PhD Project
Background
The global food system plays a central role in shaping both planetary and human health. It is a key driver of environmental degradation – contributing to biodiversity loss, land-system change, and disruptions in nitrogen and phosphorus cycles – and is responsible for up to one-third of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the rise of calorie-dense, ultra-processed diets has fuelled an increase in non-communicable diseases worldwide. Yet despite mounting evidence and policy momentum, meaningful dietary shifts remain slow. Cultural habits, social norms, and unequal access to healthy food continue to hinder transformation.
Aim
This PhD project explores how edible cities – urban areas that integrate diverse forms of food production — can act as catalysts for more sustainable, healthy, and just food systems. Drawing on the idea of social tipping points, the research asks: can these initiatives shift behaviours, influence policies, and trigger broader systemic change in line with planetary boundaries and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Research Objectives
- Urban Food Production: Analyse how edible cities, from community gardens to vertical farms and food tech innovations, improve transparency and reshape local food systems.
- Consumption Trends: Examine the adoption of the Planetary Health Diet, plant-based eating, and the role of social networks – such as schools, neighbourhood initiatives, and grassroots leadership – in shaping dietary habits.
- Policy Integration: Identify pathways for embedding sustainable food systems into urban planning, governance, and climate strategies.
- Conduct comparative case studies in two cities (e.g. Berlin and Copenhagen) to explore opportunities, limitations, and pathways for scaling edible city models.
Methodology
The project follows a multi-method, interdisciplinary approach across three phases:
- Systematic review and framework development (January 2025 – September 2025): A comprehensive literature review will assess the ecological, health, and social impacts of urban food production and support the development of a conceptual framework.
- Expert interviews and action plan formulation (October 2025 – June 2026): Semi-structured interviews with 25–30 stakeholders will inform an action plan for scaling edible city strategies through effective policy and governance.
- Comparative case studies (July 2026 – September 2027): Using surveys, interviews, and participatory modelling, the project will evaluate selected edible city initiatives in selected case studies, examining real-world impacts and scalability.
Expected Contribution
This research advances practical and theoretical understandings of how food-related tipping points might be activated in urban contexts. By bridging insights from policy, accessibility, food technology, leadership, and local agriculture, the project aims to inform more holistic, cross-sector approaches to sustainable food transitions.
Ultimately, the project sees edible cities not just as green infrastructure – but as living laboratories for experimenting with future-ready food systems. They offer tangible ways to promote food security, reduce environmental harm, and support healthier, more resilient urban communities in the Anthropocene.
LandFoodClimateInfrastructure & Energy
