Speaker
Description
Food has emerged as a critical element of urban systems, gaining increasing attention in urban planning discussions from various perspectives. Among the key concepts gaining prominence in this discourse is "food deserts." In the literature, food deserts are commonly defined as areas where access to a variety of healthy foods is significantly limited. In essence, food deserts pertain to the spatial examination of food consumption geographies and the identification of areas experiencing food insecurity. This concept serves as a means to identify socioeconomically disadvantaged and vulnerable areas, thereby highlighting spatial inequalities in food accessibility. Analyzing food deserts necessitates the simultaneous consideration of physical (1) and socioeconomic (2) factors. The identification of food deserts, particularly since the 1990s, has been a major focus in North America and has gained global relevance with the advent of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In urban settings, mapping food deserts enables policymakers to develop and implement strategies addressing justice and inequality within cities. The spatial analysis of these areas not only ensures the rational identification of food deserts but also enhances the effectiveness and traceability of the policies implemented.
Many cities have incorporated food security strategies into their agendas to advance food security discussions and align with the SDGs. Istanbul, home to approximately one-fifth of Türkiye’s population, is among these cities. In 2021, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) published the Istanbul Food Strategy document, which included a commitment to investigate the existence of areas defined as "food deserts" in the literature and, if present, to prioritize interventions in these regions. Against this backdrop, this study aims to investigate the existence and characteristics of food deserts within the metropolitan area of Istanbul.
While the literature predominantly considers supermarkets as the primary source for staple food retail, in Türkiye, open markets (neighborhood bazaars) hold particular importance for fresh food purchases. These bazaars are not only more accessible but also often more affordable compared to supermarkets. According to survey data conducted by the IMM, 56% of Istanbul residents "always" or "often" utilize neighborhood bazaars.
This study seeks to spatially identify problematic areas in terms of access to neighborhood bazaars (food deserts) and food oases in Istanbul. We employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and applied spatial autocorrelation and hotspot techniques. Under the physical (1) dimension, we considered food access points and land use patterns. Due to the challenges of acquiring precise point data and the cultural preference for bazaars, neighborhood bazaars were evaluated as food access points. A scoring system was developed based on criteria such as ecological/organic status, operating hours, and the type of market (open—large, medium, small—or enclosed). Under the socioeconomic (2) dimension, we incorporated variables such as Socioeconomic Status (SES) values, percentage of residents receiving social assistance, percentage of disabled population, percentage of homeownership, and income levels. Additionally, a scoring system reflecting household preferences for food retail was created, enabling district-level inferences regarding bazaar usage.
The study's findings reveal that food deserts overlap with the most socioeconomically deprived areas. Notably, compared to the European side, the Asian side of Istanbul exhibits greater vulnerability in terms of access to food points (neighborhood bazaars). The outcomes of this study are expected to provide an analytical foundation for urban food planning and efforts to combat food insecurity. By doing so, the study aspires to guide the development of policies and their spatial implementation, contributing to the construction of resilient urban food systems.
| Keywords | Food Accessibility; Spatial Inequalities; Food Security; Food Deserts |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
