Growing food, feeding change: Towards a holistic and dynamic approach of eco-city planning

Abstract

In response to increasing environmental problems and consciousness in relation to urbanization, more and more cities are trying to become eco-cities. We can question, however, whether these cities can be considered as sustainable cities. The eco-city concept usually includes criteria regarding energy and water consumption, transport, waste management, amount of green spaces, etc. However, food consumed in the cities is usually marginally taken into account. Moreover, implementation strategies necessary to successfully make a transition to sustainability are rarely mentioned. The goals of this paper are twofold. First, we will ask attention for urban agriculture and include food in the eco-city equation. Second, we will argue that eco-cities should not be considered as project but operated as a process.