variables like extreme weather events (e.g. drought) impact food security drivers such as agricultural management, demographic, cultural and socio-economic variables, and how these drivers impact the four components of food security (food availability, access, utilization and stability of access). The study drew from both the positivistic and interpretivistic paradigms and adopted a case study approach based on the mixed methods research design. Data was collected from the informal settlement of kaKhoza using a three step procedure involving a questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A questionnaire was administered to 145 heads of households using systematic sampling technique. Purposive sampling was employed to select 30 and 8 respondents for in-depth and key informant interviews, respectively. The researcher also engaged the observation method approach to capture additional information about effects of drought as observed in the study site. The researcher adhered to all legal and ethical procedures during the data collection and research writing processes. As such, participation in the research was strictly voluntary without any form of coercion, whatsoever. The results reveal that drought contributes to food insecurity in low income urban spaces by reducing the quantity and frequency of free or low priced rural-urban food transfers. As a result, low income households have had to rely more on food purchases, thereby making them increasingly food insecure. The problem is compounded by reverse food flows from urban to rural areas. The drought induced food price hike, compelled many low-income households to be less dependent on the supermarket as the main source of their food, and to buy increased amounts of food from the vegetable markets and tuck shops. Residents employ different coping mechanisms to deal with drought induced food shortage, some of which are too risky and further expose them to food insecurity. These coping strategies include: skipping meals, begging, use of informal credit, over reliance on informal markets and selling of sexual favours, which expose respondents to HIV and AIDS infection.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2012.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-86).
We believe we understand food deserts, but we do not. In the last decade the phenomenon of food deserts has been often discussed, and many solutions are proposed to alleviate food access issues in American cities. However, I argue that the efficacy of these solutions is questionable until the causes of urban food deserts are better understood. Beyond the economics of retail grocery exist systemic, physical factors which contribute to the gaps in food access. Although grocery retailers have different models and consider varying factors when choosing where to locate, it is true that the built environment plays a part in whether a city is hospitable or hostile to grocery stores, especially of the types that sell healthy, fresh food.
by Caitlin Cameron.
M.C.P.

In Europe, 45% of vegetables and fruit have been lost before consumption. The main reason for the loss is suboptimal food, which is perfect based on safety and security but imperfect according to appearance or packaging. In this project, I want to find out new possibilities in urban development by suggesting a participative food supply chain.  It aims to inspire a paradigm of urban development and shift people’s attitudes towards suboptimal food. The participative supply chain includes food production, distribution, and retail/consumption. By participating in the food supply, residents and visitors can understand how the food system works, grow their food and help with food processing. With interaction and collaboration workers, they can value more about the food they consume and even change their eating patterns.

Includes bibliographical references.
Until recently food insecurity has been thought to be a primarily a rural problem. Local, national and international food security agendas have focused primarily on agricultural production as a means to addressing food insecurity. However more recent analyses of urban food insecurity indicate that is not a result of food shortage but rather food access and affordability. This research focuses on Cape Town as a case study as its rapidly rising urban population, especially amongst the lower income groups, is placing further pressure on the urban food system as the poor are often unable to purchase sufficient food throughout the month due to income constraints. Nevertheless, enhanced food production still remains the cornerstone strategy to alleviate food insecurity and even poverty in Cape Town. The interviews revealed that urban food insecurity is absent from urban planning agendas which has consequently caused food insecurity to proliferate in the city environment, especially amongst the urban poor. Considering that urban food insecurity is a relatively new concept, especially for South Africa, it is important to understand how it manifests itself within urban contexts and understand the determinants of it in Cape Town. The research identified that food moves through the city differently between formal and informal markets and that informal markets tend to have higher unit prices. Regardless of the higher prices of products from informal markets they were still found to be key food sourcing strategy for the urban poor as supermarkets were found to be, for the most part, absent from the Cape Flats area. The challenge for urban planners in Cape Town is to understand how food insecurity manifests itself spatially and to consider what policy approaches are available to them to improve food access and thus food security throughout Cape Town. The intention of this research is to understand the extent of these problems in Cape Town and to develop an Urban Food Security Plan to place urban food systems planning on the planning agenda.

Urban shepherd advocates the design and implementation of coherent productive living systems in urban environments. Central to urban shepherd is the creation of multifunctional urban space networks designed to improve ecosystem health while meeting human needs by inducing top-down institutional and bottom-up individual change. Urban Shepherd creates such change through a strategic vision, process and system. Exploring the urban experience through social and environmental landscape use, community ecologies and future architectural practice, urban shepherd offers effective practices of experimentation, future urban natures and the occasional sighting of sheep, pigs and chickens.
Urban Shephard förespråkar utformningen och tillämpningen av naturliga system integrerade i vår urbana miljö. I fokus ligger skapandet av det multifunktionella urbana systemet, designat att förbättra de befintliga ekosystemen och samtidigt möta människors behov genom att möjliggöra förändringar på såväl systemnivå som för enskilda individer. Genom att utforska arkitekturens roll i det sociala och praktiska användandet av det urbana rummet med hänsyn till samhällets behov av anknytningen till naturen, kan Urban Shepherd erbjuda effektiva lösningar i nydanande urbana miljöer med hjälp av en och annan gris, ko och höna.

Food security in urban environments is becoming an increasingly important issue worldwide; urban expansion and urban infilling means that city populations are rising while the amount of available land for growing food is reducing. Accessibility of food, in regards to potential food growing space and food retail locations at the household level, is a key indicator for determining how resilient households are to food insecurity. This thesis investigates accessibility of food in urban environments, and a methodology has been developed that employs a non location-specific data structure that assigns resilience categories to individual households. User-defined input variables for the amount of food-growing space required per person, and the maximum travel distance allowed, mean that different scenarios can be created. Two case studies of Christchurch and Stockholm are used to demonstrate how different datasets can be incorporated to give insight into the levels of resilience to food insecurity. Examples of potential sources of error caused by the variations in input dataset quality have been uncovered in the case studies, and possible strategies for dealing with these sources of error are discussed. Results of this study showed that greater maximum travel distances play a key role in accessibility of food in the urban environment, and that both cities are reliant on food retailers to supply food to the urban population, even when potential food growing space is taken into account. City planners or decision-makers can use the methodology developed in this thesis to make decisions about where potential growing space needs to be protected or allocated. They can also use it to model the potential effects of different scenarios, such as the addition of new subdivisions or changes in land use for public land.

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The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between socio-spatial segregation process, the consumption of food in the lower circuit of the urban economy, and food security. The proposed debate shows that the effects of a locational order in socio-spatially segregated environments bring the urban poor close to the food consumption at typical premises of the lower circuit. Such a fact is contributing to the worsening of quantitative and qualitative hunger. The spatial area of this analysis is the community of Vila Ouro Verde, located in Maria Otilia, in Ponta Grossa-PR. Result of an occupation during the year 2001, the community is the picture of spatial segregation and social exclusion. This research, in addition to showing a socioeconomic profile of families connected to the community, seeks to understand the factors that would help set up their habits of acquiring and consumption of food. We found that the higher prices, coupled with the low quality and little variety of existing products at small markets in the locality, collaborate for the formation of a food insecurity frame. Although the research presents a more exploratory nature, the results are relevant and provide a contribution to the study field of hunger
O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar a relação entre o processo de segregação socioespacial, o consumo de alimentos no circuito inferior da economia urbana e a segurança alimentar. O debate proposto demonstra que os efeitos da trama localizacional em ambientes socioespacialmente segregados aproximam os citadinos pobres do consumo de alimentos em estabelecimentos característicos do circuito inferior, contribuindo assim para o agravamento da fome quantitativa e qualitativa. O recorte espacial da análise é a comunidade da Vila Ouro Verde, situada no bairro Maria Otília, em Ponta Grossa-PR. Fruto de uma ocupação ocorrida no ano de 2001, a comunidade é o retrato da segregação espacial e da exclusão social. Esta pesquisa, além de traçar um perfil socioeconômico das famílias ligadas à comunidade, procura compreender os fatores que ajudariam a configurar seus hábitos de aquisição e consumo de alimentos. Constatou–se que os preços mais elevados, aliados à baixa qualidade e pouca variedade de produtos presentes nos pequenos mercados da localidade colaborariam para a formação de um quadro de insegurança alimentar. Ainda que a pesquisa apresente um caráter mais exploratório, os resultados obtidos são pertinentes e constituem uma contribuição ao campo de estudos da fome.

This thesis attempts to determine if food-producing plant growth can be incorporated within a building envelope to create an ideal plant growth environment while simultaneously enhancing the thermal properties of the building envelope. A window system was designed as a means of bringing food production into the built environment in an easily accessible fashion from the interior of a high-rise apartment complex. The Ya-Po-Ah Terrace in Eugene, Oregon, was chosen as a case study site for research on how a window could promote health, provide nutrition, and enhance the thermal comfort of the inhabitants. The design of the window unit is founded in precedent research on methods of plant growth in urban environments and systems for growing food in small and efficient ways. The design found that it is possible to create an ideal plant growth environment within a building assembly for use as a food production method for building inhabitants.

Finding an alternative to fishmeal and fish oil in animal feeds has been a topic of increasing interest due to the pressures being put on the ocean’s fisheries and the increasing world demand for animal protein. An often-overlooked source of nutrients is in the form of food waste. One third of all food produced globally ends up in landfills, wasting a huge amount of nutrients and embodied energy that could otherwise be redirected towards productive use. This study investigated the feasibility of feeding Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), grown on urban food waste, and Lemna minor, a species of duckweed, to tilapia in a recirculating aquaponic system as a compound feed. The study compared the growth of two groups of 58 tilapia over 44 days; one group was fed commercial pellets and the other a compound feed composed of BSFL and duckweed. The group fed the commercial pellets achieved heavier weight gain than the group fed the experimental feed but both groups resulted in steady weight gain and had similar mortality rates. Feeding the experimental feed composed of BSFL and duckweed to tilapia in an aquaponics system is an effective method of diverting food waste from the landfill and further research should be done to optimize this process.

The effect of family structure on household nutrition intake and the effect of wine, beer, and spirits consumption on household nutrition and health are examined. To evaluate nutrition intake, an Eating Healthy Index (EHI) is developed following the Compilation of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, published by the Chinese Nutrition Society, and the Healthy Eating Index-2010 components and standards for scoring from USDA. Using previously collected household survey data from 11 cities in China, an EHI is developed and calculated for each family to assess their nutrition intake. The score is calculated such that it increases if consumption is in a range representing healthy food intake. The relationship between the score, representing healthy nutrition intake, and household income, wife's education level, demographics, and household composition is explored using regression analysis. The results indicate that changes in family structure have significant effects on household nutrition intake.

This study responds to the effect that current food production has on the natural environment, by researching urban systems and ecosystems. In reaction to the findings, a new food production system and the urban buying and retail culture are investigated. A food market and hydroponic production building is designed to serve as an alternative to the supermarket and conventional food production. AFRIKAANS : Hierdie studie reageer op die uitwerking wat huidige voedsel produksie op die natuurlike omgewing het, deur stedelike stelsels en ekostelsels te bestudeer. In reaksie op die bevindings word ‘n nuwe voedsel produksie stelsel en die stedelike koop-enverkoop- kultuur ondersoek. ‘n Varsprodukte mark en hidroponiese produksie-gebou word ontwerp om ‘n alternatief te bied vir die supermark en konvensionele voedselproduksie.
Hierdie studie reageer op die uitwerking wat huidige voedsel produksie op die natuurlike omgewing het, deur stedelike stelsels en ekostelsels te bestudeer. In reaksie op die bevindings word ‘n nuwe voedsel produksie stelsel en die stedelike koop-en verkoop- kultuur ondersoek. ‘n Varsproduktemark en hidroponiese produksie-gebou word ontwerp om ‘n alternatief te bied vir die supermark en konvensionele voedselproduksie.
Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Architecture
unrestricted

Food pantry clients are at an increased risk of poor diet quality which can lead to a variety of chronic diseases. Identifying nutrition interventions that help improve the dietary intake of this vulnerable population is important to help improve health outcomes. Utah’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), also known as Food $ense, partners with many pantries throughout the state to improve healthy food access. This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a pantry intervention, Thumbs Up for Healthy Choices, to evaluate its impact on food pantry clients’ selection and use of identified healthy foods. In addition to program evaluation, data identifying interest in programs such as Thumbs Up, as well as common barriers that prevent pantry clients from making healthy choices was also collected and analyzed. This research was funded through a Utah State University (USU) Extension mini-grant for $8,500. The findings will be used to guide future SNAP-Ed initiatives that aim to make the healthy choice the easy choice in food pantries. The results will also be used to build the evidence base for the Thumbs Up for Healthy Choices program, which will allow other SNAP-Ed programs throughout the country to adopt and implement this effective program.

L'agricultura urbana (AU), especialment en les cobertes (AR), és una pràctica cada vegada més implementada per a complementar la creixent demanda de producció local d'aliments a les ciutats. Diversos treballs de recerca han demostrat la viabilitat tècnica d'aquest tipus d’instal·lacions d'agricultura i han quantificat els seus impactes ambientals. No obstant això, encara no s'ha dut a terme una recerca profunda sobre la qualitat del sistema productiu en cobertes que afecta tant, a l'entorn, al propi sistema on es conrea, com al producte final obtingut, en aquest cas, l'aliment. En general, la contaminació per metalls pesats és un dels temes principals en el debat sobre la seguretat alimentària i en el cas de la AU hi ha major preocupació pel fet que els cultius solen estar pròxims a zones d'alta densitat de trànsit. Una altra preocupació específica dels cultius protegits és la qualitat aerobiológica dins dels hivernacles. El nivell de concentració de pol·len i espores de fongs pot afectar els treballadors i es desconeix quina és la situació dels hivernacles urbans (RTG) i el potencial impacte en cas de realitzar una recirculació. L'alt consum d'aigua en la UA mediterrània, on l'aigua és un recurs escàs i que augmentarà en el futur a causa del canvi climàtic també és un aspecte clau a resoldre. A més, existeix una demanda per a promoure la AU en el context de les ciutats en el marc de l’economia circular aprofitant residus verds pròxims al lloc del cultiu, i reduint els seus impactes ambientals. Els aspectes esmentats anteriorment porten a analitzar quina és la percepció i acceptació d'aquest tipus d'agricultura i els aliments produïts entre els consumidors. La present tesi doctoral aborda aquest àmbit d'estudi intentant donar resposta a les següents preguntes: - Quina és la potencial contaminació de metalls pesants en els cultius sense sòl de l’agricultura urbana en coberta a l’aire lliure o en hivernacles deguda a la contaminació atmosfèrica de les ciutats? - Les condicions biològiques de l'aire en els hivernacles en coberta són adequades per a proporcionar entorns de treball segurs? I en el cas dels hivernacles integrats, es pot recircular el seu aire residual amb finalitats aprofitament energètic, al mateix temps que es garanteix un entorn segur de qualitat biològica per als usuaris de l'edifici? - Estem utilitzant substrats ambientalment adequats per a l'agricultura urbana sense sol capaços de mitigar els efectes del canvi climàtic fent-los resilients a la sequera? - Quina és la percepció del consumidor de l'agricultura en coberta i els productes conreats en elles? Aquesta tesi contribueix a un major enteniment dels principals factors que influeixen en la qualitat dels productes de RA i els sistemes de cultiu alhora que aporta noves estratègies per a millorar qualitat. Els resultats obtinguts en els diferents escenaris d'estudi demostren que en el context urbà es poden produir aliments d'alta qualitat, amb elevats rendiments productius alhora que es promouen estratègies d'economia circular com l'ús de residus vegetals urbans com a substrat. La futura recerca relacionada amb aquesta àrea de coneixement podria centrar-se en els següents temes: la qualitat dels productes i els sistemes de producció de la AU podrien centrar-se en els següents temes: • avaluar la contaminació d'altres contaminants atmosfèrics • estudiar la contaminació per metalls pesats en cultius de cicle llarg • estudiar la dinàmica de partícules al·lergògenes durant l'hivern, època amb menor taxa de renovació d'aire en un RTG • aprofundir en la cerca i optimització de substrats orgànics locals en la RA • Aprofundir en la percepció de la qualitat a través d'estudis organolèptics amb panells de tast així com utilitzar altres tècniques de caracterització d'aliments com l’espectroscòpia
La agricultura urbana (AU), especialmente en las cubiertas (AR), es una práctica cada vez más implementada para complementar la creciente demanda de producción local de alimentos en las ciudades. Diversos trabajos de investigación han demostrado la viabilidad técnica de este tipo de agricultura y han cuantificado sus impactos ambientales. Sin embargo, aún no se ha llevado a cabo una investigación profunda sobre la calidad del sistema productivo en cubiertas que afecta tanto, al entorno, al propio sistema en donde se cultiva, como al producto final obtenido, en este caso, el alimento. En general, la contaminación por metales pesados ​​es uno de los temas principales en el debate sobre la seguridad alimentaria y en el caso de la AU hay mayor preocupación debido a que los cultivos suelen estar próximos a zonas de alta densidad de tráfico. Otra preocupación específica de los cultivos protegidos es la calidad aerobiológica dentro de los invernaderos. El nivel de concentración de polen y esporas de hongos puede afectar los trabajadores y se desconoce cuál es la situación de los invernaderos urbanos (RTG) y el potencial impacto en caso de realizar una recirculación. El alto consumo de agua en la UA mediterránea, donde el agua es un recurso escaso y que aumentará en el futuro a causa del cambio climático es un aspecto clave a resolver. Además, existe una demanda para promover la AU en el marco de la economía circular en las ciudades aprovechando residuos verdes cercanos al lugar del cultivo, y reduciendo sus impactos ambientales. Los aspectos mencionados anteriormente llevan a analizar cuál es la percepción y aceptación de este tipo de agricultura y los alimentos producidos entre los consumidores. La presente tesis doctoral aborda este ámbito de estudio intentando dar respuesta a las siguientes preguntas: - ¿Cuál es la potencial contaminación de metales pesados en los cultivos sin suelo de la agricultura urbana en cubierta al aire libre o en invernaderos debida a la contaminación atmosférica de las ciudades? - ¿Las condiciones biológicas del aire en los invernaderos en cubierta son adecuadas para proporcionar entornos de trabajo seguros? Y en el caso de los invernaderos integrados, ¿se puede recircular su aire residual con finalidades aprovechamiento energético y al mismo tiempo se garantiza un entorno seguro de calidad biológica para los usuarios del edificio? - ¿Estamos utilizando sustratos ambientalmente adecuados para la agricultura urbana sin suelo y capaces de mitigar los efectos del cambio climático haciéndolos resilientes a la sequía? - ¿Cuál es la percepción del consumidor de la agricultura en cubierta y los productos cultivados en ellas? Esta tesis contribuye a un mayor entendimiento de los principales factores que influyen en la calidad de los productos de RA y los sistemas de cultivo a la vez que aporta nuevas estrategias para mejorar calidad. Los resultados obtenidos en los distintos escenarios de estudio demuestran que en el contexto urbano se pueden producir alimentos de alta calidad, con elevados rendimientos productivos a la vez que se promueven estrategias de economía circular como el uso de residuos vegetales urbanos como sustrato. La futura investigación relacionada con esta área de conocimiento podría centrarse en los siguientes temas: • evaluar la contaminación de otros contaminantes atmosféricos • estudiar la contaminación por metales pesados en cultivos de ciclo largo • estudiar la dinámica de partículas alergénicas durante el invierno, época con menor tasa de renovación de aire en un RTG • profundizar en la búsqueda y optimización de sustratos orgánicos locales en la RA • Profundizar en la percepción de la calidad a través de estudios organolépticos con paneles de cata así como utilizar otras técnicas de caracterización de alimentos como la espectroscopia
Urban agriculture (UA), particularly rooftop urban agriculture (RA), has increased in the last few years to satisfy the growing demand for local food production in cities. Previous research has demonstrated the technical viability and quantified the environmental impacts of producing food on rooftops, both in and outside greenhouses. However, no in-depth research has been carried out yet on the key aspect of food quality, which cuts right across the environment, the system and the final product, in this case the food. In general, heavy metal pollution is one of the most pressing concerns in the deliberation about food security and food safety in Europe. Additionally, in the case of UA, crops are often very close to roads with heavy traffic and with a high atmospheric pollution risk. Another relevant concern about air quality specific to protected crops is the biological air quality inside greenhouses. The concentration levels of pollen and fungus spores suspended in the air can affect people who regularly work in the greenhouse and it is not known how this plays in an urban context. High water consumption of gardens in Mediterranean cities, where water is a scarce resource, is also a key factor to assess. At the same time, there is a demand to promote UA in the context of circular cities, using green materials near the place of consumption, which helps reduce the environmental impacts of food production. For these reasons, it was also considered essential to study customers’ perception and acceptance of this type of agriculture and the food it produces. This doctoral thesis aims to fill these gaps by addressing the following research questions: - Does atmospheric heavy metal pollution in cities contaminate soilless crops from RA and RTGs? - Are the biological air conditions in RTGs adequate to provide safe working environments? And in the case of i-RTGS, can its air be recirculated while ensuring safe environment for building users? - Are we using adequate substrates for urban agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change and increase resilience to drought? - What is the consumer’s perception of RA and products grown in these systems? This dissertation contributes to understanding the main factors influencing the quality of food and RA cultivation systems and provides new strategies to increase their quality. The results from the different points analyzed demonstrate that, in an urban context, it is possible to produce high quality food products from high crop yields while adopting circular economy strategies, such as the use of biowaste as a substrate.  Future research on the fields assessed might focus on the following areas: • Evaluating contamination through additional atmospheric pollutants • Determining the heavy metal content in longtime leafy crops • Studying the dynamics of allergenic particles in winter, the season with the lowest ventilation levels inside an RTG • Exploring and optimizing organic substrates from local RA • Further assessing the perception of quality through organoleptic studies with trained panels and with other techniques of food characterization, such as spectroscopy

To address the negative environmental, political, and social consequences of the dominant, industrialized global food system, communities around the world have developed goals and values underlying a sustainable food system. Conceptualizing food production, distribution, and consumption as systems helps clarify the ways food affects social and natural environments, with the distribution element as the critical juncture where the product reaches the consumer. Urban food systems are a particularly important environment in which to study movements toward sustainability. This paper focuses on the movement for a sustainable food system in Portland, Oregon, with particular focus on the city’s markets for food acquisition – food retail, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture endeavors, restaurants, food service and distribution companies, institutional purchasing programs, and community gardens, as well as the organizations that support the work of these businesses and programs. Leaders in the field of sustainable food systems are now beginning to operate with a strategy for change that emphasizes incorporating sustainable food products and sustainable food system values into mainstream food markets instead of remaining in niche, alternative markets as has occurred in the past. This notion is supported by economic and social theories including the consumer information model, stakeholder theory, social movement theories of change, and network theories. This paper explores the extent to which Portland food distribution businesses, programs, and organizations attempt to fulfill the goals of a sustainable food system movement with moving from niche to mainstream in mind. The fact that the movement is in fact acting according to new strategies for change emphasizing the mainstream is indicated by the movement’s extensive consumer education and creative use of marketing, strong social and business networks, and organized local policy influences.

Our modern “traditional” agricultural system is not sustainable. This system is highly dependent on limited resources such as land, oil and water. It also has numerous negative impacts, including the depletion of resources leading to higher prices, pollutions leading to health risks, global warming, deforestation and biodiversity loss. These dependencies and consequences are combined with a growing and ever more affluent global population which requires greater amount of resources to support its growth and which increases the negative impacts on the environment. All indicates that our system is reaching its limits and that there is a need for new solutions. This research introduces the general context (problem and existing research) and explores an alternative, namely: Intensive Vertical Urban Agriculture (I.V.U.A.). This method seems to offer two particularly interesting promises beneficial for Sustainable Urban Development: the reduction of transportation, and the integration of food production in the urban nutrient and energy cycles. However, to achieve these potential benefits the technology (in a broad sense) has to meet several challenges and there is a need for further experimentation. This study explores challenges of I.V.U.A. and key factors enabling or hindering experimentation in this field. This investigation identified key barriers to further development of I.V.U.A. through the use of a case study. The Plantagon International ABis a unique project which will be built in 2013, in Linkoping, Sweden. It will be the first vertical greenhouse of a considerable scale in the world with a research and commercial aim. Barriers to I.V.U.A. were identified as: - Lack of awareness about the problems with our modern food supply, and hence missed opportunities for S.U.D. - Attitudes that are working against I.V.U.A. and competition for recognition with other forms of agriculture as alternative to the problem of food production - Lack of technical abilities, knowledge and skills in I.V.U.A. - Funding/supporting infrastructures (physical or informational) - Blockages that are the result of administrations and policies which are largely based around “traditional” agriculture. Finally, a set of recommendations was drawn from the interviews of the case study and the literature review, to help planners and decision-makers lift these barriers and enable experimenting. These four implications to consider and explore are: - Gaining understanding of the complexity of S.U.D.problems and the need for a wide range of solutions which include I.V.U.A.; - Including a greater amount of stakeholders, and considering contexts - Improving access to land but also to resources and infrastructures - Building support to enable I.V.U.A. to thrive on its own

This thesis considers three food-centred spaces in London. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from sociology, geography, urban design and morphology, it explores the spatial and social transformation of the Borough Market, Broadway Market and Exmouth Market areas through the revival of their food markets. Using a mix of methods including interviews, observations, mapping and urban design analysis, the case study-based research situates these neighbourhoods along a continuum of food quarter development. The work reflects on the quarters not only as fast gentrifying locations in which renewal is grounded in new forms of conspicuous food consumption, but as places that also support changing - and potentially less alienating - relationships between sustainable urban form, urban design context and convivial social processes focused on food. It is argued that the aspatiality of much sociological research into foodscapes tends to underemphasise the connections between the physical and the social, which in the three food quarters are nuanced and complicated. On the one hand, food quarters are experienced by some, after Bourdieu (1984), as 'mini habituses' (Bridge, 2006) in which identity construction is linked to distinction based on food, and modelled on particular forms of food consumption. On the other hand, despite sometimes 'idealised narratives' (Butler, 2007) of community' formation, food quarters may also make a contribution to developing more sustainable cities, by supporting and nurturing convivial socio-spatial food practices that sometimes transcend commodification. In particular, the thesis explores how compact city design, founded on a strong sense of place, underpins local economic vitality, and informs the richness of experiences of food and eating. The thesis concludes that despite some gentrifying effects, the food quarters are in certain respects defying dominant spatialised trends evident in London, to develop in a more convivial, gastronomically rich and sustainable way.

Food systems are vulnerable to the impacts of resource scarcity, climate change, and population growth, as well as the issues associated with unsustainable social, environmental and economic practices. These challenges have encouraged local food systems as an alternative to global supply chains. This thesis studies this trend at the urban level in order to explore issues and opportunities for change. It argues that urban food systems need to embrace both sustainability and resilience. A sustainable urban food system has an economy that serves social needs while safely operating within ecological limits. Resilience, on the other hand, includes the ability to recover from shocks such as extreme weather events, as well as the capacity to adapt and ultimately transform in response to the ongoing impacts of climate change. The main research question that this thesis investigates is “How can alternative food networks help to foster sustainable and resilient urban food systems considering climate change and increased urbanisation?” A comparative case study approach was used involving local initiatives in the Brisbane and greater Melbourne metropolitan regions (Australia). Both Australian urban areas have similar economic development; however, differences can be found in terms of institutional interest and the existence of food policies. The gathering of a diverse picture of alternative food networks was the strategy adopted for selecting the initiatives that participated in this research. The criteria that alternative food networks should attend were the existence of goals related to access to healthy food, fairer conditions for food workers, and reduction of environmental impacts. The thesis used multiple sources of data including primary (semi-structured interviews with founders or members of initiatives and field observation) and secondary data (publicly available documents such as annual reports). The findings of this research contribute to the conceptualisation and planning of sustainable and resilient urban food systems, as well as, to the knowledge on the role and limitations of alternative food networks in achieving this. The case study conducted in this thesis revealed how alternative food networks can contribute to the creation of food provision systems that are aligned with environmental sustainability and social justice. The thesis exposed the particularities of initiatives that, among other aspects, have minimal food loss and waste, supports agroecology, provides farmers with fair payment and makes organic food affordable. Alternative food networks demonstrated to have resilience building capacity, something that is not confined to its borders and can impact on the whole urban food system. Alternative food networks’ values travel and allow the replication and creation of new models, however, not in the pace necessary for a wider urban food system transformation. The main challenge exposed by this thesis for alternative food networks is the need for scaling up by influencing institutions and policies more broadly.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Environment and Sc
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

This thesis presents research on community food gardens as an example of urban agriculture. It aims to provide evidence on the factors that influence their ability to produce food. Drawing on participant observation methods, and interviews with community food gardeners, on six London housing estates in 2010, this thesis explores the everyday community food garden practices of residents. It explores the factors that influence food growing, from discourse, everyday practice, and spatial interactions of those who garden. Key results show that the process of transforming, constructing, and inhabiting material space occupies residents’ time, leading to a reduced emphasis on food production. The research concludes that food harvests as an edible outcome are only sought in quantities relative to confirming the embodied situation of social practices, a key aspect of which is the need to gain spatial sovereignty over the estates’ landscape.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2009.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-44).
This thesis is an exploration into how New York City can incorporate local food system planning into their existing sustainability program by capitalizing on recent energy and grassroots initiatives. I argue for the importance of local and regionally produced food as a part of food system sustainability, and propose that food issues be addressed at the local level. In order to learn how food planning transforms from a social and advocacy movement and into policy, I compare food policy initiatives in Chicago, San Francisco, and Vancouver. My analysis of each city's food program reveals their shared aspiration to provide affordable, accessible, and fresh food with few adverse environmental impacts. Each city's strategies are the product of local conditions, interests, and political culture. I recommend that as the New York City government looks towards coordinating food policy, these precedents illustrate the necessity of tailoring urban food policy practices to suit local conditions, community culture, and needs. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of nascent food policy efforts while suggesting roles for policy makers, community groups, and citizens in New York City.
by Deborah Helaine Morris.
M.C.P.

Architectural scholars have studied the origins, growth, and development of New World settlements and their works document aspects such as land division, infrastructure, construction materials and building techniques. Often overlooked, however, are the physical effects that everyday food-related activities had in shaping these places.This thesis explores the relationships that linked subsistence to the architecture of the cold-climate settlement of Montreal in seventeenth and eighteenth century New France. It investigates food production cycles and transformation processes, and seeks to reconstruct the spatial-temporal chains through which food made its way from field to table to wastes in a pre-industrial urban context. It does so, through introducing the concept of food paths. The correlation between food trajectories, the form of the settlement and its social structure are discussed through an investigation of areas dedicated to the production of cereals, meats and produce, their processing, consumption, storage and discharge. Methodologically, the scarcity of the relevant physical evidence, the fact that the interaction between food paths and architecture deals with several unknowns related to the timeframe, as well as the very perishable nature of food and the transient character of its trajectories pose major challenges that require an inter-disciplinary approach towards reconstructing related processes. Hence, this work seeks evidence from primary sources that include both iconographical data and manuscripts. Maps, travelersř notes, notariesř acts and archaeological data referring to landscape, urban form, architecture and artefacts also find their place in this study, in complementary roles.Among this dissertationřs original contributions is its interpretation of architecture and the development of a human settlement, by adding a new and complementary layer to morphological analysis. By examining and differentiating food paths, this work also creates a framework for the study of food and architecture that can be applied to cases across both time and space. Finally, it also contributes to understanding space beyond the paradigm of form and function and considers architecture as part of daily life processes.
Les chercheurs en architecture ont étudié l'origine et le développement des colonies dans le Nouveau Monde et leurs travaux documentent des aspects tels que la division territoriale, l'infrastructure, la planification urbaine, les matériaux et techniques de constructions. Toutefois, les répercussions physiques que les activités journalières des colons ont eues sur l'environnement qu'ils ont occupé, particulièrement celles liées à l'alimentation, n'ont pas fait l'objet d'études approfondies. Cette thèse explore les relations entre la subsistance et l'architecture au cours du 17ième et 18ième siècles dans l'établissement de Montréal en Nouvelle France. Elle étudie comment les aliments se sont déplacés depuis les espaces de production aux lieux de consommation et de déchet. Pour cela, elle introduit le concept de trajectoires alimentaires qu'elle analyse selon les catégories suivantes: céréales, viandes, fruits et légumes. Ce travail examine les liens entre les flux alimentaires, la forme urbaine, le bâti, la structure sociale et les rythmes temporels de l'établissement humain en question. Méthodologiquement, les nombreux inconnus liés à la période de recherche et à la nature périssable des aliments ont constitué un défi de taille et ont requis une approche interdisciplinaire. Ce travail s'appuie sur des sources iconographiques et manuscrites (plans, carnets de voyage, ordonnances, actes notariés, débris archéologiques) liés au paysage, à la forme urbaine, à l'architecture et aux artéfacts de l'époque et du site en question. Cette thèse contribue à une nouvelle interprétation de l'architecture et du développement des colonies. A travers l'analyse des trajectoires alimentaires, elle crée un nouveau cadre d'étude qui pourrait être ajusté et réutilisé pour d'autres cas circonscrits à des périodes temporelles et des espaces géographiques différents. Au delà du paradigme forme/fonction, cette étude permet une nouvelle compréhension de l'architecture qu'elle lie à des processus.

The effect of family structure on household nutrition intake and the effect of wine, beer, and spirits consumption on household nutrition and health are examined. To evaluate nutrition intake, an Eating Healthy Index (EHI) is developed following the Compilation of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, published by the Chinese Nutrition Society, and the Healthy Eating Index-2010 components and standards for scoring from USDA. Using previously collected household survey data from 11 cities in China, an EHI is developed and calculated for each family to assess their nutrition intake. The score is calculated such that it increases if consumption is in a range representing healthy food intake. The relationship between the score, representing healthy nutrition intake, and household income, wife's education level, demographics, and household composition is explored using regression analysis. The results indicate that changes in family structure have significant effects on household nutrition intake.

This study explored food insecurity by examining the ways in which residents of low-income, urban communities access food. The primary elements of this thesis are an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations surrounding food retailers, and a survey of the availability, cost, and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables in food stores commonly found in the urban environment. Overall, this study found that low-income, minority communities are largely served by independent supermarkets, small grocers and convenience stores that charge higher prices for staple foods. Conversely, it was found that wealthy areas enjoy easy access to corporate supermarkets that offer higher-quality foods at lower prices.

Thesis (Master of Architecture)--University of Cincinnati, 2009.
Advisors: John Hancock (Committee Chair), Gerald Larson (Committee Co-Chair), Terry Boling (Advisor). Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed July 25, 2009). Includes abstract. Keywords: Slow food; regional; local; place. Includes bibliographical references.

The thesis regards a conceptual distinction between the city as the place for food consumption, and the countryside as the place for food production. This distinction turns to be problematic because of the illusory possibility of endless consumption generated within the city to be inconsiderate of the limitations of rural production. On this ground, the thesis demonstrates this distinction to relate to historical patterns of food production and consumption within, respectively, rural and urban environments. It does so by illustrating how the industrial expansion over the historical city walls and its consequent de-industrialization have fostered a progressive functional and physical segregation of urban spaces of consumption. The thesis acknowledges that any assumption as to the countryside’s separation from the city can be overturned by a more nuanced relationship between these two entities. This thesis argues that this can be achieved through the combined application, upon the urban environment, of selected principles of the Slow Food movement, conflating food production with the pleasure of food consumption; and a conception of agriculture not in antagonism with the city.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toledo, 2010.
Typescript. "Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Geography." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Title from title page of PDF document. Bibliography: p. 52-57.

Purpose: The increasing importance given to sustainability issues by governments, companies, consumers, suppliers, researchers, students and the authors of this paper in addition to the scarce empirical studies on the topic of sustainable last mile logistics operations in the food retail industry in Sweden provides relevance to the choice of topic. This paper presents an exploratory single-case study on a Swedish food retailer with a strong sustainability-oriented decision-making body, and will seek to understand how they manage to adopt best sustainable practices and which drivers and most responsible for it. Objective: The aim of this study is to present through an empirical study, how food retailers operate their last mile logistics operations according to the triple bottom line approach, contributing to this young field where a profusion of data to confirm the existing theory remains deficient. Furthermore, the focus is placed on the different drivers for food retailers to adopt sustainable practices in their transportation operations from the distribution warehouse to their stores located in urban areas. Approach: A Swedish food retailer that strives for best practices will be studied in order to obtain key empirical data, which will allow the authors to compare theory and empirical data.  The study will focus on the sustainability-oriented operations approach in the Last Mile Logistics of the chosen retailer and observe the different drivers regarding their operations following all aspects of the triple bottom line. A single-case study analysis of a leading company in terms of sustainability-driven operations will provide more insight on how this “category” of food retailers manages to operationalize their environmental-friendly culture and strategy for inbound Last Mile Logistics successfully, without losing their competitive edge and remaining economically sustainable. Findings: After juxtaposing the secondary data issued from the existing theories on sustainable LML in the food retail industry to the primary data obtained from Axfood, a Swedish food retailer, the results have demonstrated that a business cannot neglect economic drivers to be financially sustainable, (cost optimization, enhanced efficiency, etc.) it remains important and cannot be overridden to enable a shift towards optimal sustainability practices in LML operations. However, the drivers that have proven to make the cut in order to succeed in achieving best sustainable practices are; a highly proactive management, stakeholder pressure (particularly consumers and NGOs amongst others) and innovative technology (including those that imply a short-term economic trade-off for long-term greater good to the TBL dimensions). Keywords: Sustainability; Sustainable practices; Last Mile Logistics; Sustainable Last Mile Logistics; Triple Bottom Line; Food Retailers; Food Retail Industry; Drivers.

The thesis presents an exploration into the relationship between food and planning in Helsinki and Stockholm. It looks at the top-down side of planning and the bottom-up side of urban gardening to investigate how food and urban gardening are taken into consideration in the official planning; how two urban gardening initiatives, Dodo's Kääntöpöytä and Trädgård på spåret, are involved in shaping their city; and what the relationship between the two sides is. The study is qualitative and uses case study approach, netnography, interviews, questionnaires, planning documents, and observation to answer the research questions. The literature review includes food systems and planning, urban agriculture, and planning theory on public participation, urban forms and sustainability. Urban food planning cannot be said to exist in either city yet, but Helsinki has a relatively recent strategy that aims to improve the food system and accommodate more urban gardening, and urban gardening is increasingly allowed in both cities. The gardening organisations, Dodo and Trädgård på spåret, are involved in planning in different ways, but both wish to promote urban gardening as a sustainable strategy. The relationship between the two sides is generally positive, and both initiatives are in line with their city's goal of becoming more sustainable.

La tesis consiste en el diseño de una propuesta urbana el cual tiene un área bruta de 1’056,492.03 m² y un perímetro de 4,188.41 ml. ubicado en las Pampas de Piedras Gordas en el distrito de Ancón; el cual tendrá como base el fondo MiVivienda y Techo Propio. La importancia radica en el lugar donde se emplaza la propuesta, pues es una de las pocas zonas que Lima Metropolitana posee para desarrollase urbanísticamente, y la mejor forma seria a partir de una inversión del estado que promueva la creación y luego la construcción de estos proyectos por parte del sector privado, no se debe permitir el avance de las invasiones informales por grupos de pobladores y traficantes de terreno. El proyecto se encuentra entre dos vías, una de estas es la Carretera Panamericana Norte (altura del kilometro 40) y la Avenida Chimpu Ocllo (proyectada pero no construida); en este lugar no se tiene un entorno urbano mediato solo existen algunas viviendas, sin contar la falta de equipamientos urbano de tipo social, educacional y de recreación; se tiene una población mal atendida y sobretodo sin propuestas económicas de una mejor vivienda. La gran demanda de una vivienda en Lima Metropolitana ha hecho que el precio de las viviendas y terrenos cada vez sean mayores, incrementando los costos de la compra y venta de las misma, esto ha generado el desplazamiento de los sectores económicos más débiles a la zona periurbana de la ciudad. Se tiene a los sectores Norte, Sur y Este de Lima Metropolitana como los puntos de mas crecimiento poblacional, de estos tres destaca el sector Norte y Sur los cuales tienen mayor cantidad de población pero a su vez una mayor falta de servicios básicos, aunque también existen en estas zonas distritos de gran crecimiento económico como Los Olivos. Teniendo como base el crecimiento económico, la población y sobre todo el desarrollo económico del poblador, uno entiende que es necesario empezar a planear un plan de contención sobre el futuro de la ciudad, el proyecto de tesis contempla todo esto, se tiene una visión de futuro a las posibles necesidades que un habitante debe tener y sobretodo que pueda adquirirlo. Entre los criterios de diseño del proyecto se realizara una Habilitación Urbana Tipo 5 con construcción simultanea, el cual solo aporta en educación y recreación publica, también se planteo tener vías de servicios auxiliares paralelas a las vías existentes, esto a razón de no impactar vialmente a estas vías. Con respecto a los parques se propone dos parques viales en el perímetro del terreno y perpendiculares a las vías, esto a manera de colchón verde el cual evite posibles expansiones informales del proyecto, tanto internas como externas, incluso pueden ser no solo de uso de los futuros habitantes del proyecto sino también por habitantes cercanos al mismo, sin contar con un parque central que remata en un centro deportivo, el cual no existe en ninguna parte del distrito de Ancón. Con respecto a la propuesta de las manzanas, se ideo tener manzanas con edificios multifamiliares del fondo MiVivienda con altura de seis (6) pisos a los lados más largos y lotes de viviendas unifamiliares al centro, las mismas que tendrán parques y pasajes para el acceso y transito dentro de la manzana, en los lados más cortos de la misma se tendrán bolsas de estacionamientos, los cuales estarán a razón de 1 cada 3 viviendas, esto según la Norma A0.20 Capitulo 2, Articulo 15. Además cada dos manzanas de viviendas se emplazara una manzana de servicio o manzana ancla, en esta manzana ira el aporte obligatorio de educación y recreación publica, pero se propone a manera de plus del proyecto proponer aportes no obligatorios, estos serán necesarios para complementar las actividades básicas de la población, entre estos se encuentra el Club House y Comercial Zonal. En las manzanas laterales se propone edificios multifamiliares del fondo Techo Propio con altura de cuatro (4) pisos con bolsas de estacionamientos cada cierto tramo, al igual se pondrá el aporte obligatorio de educación y no obligatorio de Club House y Comercial Zonal. Aparte de las manzanas explicadas anteriormente, cada cuatro manzanas de vivienda generan una manzana de uso metropolitano, el cual no solo tiene impacto en el proyecto sino también en los habitantes cercanos al mismo, aquí se propone los aportes obligatorios de educación y recreación publica, a estos se va a adicionar un lote de comercio, esto con el fin de tener un centro económico en un futuro dentro del proyecto. Al final del proyecto como cierre se propone los edificios multifamiliares con fondo Techo Propio con los lotes de vivienda unifamiliares, siguiendo los lineamientos de la primera manzana explicada. Se debe decir que también se está dando un aporte no obligatorio para Salud, pues no existe ningún centro médico en toda la zona, el mismo estará cerca a la Carretera Panamericana Norte para la rápida entrada y salida de cualquier eventualidad. En conclusión, la presente tesis no solo otorga una solución para los usuarios del proyecto, sino también trata de satisfacer las necesidades de los vecinos cercanos al mismo, tener una visión del futuro del crecimiento de la ciudad y de las demandas constantes de sus ciudadanos. Llegando al final se tiene como frase “crecer por inversión y no por invasión”, hay que planificar el futuro y no esperar a que la informalidad se apodere del mismo.

Le site de Libreville est caractérisé par un relief accidenté, fait de collines, mais surtout de vallons encaissés et de larges vallées marécageuses : les bas-fonds. Dans un premier temps, la ville a évolué sur les collines et les zones exondées, évitant systématiquement les pentes raides, les vallons encaissés et les zones marécageuses. Avec la poussée démographique des années 1970 et en l’absence de toute planification, l’urbanisation s’est poursuivie dans les bas-fonds créant des quartiers sous-intégrés où se concentrent les principaux maux urbains. Dans les dépressions physiques se sont donc installées les dépressions sociales, faisant de Libreville une ville minée par les problèmes urbains de tous ordres. Les inondations, les glissements de terrain et les éboulements coexistent avec l’insalubrité et les problèmes de santé, la pauvreté et les conditions de vie précaires. Les bas-fonds, encore appelés matitis ou mapanes, représentent aujourd’hui plus de 80% de la surface bâtie et sont l’expression d’une croissance urbaine non maîtrisée. Longtemps désignés comme des espaces de ségrégation socio-spatiale, les matitis sont désormais des lieux de mixité sociale où se retrouvent des populations de différentes classes sociales. L’omniprésence de ces quartiers insalubres à travers pose de véritables problèmes d’aménagement et de développement urbain. Envisager le développement de la capitale gabonaise suppose l’aménagement drastique et la viabilisation des mapanes. Cela suppose également que les autorités locales prennent en main et encadrent la croissance urbaine. Pour cela, l’application des principes de bonne gouvernance s’avère impérieuse dans une ville qui a vécu au rythme des détournements plus ou moins scandaleux des deniers publics. L’éradication des matitis est un défi pour les pouvoirs publics et une chance pour les milliers de personnes qui y vivent
The site of Libreville is characterized by a hilly landscape, makes of hills, but especially boxed small valleys and wide swampy valleys: the slums. At first, the city evolved on hills and zones exshowers, avoiding systematically the stiff slopes, the boxed small valleys and the swampy zones. With the increase in population of the 1970s and in the absence of any planning, the urbanization continued in the slums creating sub-integrated districts where concentrate the main urban troubles. In the physical depressions thus settled down the social depressions, making of Libreville a city mined by the urban problems of any orders. The floods, the landslides and the collapses coexist with the insalubrity and the problems of health, the poverty and the precarious living conditions. The slums, still called matitis or mapanes, represent more than 80 % of the built surface today and are the expression of a not mastered urban growth. For a long time indicated as spaces of socio-spatial segregation, matitis is henceforth places of social coeducation where meet themselves populations of various social classes. To envisage the development of the Gabonese capital supposes the drastic arrangement and the viabilisation of mapanes. It also supposes that the local authorities take in hand and supervise the urban growth. For that purpose, the application of the principles of good governance turns out authoritarian in a city which lived at the rate of the more or less scandalous diversions of the public deniers. The eradication of matitis is a challenge for authorities and a chance for thousands of populations which live there