Search

The reterritorialisation of agricultural activities (RAA) consists of reinforcing local food production and its diversification activities oriented toward local consumers. RAA helps shape the local food system, which is an increasingly studied topic in the planning field. However, institutional impacts on planning approaches for RAA remain unknown. This study examines this question by comparing land-use and food planning in Dutch and French cases, where France defines food planning via national law and the Netherlands does not. Through analysis of planning documents and semi-structured interviews, we identified planning goals and instruments, and analysed governance models. We then linked these three components to understand institutional impacts. Our empirical findings reveal that regarding planning policies on RAA, there are differences between the two countries in terms of focused action fields, planning instruments, and links between land-use and food planning. Our results show that the dominance of state-local relationships in France and civil society-government relationships in the Netherlands has a significant effect on planning approaches. This study supports the need for an emphasis on institutional design for effective planning for RAA., Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public., Urban Development Management

Worldwide, Indigenous peoples have played a critical role in preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. Historically oppressed by colonial institutions, they are today confronted with detrimental effects of the global food system and increasingly pronounced changes in climate that jeopardise their ability to produce food. In reaction to globalisation, food sovereignty advocates the right of peoples to self-determinate their food and agriculture systems. In an Indigenous context, Indigenous food sovereignty also calls for revitalising Indigenous knowledge and practices. In this research, I investigate how an (Indigenous) food sovereignty approach empowers Indigenous peoples in the face of globalisation and climate change. I conducted semi-structured interviews among 13 local actors in Oaxaca, Mexico. Findings show that sustainable farming and regenerating local food systems enable local actors to reconcile livelihood opportunities with environmental protection, health benefits, social values, and Indigenous cultures revitalisation. Yet, economic limitations and climate change are still compromising their right to food sovereignty., En todo el mundo, los pueblos indígenas han desempeñado un papel fundamental en la preservación de los ecosistemas y la biodiversidad. Históricamente oprimidos por instituciones coloniales, hoy en día se enfrentan a efectos perjudiciales del sistema alimentario mundial y a cambios climáticos cada vez más pronunciados que ponen en peligro su capacidad de producir alimentos. En reacción a la globalización, la soberanía alimentaria defiende el derecho de los pueblos a definir sus sistemas alimentarios y agrícolas. En un contexto indígena, la soberanía alimentaria indígena también reivindica la revitalización de los conocimientos y prácticas indígenas. En ese estudio, investigo cómo un enfoque de soberanía alimentaria (indígena) empodera a los pueblos indígenas frente a la globalización y el cambio climático. Realicé entrevistas semiestructuradas con 13 actores locales en Oaxaca, México. Los resultados muestran que la agricultura sostenible y la regeneración de los sistemas alimentarios locales permiten a actores locales conciliar oportunidades de subsistencia con la protección del medio ambiente, beneficios para la salud, valores sociales y la revitalización de culturas indígenas. Sin embargo, limitaciones económicas y el cambio climático siguen comprometiendo su derecho a la soberanía alimentaria.

An analysis of the context of the primary sector and the food industry has revealed the potential for the development of a comprehensive strategy, which stimulates the production, transformation and consumption of local products, as a tool against climate change and oriented towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, in 2014, the design of the Food Plan of the Biosphere Reserve, with a series of objectives and a roadmap aimed at improving the governance of the Local Food System as a method of production, distribution and consumption closely linked with sustainable growth. One of the main post initiatives underway deals with the search for added value in productions and services, through the creation of a quality label that serves to differentiate our proximity circuits, and connects agriculture with the final consumer, with restaurants and businesses and school canteens., A análise de contexto do sector primario e da industria alimentaria ten revelado a potencialidade para o desenvolvemento dunha estratexia integral, que estimule a produción, transformación e consumo de produtos locais, como ferramenta fronte ao cambio climático e orientada cara os Obxectivos de Desenvolvemento Sostible 2030. Xurde así no ano 2014 o deseño do Plan Alimentario da Reserva de Biosfera, cunha serie de obxectivos e unha folla de ruta dirixidos á mellora da gobernanza do Sistema Alimentario Local como un método de produción, distribución e consumo intimamente ligado co crecemento sostible. Unha das principais iniciativas postas en marcha dentro do Plan Alimentario foi a creación dun distintivo de calidade que sirva para diferenciar as producións locais e potenciar a comercialización en circuítos de proximidade, conectando a agricultura co consumidor final, así como coa restauración e os comedores escolares.

The implications of globalisation of food systems have led to a reconciliation of local food systems in modern times. As the local food systems have started to increase, it can still be seen that the conventional food supply chain is dominating the market. This is derived from the fact that local food systems are often inefficient due to the individualistic nature of the smaller, less complex local food collaborations. Presented solutions to break the inefficiency trend and harvest the benefits of local food systems is to use the efficient restaurant wholesale actor as a "trade vehicle". This, combined with local food networks that unite small-scale farmers and increase the product pool to ensure quantity while adding value to an otherwise homogeneous product by the concept of "local". This could potentially result in more local collaborations and thereby increase local food on the market. By conducting two semi-structured interviews with two of Sweden's largest restaurant wholesalers and analysing the results with conventional content analysis, this study aims to generate more knowledge about the role and participation of restaurant wholesalers in a local food system. Therefore, a comparative case study was conducted to identify the studied cases' differences, similarities, and contrasts. Furthermore, this is achieved through a theoretical perspective involving supply chain and value chain theory, which is developed into a theoretical synthesis based on Chopra & Meindls (2013) theory of finding the strategic fit. This study found that the collaboration between a restaurant wholesaler and local food networks is highly uncertain, whereas the conventional food supply chain is predictable. But also that there are differences in how responsive/efficient the studied restaurant wholesalers act within the same business environment. Finally, it was found that the restaurant wholesaler and local food networks do not directly have a strategic fit. The research questions are d

Food system is complex and encompasses stakeholders from local, regional, and global level. The activities and outcomes of the food system are associated with environmental, economic, and social impacts. Due to the growing population, and urbanization, along with the fact that global food system contributes up to 30% of anthropogenic GHG emission, one of the main contributors to climate change, a sustainable food system that could meet the food demand in the urban areas is in need. Therefore, high-tech urban agriculture (HTUA) that uses advanced technologies and enables food production in a controlled environment is seen as a promising solution, which remains niche in Sweden. This study adopted the sustainable food system approach and used the theory of multi-level perspective (MLP) on sustainability transitions to explore this technology-driven transition and identify the challenges and opportunities in developing HTUA in Sweden. Through the analysis of five Swedish policy documents and interviews with four HTUA initiatives in Stockholm, three main aspects are identified: 1) external context; 2) policy environment; and 3) communication and influence, which are independent but also interconnected. According to the findings, the global environment and Swedish context, such as climatic condition and Swedish consumption, provide HTUA an opportunity to develop. The findings also suggest that though the characteristics of HTUA initiatives and the priorities within the Swedish policy environment have overlapping traits, the policies are not effectively translated into practice and thus making it challengeable to develop HTUA in the long run. Implementing more strict restrictions and regulations on the external price, providing an easier access to urban space, simplifying the procedure for the financial support, raising public awareness towards HTUA, and bridging the knowledge gap among all stakeholders through collaborations and partnerships are suggested to reduce the ri

Food system is complex and encompasses stakeholders from local, regional, and global level. The activities and outcomes of the food system are associated with environmental, economic, and social impacts. Due to the growing population, and urbanization, along with the fact that global food system contributes up to 30% of anthropogenic GHG emission, one of the main contributors to climate change, a sustainable food system that could meet the food demand in the urban areas is in need. Therefore, high-tech urban agriculture (HTUA) that uses advanced technologies and enables food production in a controlled environment is seen as a promising solution, which remains niche in Sweden. This study adopted the sustainable food system approach and used the theory of multi-level perspective (MLP) on sustainability transitions to explore this technology-driven transition and identify the challenges and opportunities in developing HTUA in Sweden. Through the analysis of five Swedish policy documents and interviews with four HTUA initiatives in Stockholm, three main aspects are identified: 1) external context; 2) policy environment; and 3) communication and influence, which are independent but also interconnected. According to the findings, the global environment and Swedish context, such as climatic condition and Swedish consumption, provide HTUA an opportunity to develop. The findings also suggest that though the characteristics of HTUA initiatives and the priorities within the Swedish policy environment have overlapping traits, the policies are not effectively translated into practice and thus making it challengeable to develop HTUA in the long run. Implementing more strict restrictions and regulations on the external price, providing an easier access to urban space, simplifying the procedure for the financial support, raising public awareness towards HTUA, and bridging the knowledge gap among all stakeholders through collaborations and partnerships are suggested to reduce the ri

Local food systems (LFS) connect producers and consumers in a geographically restricted food supply chain. Local food advocates argue that limiting the spatial scope of food systems can help to address the sustainability challenges present in the global food system. LFS are argued to eliminate intermediaries, enable clear product provenance, encourage community interactions, and involve few food miles. LFS are growing in Sweden, where the government launched a National Food Strategy in 2016, which among other aims promotes the proliferation of local food. This study aims to understand why several farmers from Uppland, central Sweden engage in local selling and whether concerns about sustainability influence the choice of selling channels among them. Using on-farm, semi-structured interviews with the farmers, this research explores three research questions concerning: (1) farmer motives for engaging in local selling channels, (2) factors constraining farmer involvement in LFS, and (3) farmer perceptions on the future of local selling channels. The overall purpose of this research is to provide a critical perspective on local selling as a sustainable food system solution. The study reveals a wide range of motives, including economic advantages from responding to consumer demand and cutting out middlemen, price premiums, more customer interactions, job satisfaction, and proximity to markets. Various economic and personal constraints limit the farmers’ use of local selling channels. Such constraints include seasonality of produce, performing time-consuming middlemen tasks, limited access to essential infrastructure, low transport load utilisation, and individual reasons for not wanting to up-scale local production. The results indicate that better access to on-farm or nearby infrastructure, improved small-scale efficiency, increasing food prices for consumers, changing consumer preferences, more diverse farm products, and better congruency between government objectives

Local food systems (LFS) connect producers and consumers in a geographically restricted food supply chain. Local food advocates argue that limiting the spatial scope of food systems can help to address the sustainability challenges present in the global food system. LFS are argued to eliminate intermediaries, enable clear product provenance, encourage community interactions, and involve few food miles. LFS are growing in Sweden, where the government launched a National Food Strategy in 2016, which among other aims promotes the proliferation of local food. This study aims to understand why several farmers from Uppland, central Sweden engage in local selling and whether concerns about sustainability influence the choice of selling channels among them. Using on-farm, semi-structured interviews with the farmers, this research explores three research questions concerning: (1) farmer motives for engaging in local selling channels, (2) factors constraining farmer involvement in LFS, and (3) farmer perceptions on the future of local selling channels. The overall purpose of this research is to provide a critical perspective on local selling as a sustainable food system solution. The study reveals a wide range of motives, including economic advantages from responding to consumer demand and cutting out middlemen, price premiums, more customer interactions, job satisfaction, and proximity to markets. Various economic and personal constraints limit the farmers’ use of local selling channels. Such constraints include seasonality of produce, performing time-consuming middlemen tasks, limited access to essential infrastructure, low transport load utilisation, and individual reasons for not wanting to up-scale local production. The results indicate that better access to on-farm or nearby infrastructure, improved small-scale efficiency, increasing food prices for consumers, changing consumer preferences, more diverse farm products, and better congruency between government objectives

Food has become one of the arena of new conflicts around justice and sustainability. Especially in US, race and class are influencing food policy, production, distribution and consumption. The article presents the case of the black and low-income neighborhood of Dudley Street in Boston, that is creating a community residents-driven food system respectful of its members’ race and culture

Alternative food systems have grown increasingly for the last 20 years and are seen as a reaction to the distant relationship between consumers and the origin of food. The discussion about shorter food systems and short food supply chains (SFSCs) raises the question about finding alternative ways to organize around food systems. In recent years the use of digital ordering systems for buying food has increased in combination with the increased interest of the consumption of locally produced food. In Sweden the virtual food platform REKO-rings is growing, which connect consumers and producers both interested in selling and buying locally produced food using Facebook groups. The master thesis has a dual aim that at one side describes the development and organization of REKO-rings and on the other hand contribute to the understanding of the motives and underpinning values producers and consumers ascribe REKO-rings in Sweden. Based on those purposes I wanted to discuss the potential of REKO-rings to contribute towards alternative ways of distributing food in Sweden. The study used a mixed method approach combination with both qualitative and quantitative features, using an online survey and interviews with nine different REKO-rings in Sweden. The result showed that the number of members was increasing quickly. Throughout the time of the data gathering (ca 2 months) the member share increased from 78,461 members to 92,487 members, an increase of 18 % with five new REKO-rings. It also showed that REKO-rings were an easy way to connect local businesses and consumers using a flexible and social platform of communication. The result demonstrated that REKO-rings strengthen local communities and satisfy consumers and many different types of farmers, ranging from hobby farmers to full-time farmers. The virtual food platform of REKO-rings has the possibility to grow into an extensive social movement with prospects to challenge present conventional food systems., Utvecklingen av alternativa livsmedelssystem har ökat kraftigt de senaste 20 åren, som kan ses som en motreaktion till komplexa och industriella matsystem. Diskussionen om lokala matsystem och korta livsmedelskedjor (SFSCs) väcker frågan om att hitta alternativa sätt att organisera matproduktion. Under de senaste åren har användningen av digitala beställningssystem för att köpa mat ökat, samtidigt som intresset av att köpa lokalt producerad mat expanderat. I Sverige växer den virtuella matplattformen REKO-ringar, som använder Facebookgrupper för att förena konsumenter och producenter att köpa och sälja lokalproducerad mat. Den här magisteruppsatsen genomfördes som en kombinerad kvantitativ och kvalitativ studie. Syftet med studien var att å ena sidan beskriva utvecklingen och organisationen av REKO-ringar och å andra sidan utforska de motiv och underliggande värderingar som producenter och konsumenter tillskriver REKO-ringar. Baserat på dessa syften ville jag diskutera REKOringarnas potential för att bidra till alternativa sätt att distribuera mat i Sverige. Resultatet visade att antalet medlemmar i REKO-ringarna ökar snabbt. Under tiden studien utfördes (ca 2 månader) ökade medlemmens andel från 78 461 medlemmar till 92 487 medlemmar, en ökning med 18% och fem nya REKO-ringar tillkom. REKO-ringar var ett nytt och enkelt sätt att sälja och köpa närproducerade produkter. REKO-ringar inkluderade ett brett spektrum av typer av producenter i olika storlekar, från hobbyodlare till heltidsbönder. Konsumenterna upplevde en tydlig nytta med plattformen då den kopplade samman producenter och konsumenter på ett sätt som bidrog till att stötta lokala företag och därigenom stärka det lokala samhället. Den virtuella matplattformen REKO-ringar, har möjlighet att växa till en omfattande social rörelse som kan utmana nuvarande konventionella matsystem.

Scaling up local organic food systems may be one way to render the overall food system more environmentally friendly and socially just. This paper focuses on an Austrian organic box scheme, specifically on how its relationship with local farmers is experienced in a process of growth. For data collection, we carried out semi-structured interviews with 19 supplying farmers and conducted a focus group discussion with 11 members of the management staff of the box scheme company. We explore the question: how did the growth of the box scheme influence relationships between supplying farmers and the box scheme in this local organic food system – from the farmers’ perspective as well as from the perspective of the box scheme company itself? A major challenge for the box scheme was reconciling its values (e.g. supporting many local organic farms) with practical issues such as logistics and coordination. The box scheme managed its growth by strengthening cooperation with two larger vegetable farms/wholesalers. But its support for diverse local organic farms suffered in this process, and the box scheme was still searching for solutions to efficiently interact with such a high number of suppliers. Having a high number of local producers was central to the box scheme's identity; therefore, internal governance structures needed refinement and reflection. The tension between specific qualities such as procurement from a multitude of local farmers on the one hand, and practical economical and logistical considerations on the other lies at the heart of the experience of scaling up local organic food systems., QC 20170817

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271). This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Although there are many local food initiatives budding across the globe to support localization of the food system, they face major barriers operating in the mainstream food system. There is an existing literature highlighting barriers with suggested policies to overcome them. However there is little literature on unique barriers in Southern Alberta. This thesis explores characteristics of Southern Alberta that might inhibit operations of local food initiatives in this region through an intensive case study of a local food cooperative operating in Fort Macleod, Alberta. A comparison is then made with barriers in different cities of Alberta, Canada, and USA as discussed in literature. Policy implications, actionable by governments and local food initiatives’ management, are drawn from the findings.

Within the Central New Mexico regional foodshed (i.e. within a 300 mile radius of Albuquerque), many women are working within the local food system to help locally grown food go from farm to fork. In certain roles, women predominate. In others, women are less represented. Women participating in the local food system provided their insights and expertise on how gender affects their own participation, as well as their perceptions of the gender division of labor within the local food system. Through this exploration, eleven women co-participants of this study found that regardless of the role, there are challenges based on gender. However, for certain roles, especially the ones that require access to resources like capital and land, women are particularly challenged to succeed. These co-participants observe that women tend to cooperate to succeed within their roles, and believe that increasing opportunities and space available for women to deliberately share knowledge will increase women’s capacity to participate in local food system roles. Future inquiry efforts should address the identified obstacles, and also include co-participants with subject positions more representative of the general population in New Mexico.

Small and medium-sized farms are an important demographic of the agricultural sector in the Shenandoah Valley and Chesapeake Bay watershed. Having sufficient food system infrastructure available and accessible to these farm operations is essential to help them add value to their farm products; diversify their operations and differentiate their farm and food products in an increasingly competitive and commodity-based food system. Despite its importance, however, local food systems (LFS) frequently have incorrect types or insufficient amounts of the equipment and facilities needed to support these systems. Through the use of two case studies, this study investigates current circumstances, future needs, and offers recommendations for two important components of LFS infrastructure in the Shenandoah Valley. The first study inventories and assesses existing infrastructure capacity available in the region. Using data collected from farmers, LFS organizations, and institutional foodservice organizations, a needs assessment is then completed to determine the specific amounts and types of equipment and facilities which would be needed to meet current LFS infrastructure needs. The second study explores current and potential benefits, and future challenges of a produce auction to impact Mennonite communities in the Shenandoah Valley. This analysis of the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction (SVPA) was conducted using data obtained from both interviews and surveys. Results indicate that producers, existing infrastructure, and institutional buyers in the region would like to own, use, or rent food system infrastructure. There is unmet LFS infrastructure demand in due to the current lack of enough food cleaning, processing, packaging, and storing equipment in this area. For the SVPA, most of participants were satisfied with the auction. Buyers, however, reported that their procurement from the SVPA is limited by fluctuating prices, demand outpacing supply of produce, insufficient del

Local food production movements have claimed a central role in proposals to mitigate some of the negative effects of economic globalization. Although not meant to be a panacea for the ills of the neoliberal order, local food production is advocated as a sustainable solution to a portion of the environmental degradation caused by global capitalism, and as a mechanism by which to rebuild community networks undermined by the globalization of commerce and culture and create the type of sustainable development necessary to restore and preserve the carrying capacity of the planet. This study seeks to develop a conceptual framework for assessing the potential for communities to create and sustain local food production by addressing three major factors that influence a community's ability to localize its food system: the physical capacity of the region or locality to produce enough food to feed its inhabitants, successful policy and trade adjustments by governments to create and enable the survival of local food production systems, and the willingness of consumers to participate in a localized food production system, which includes the community's willingness and ability to bear the costs of instituting and maintaining the local system.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.

There is an interest towards strengthening the local food system on North Shore, BC. This research addresses several community-based projects of the North Shore: food distribution by local agricultural producers, sustainable food growing and harvesting, and also education and/or advocacy. It concentrates, in particular, on identifying the success factors of these local food initiatives by performing a qualitative analysis through participant observation, interviews and literature analysis. Initial research finds several barriers local community-based food initiatives might face. They are related to a lack of access, lack of resources, poor governance structures, poor information sharing and uncooperative relationships between local food actors. I argue that although these barriers exist, there are certain favorable outcomes associated with these attempts to create a sustainable food system in North Shore, BC. Identifying these success factors will allow me to further develop recommendations to help improve present initiatives and to develop future ones. Recommendations for municipal governments, food system advocates, entrepreneurs, farmers and other interested parties are made at the end of this research.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.

Cieľom práce je vytvorenie životaschopného, prosperujúceho regiónu Jaroslavice z hľadiska potravinovej produkcie. Práca sa zaoberá skrátením produkčných väziem, podporou malovýroby a regionálneho trhu. Návrh podrobne rozpracováva stavbu Regionálneho potravinového centra, ktoré je zamerané na spracovanie ovocia z regiónu. Táto oblasť je mimoriadne úrodná s veľkým podielom poľnohospodárky obrobitelnej pôdya vhodnými podmienkami pre ovocinárstvo. Hlavnými druhmi pestovaného ovocia sú jablká, marhule, broskyne. Centrum má tri hlavné funkčné náplne – spracovanie, skladovanie a predaj regionálnych potravín., The main aim of my thesis is to create sustainable local food production in Jaroslavice region. This region is situated near the Austria – Czechia border. The political changes of previous century influenced this rural location a lot. Changes resulted in socioeconomic degradation of this area. My project tends to shorten production connections between producers and consumers. It also takes the part with local farmers and farmer´s market. My architecture proposal is a building of regional food center focused on fruit production. The main fruits are apples, apricots and pitches according to the local climate conditions. The center has three main parts – processing, storage and retail.