Rebuilding Food Systems

The struggle for food resulted in the decisive step for humans to move from hunter and gathering systems to agriculture, which in turn gave birth to constructed settlements and the beginning of the city. Over time we have developed a complicated and contradictory relationship with food. While it’s a defining element of the diverse cultures across the world and a source of great pleasure—a delicious meal is a perfect excuse to enjoy the company of family and friends—how and where it is produced greatly contributes to the growing crises of chronic hunger and obesity, as well as climate change and biodiversity loss. We must aim for a transformation in food production and food systems to more rational systems across the globe, a process in which architects, urbanists, designers and engineers will have an active role.