Explorations of inclusive food metabolisms in Cape Town, South Africa
Date
2021-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inwoners van lae- en middelklas gemeenskappe in Kaapstad toon volgens verslaggewing ‘n hoë las van kroniese nie-oordraagbare siektes en dieët verwante siektes. Die doel van hierdie studie is om Kaapstad se voedselsisteem te bestudeer deur die lens van verstedelikingsmetabolisme (VM). VM se fokus is om vas te stel hoe materiaal, energie en voedingnutriente invloei, uitvloei en aanbly in stede om sodoende die omgewings voetspoor te bepaal. Verder ondersoek VM hoe verstedelikings bronne beïnvloed word deur sosiale, politieke en ekonomiese trekkragte. Die bevindings van hierdie studie is dat ‘n metaboliese benadering tot voedselsisteme kan help om ‘n ryker hoeveelheid data te genereer op die beweging van voedsel. Dit kan lei tot algehele verbetering van publieke en omgewings gesondheid. ‘n Aanbeveling van hierdie studie is dat ‘n VM benadering tot voedselsisteme kan bydra tot sosiale en omgewings inklusiewe voedselsisteme. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is gebruik om data in te samel oor voedsel vloei, insluitend onderhoude met 14 uiteenlopende voedselsisteem deelnemers van Kaapstad. Onderhoude is met deelnemers gevoer deur middel van Zoom; opgeneem, getranskribeer en tematies ontleed.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Communities in low- and middle-income communities in Cape Town are reported to experience a high burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and diet-related diseases. Urban metabolism (UM) studies focus on how materials, energy and nutrients flow in, out and remain embedded within cities to understand their environmental footprints. More so, UM explores how urban resources are influenced by social, political and economic forces. The objective of this study is to examine Cape Town’s food system using a lens of UM. The findings of this study are that a metabolic approach to food systems can help generate richer data on food flows. This can lead to overall improvements in public and environmental health. Another key finding is that schools play a crucial role in achieving food security and are significant sites of sustainable food systems transformation. A recommendation of this study is that an urban metabolism approach to food systems can help build socially and environmentally inclusive food systems. Qualitative research methods were used to gather data on food flows, including interviews with 14 diverse food system participants from Cape Town. The interviews were conducted on Zoom, recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Communities in low- and middle-income communities in Cape Town are reported to experience a high burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and diet-related diseases. Urban metabolism (UM) studies focus on how materials, energy and nutrients flow in, out and remain embedded within cities to understand their environmental footprints. More so, UM explores how urban resources are influenced by social, political and economic forces. The objective of this study is to examine Cape Town’s food system using a lens of UM. The findings of this study are that a metabolic approach to food systems can help generate richer data on food flows. This can lead to overall improvements in public and environmental health. Another key finding is that schools play a crucial role in achieving food security and are significant sites of sustainable food systems transformation. A recommendation of this study is that an urban metabolism approach to food systems can help build socially and environmentally inclusive food systems. Qualitative research methods were used to gather data on food flows, including interviews with 14 diverse food system participants from Cape Town. The interviews were conducted on Zoom, recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.
Description
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Food supply -- Cape Town (South Africa), Food security -- South Africa -- Cape Town (South Africa), Households -- Economic aspects -- Cape Town (South Africa), Cape Town (South Africa) -- Economic conditions, Cape Town (South Africa) -- Social conditions, UCTD