Focusing on food systems to make cities sustainable and resilient

Urbanization and agriculture evolved together, but as cities grew, so did the distance between urban populations and the farms they depend on, increasing the risk of food insecurity and the cost and carbon footprint of every calorie. At the same time, nutritious food is a luxury for many urbanites, and the COVID pandemic, conflicts and other crises have made matters worse.

Such dilemmas will likely intensify as urbanization advances, as two thirds of the global population are expected be urban by 2050, creating both challenges and opportunities.