Tackling the Challenge of Inclusive Cities from an Urban Food Perspective

Abstract

This paper focuses on food as a case study to understand issues of inclusivity in cities. More specifically, we focus on the process of food production, distribution, consumption, and sharing in the city of Leuven. Most urban spaces encompass material and discursive practices that influence differing rights and abilities to engage in the urban food chain. In this study, we initially used constellation mapping to identify relevant actors and conducted a follow-up field study to generate an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and processes of inclusion and exclusion linked to the urban food chain in the city of Leuven. We collected data from multiple stakeholders using interviews and field obser vations. Iterative analysis was conducted using a within and cross-case approach. Based on our findings, we propose three solutions to stimulate inclusivity through the concept of food: closing the knowledge gap, removing social stigma from the distribution process and optimising the supply chain. These are influenced by the idea that we enter the food chain not only as consumers and distributors, but also as social beings invited into the food chain and working towards inclusivity through our own personal acts of solidarity.