TMG Think Tank for Sustainability

Urban Food Futures

Rethinking the urban-food nexus for more inclusive and resilient urban futures

Rapid, and largely unplanned urban expansion adds to the multiplicity of existing challenges linked to growing economic and social inequality in Africa. These are manifested in inadequate access to adequate and nutritious food for the majority of urban residents, which is in large part linked to the lack of inclusive policy and governance structures that safeguard the fundamental rights of all citizens.

This transdisciplinary action-research programme is primarily implemented in Nairobi and Cape Town, with additional case studies in selected African cities. By working closely with, and building on the knowledge and perspectives of local communities in the respective research sites, we aim to re-envision the urban-food nexus towards more inclusive and resilient futures.

Ultimately, we aim to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and especially SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG17 (partnerships for the goals).

The Megatrend Concept and Reflections on it

Article

The Megatrend Concept and Reflections on it

An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme reflecting on the concept of megatrends as an approach to address the transformation of African urban and food systems

Written by Gareth Haysom, Nicole Paganini

Published on Sep 20, 2023

Culinary Canvas: Exploring Intersectionality and Crises through Cape Town's Feminist Flavors

Article

Culinary Canvas: Exploring Intersectionality and Crises through Cape Town's Feminist Flavors

An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme analysing the role of social capital in building resilience against polycrises from a gender perspective.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan

Published on Sep 20, 2023

The Right to Food in South Africa and Kenya

Article

The Right to Food in South Africa and Kenya

An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme examining the Right to Food policy implementation in South Africa and Kenya as a response to persistent food insecurity

Written by Lena Bassermann, Thembeka Sikobi

Published on Sep 20, 2023

Getting the story right and telling it well

Article

Getting the story right and telling it well

This Chapter featured in "Writing Together" published by transcript Verlag, authored by Nicole Paganini & Sanelisiwe Nyaba (Mimi), explores the decolonization of research & academic writing through storytelling and collaborative writing.

Written by Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Nicole Paganini

Published on Sep 20, 2023

Verskillende we ë om stedelike voedselstelsels te transformeer

Report

Verskillende we ë om stedelike voedselstelsels te transformeer

Geleidelik besef die reg op voedsel deur 'n versterkte informele sektor.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

Iindlela zokutshintsha imisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini

Report

Iindlela zokutshintsha imisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini

Ndaphelelela ukufinyelela ingxaki yokutya ngokungathengi ngokulawulo ngokuzimele.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

    • The Face of Hunger

      The Face of Hunger

      The Face of Hunger was produced by TMG’s partner organization Food Agency Cape Town and featured during a panel discussion.

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TMG Think Tank for Sustainability consists of TMG Research gGmbH, an independent, non-partisan, non-for-profit organization registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 186018 B, USt.-ID: DE311653675) and TMG - Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner GmbH, a private company registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 177576 B USt.-ID: DE306832549).

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