Developing approaches to achieve adequate nutrition among urban populations requires an understanding of urban development

• Published in: Global food security 2017-03, Vol.12, p.80-88
• Main Authors: Bloem, S., de Pee, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Equitable growth; Food security; Nutrition; Obesity; Urban development
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2016.09.001

Since 2008 the world has become predominantly urban. By 2050, there will be 2.5 billion more people living in cities and most of these will be in small and medium-size cities in Africa and Asia. These continents are home to high malnutrition rates. Policy makers will need to ensure that food and nutrition security can be achieved by the growing urban populations, including the urban poor, in order for this urban growth to generate equitable economic growth. This paper demonstrates how understanding urban dynamics such as city size, urban infrastructures, and rural-urban linkages are critical for planning for adequate urban nutrition. In particular it highlights the potential strength of strategically investing in medium-size cities as they are more likely to generate equitable growth, including for their surrounding hinterlands, thus strengthening local foods systems and creating better enabling environments for improved urban nutrition through better sanitation infrastructures and increased access to nutritious foods by the urban poor. •Rapid urbanization brings nutrition challenges affecting food access, diet and health.•Urban dynamics such as city size, infrastructure and rural links affect nutrition.•Medium-size cities can generate more equitable growth and better nutrition for the poor.•The fastest growing cities are in Africa and Asia, where malnutrition is most prevalent.•Now is the time to plan city development for better nutrition for its inhabitants.