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).

News & Blog Posts

Crafting systemic responses to strengthen the informal sector's contribution to food security
News

Crafting systemic responses to strengthen the informal sector's contribution to food security

Highlights of the Urban Food Futures Nairobi Policy Event, 29-30 March 2023
Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation
News

Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation

Nairobi policy event engages policy makers on the critical role of the informal sector in achieving the right to food.
Pathways to transform urban food systems
Publication

Pathways to transform urban food systems

An action research compass for strengthening the informal sector's role in achieving the right to food
Bridging the disconnect between policy intentions and the realities of urban food insecurity
Press Release

Bridging the disconnect between policy intentions and the realities of urban food insecurity

Nairobi policy workshop to bring together key County decision makers with research and civil society actors to agree on how to implement concrete pathways to tackle persistent hunger and related crises of urban poor
Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings
Blog Post

Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings

TMG’s Urban Food Futures programme publishes its scoping report
“Food is not a peculiar challenge in times of crisis. Food is the common crisis”
Blog Post

“Food is not a peculiar challenge in times of crisis. Food is the common crisis”

TMG side event at ARFSD 2023 advocates for valorizing the informal sector as a critical lever for transforming food systems across African cities

Publications

Food flows: Building resilience against compound risks  in Nairobi and Cape Town

Report

Food flows: Building resilience against compound risks in Nairobi and Cape Town

Immaculate Edel, Jane Kahwai, Kathrin Krause, Michael Hauser

This working paper reports lessons from studies, field visits, and conversations conducted in Nairobi and Cape Town.

Programme: Nairobi Policy Event

Event Programme

Programme: Nairobi Policy Event

Urban Food Futures team

Recognizing the pivotal role state actors play in urban food systems, the Urban Food Futures programme is hosting a policy event for Nairobi County policy makers, as an important foundational step for the implementation of our action research.

Trading to Eat: How The Informal Economy is Hunger-Proofing Africa’s Cities

Article

Trading to Eat: How The Informal Economy is Hunger-Proofing Africa’s Cities

Luke Metelerkamp

An analysis of the critical role that informal food traders play in bridging the food and nutrition gap in Africa’s low-income urban populations.

What's cooking? Adding critical feminist research to the pot

Working Paper

What's cooking? Adding critical feminist research to the pot

J. Battersby, K. Ben-Zeev, N. Buthelezi, I. Fabricci, M. Fakazi, S. Kiragu-Wissler, Y. Magazi, P. Njoroge, H. Nyaba, S. Nyaba, M. Nyambura, A. Owade, N. Paganini, C. Peters, W. Peukers, P. Silwana, E. Sango, J. Weru

How community kitchens, school feeding programmes and informal savings schemes support communities in time of crises and food insecurity

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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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