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).

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

Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation

Pathways to transform urban food systems

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

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

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

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

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