Speaker
Description
Over the past two decades, food policy networks have significantly contributed to transforming food systems globally. However, there remains a critical gap in understanding the precise impact and scope of these transformations, particularly when considering the diverse interfaces within the triad of science, policy, and action. This challenge becomes more pronounced during periods of environmental, political, and socioeconomic crises, marked by heightened uncertainty.
Although still underexplored in the literature, recent studies (e.g., Zerbian et al., 2024; Moragues-Faus et al., 2024; Oliveira, 2022) highlight that a key determinant of these transformations lies in the constellation of multi-actor urban food governance spaces. These spaces enable the co-creation of more inclusive and territorially embedded knowledge-policy interfaces, which are crucial for advancing sustainable food systems.
Building on the framework of the European project FoodCLIC, which seeks to guide policy, planning, and practice-based interventions in urban food environments, this research investigates sustainable co-benefits, strengthened rural-urban linkages, enhanced social inclusion, and new connections between food systems and other complex systems. Specifically, we assess the effectiveness of food policy networks in the Mediterranean context, leveraging empirical data derived from structured interviews conducted in three city-regions: Lisbon (Portugal), Barcelona (Spain), and Pisa (Italy).
Drawing from the perspectives of representatives from science, policy, and action in each city-region, the study applies the analytical framework proposed by Moragues-Faus (2024), which emphasizes the principles of Time, Place, Relations, Diversity, and Power. This approach allows for a comparative analysis that sheds light on the dynamics of urban food governance and the opportunities for fostering socio-ecological transformation.
By contextualizing the findings within the broader theoretical landscape, this work aims to inspire reflexive initiatives tailored to the specific needs of each city-region. Ultimately, the goal is to identify and promote effective, long-term commitments and shared responsibilities that drive sustainable food systems while addressing the interconnected challenges of urbanization, inequality, and environmental sustainability.
References
Tanya Zerbian, Ana Moragues-Faus, Daniel López-García, Lidia García-García,
Territorialising knowledge-policy interfaces: Lessons from urban food governance spaces,
Environmental Science & Policy,
Volume 161,
2024,
103883,
ISSN 1462-9011,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103883.
Ana Moragues-Faus, Jill K. Clark, Jane Battersby, Anna R. Davies,
The potential of urban food governance to transform lives, cities, and the planet,
Global Food Security,
Volume 40,
2024,
100751,
Oliveira, R. FoodLink—A Network for Driving Food
Transition in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Land 2022, 11, 2047. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112047
ISSN 2211-9124,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2024.100751.
| Keywords | Food Policy Networks; Urban Food Governance; Mediteranean context |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
