Urban food security, urban resilience and climate change - weADAPT

ABSTRACTFood security is increasingly recognised as a problem in developed countries likeAustralia as well as in developing countries of the global south, and as a problemfacing cities and urban populations in these countries. Despite producing more foodthan is consumed in Australia, certain groups in particular, places are finding itincreasingly difficult to access nutritious and healthy food at affordable prices.Moreover, whole urban populations have found their food supply lines severelycompromised by major disasters such as floods and cyclones which are expected tohave greater impacts as the climate changes.This changing landscape of food production, distribution and consumption has drawnattention to the nature of contemporary urban food systems in general and to thesecurity and resilience of urban food systems in particular. This has in turn highlightedthe extent of urban agriculture and its potential to play a greater role in strengtheningthe food security of Australian cities and building urban resilience in a changingclimate.This report presents the results of a synthesis and integrative research project thatexplored these issues through a critical review of relevant literature and case studyresearch in two cities. It had three main aims:1. to increase our knowledge of the current extent of urban agriculture in Australiancities;2. to review its capacity to play a more prominent role in enhancing urban foodsecurity and urban resilience and;3. to assess the impacts of climate change on the capacity of urban agriculture toenhance food security and urban resilience.The research provides much needed up-to-date information on the extent of currenturban agricultural practices, a critical review of good practice in Australia and beyondand an analysis of the opportunities and barriers to the expansion of these practices,especially in the face of climate change.Urban food security, urban resilience and climate change ii