Enhancing integration of local food systems into spatial planning in Lusaka, Zambia.

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Date
2024
Authors
Kaulule, Chongo
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Most sub-Saharan African cities face a lack of cogent integration and consideration of food systems (FS) in spatial planning. This has exacerbated the ongoing food insecurity in urban regions. This exigent situation calls for the integration of food systems into spatial planning. In Zambia, the proposed Lusaka City Region Food System (LCRFS) can aid the inclusion of Food systems in spatial planning. Unfortunately, in the global south, systems for food production, distribution, and processes are at odds with spatial planning. This is because they have been approached as parallels instead of different sides of the same coin. This research has developed a framework that will serve as a roadmap for improving how food systems are integrated into spatial planning. The next step involved the evaluation of the food systems in Lusaka, which was done in two phases. The first phase was to determine the city's level of food security from three residential areas: Chazanga, Mtendere East, and Kalikiliki. The second phase evaluated the sources of various foods from within the LCRFS to address the characteristics of spatial planning and the food system for Lusaka. This was done by conducting 1500 farm surveys of fresh foods within the LCRFS and 75 traders from certain markets were selected. The nexus between spatial planning and food systems was identified by evaluating existing connections, strengths, and weaknesses of this nexus, and how the existing policies address both formal and informal actors. Thematic analysis was used to assess the study's qualitative components and univalent analysis for quantitative components. The pragmatism philosophical approach was used to operationalize the integration of food systems in spatial planning and a case study was employed for Lusaka city. This was accomplished by first conducting a critical analysis of Lusaka's spatial planning environment, supplemented by key informant interviews with five snowball-selected individuals who had knowledge of Lusaka's historical development and considered the personnel of the Lusaka City Council (LCC). An embedded mixed method was possible with this method. The flux of processes, experiences, and practices served as the foundation for the ontological assumption. The epistemological presumptions were centred on the practices and applicability in real-world situations. The theoretical framework is interdisciplinary and is influenced by several sources in spatial planning, including normative and substantive planning theories, knowledge co-production, and city food region systems. The results show that many methods have been employed to reduce food insecurity in urban areas and informal settlements. Some of the strategies are the production of food in peri-urban areas; the zoning of land for agricultural use in the LCRFS; the provision of water for domestic and agricultural use; the upkeep and construction of roads; and the opening of trading points closer to consumers. However, despite these initiatives, there is still a lack of a defined framework for proactively integrating food systems into spatial planning and a weak integration of these techniques. Furthermore, the study established that both formal and informal food sources play a critical role in ensuring food security in Lusaka. The use of a modernistic approach in governing spatial planning visa food systems in Lusaka was centre as such, contributing to the continued loss of agricultural land both in the city and surrounding districts that constitute the proposed LCRFS. Some of the recommendations provided include collaboration; the development of larger markets; the encouragement of backyard gardening; and the rerouting and improvement of road networks from agricultural areas. The study concluded that various legal frameworks that speak to spatial planning and food systems are in silos and that planning professionals have neglected the issue of food. The implications of the findings call for a robust involvement of all stakeholders. There is a need to examine the current planning legislation applicable to the local context in tandem with the problems being experienced. The following papers have since been published; “Food Insecurity in Informal Settlements of Lusaka: Spatial Planning as the Missing Link” and “Situation Analysis of Provider and Consumer in the Food System Concept of Sub-Saharan Africa with spatial planning taking centre stage: Some insights from Zambia.
Description
Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography-Spatial Planning.
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::FORESTRY, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES and LANDSCAPE PLANNING::Product science::Food science , Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY::Chemical engineering::Food technology
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