Economic Geography Research

Economic Geography Research

Strategic Planning for Urban Sustainable Food Security (Case Study: Rasht City)

Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis

Authors
Yaser Gholipour 1
Mohsen Ahadnejad Reveshty 2
Aboulfazl Meshkini 3
Nader Zali 4
1 PhD in Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan , Zanjan, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan , Zanjan, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Art, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
10.30470/jegr.2025.2045363.1240
Abstract
Urbanization has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, giving rise to a myriad of issues in both developing and developed countries. Ensuring food security for urban dwellers has become a paramount concern. Food security is achieved when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. To attain sustainable food security, comprehensive strategies must be developed that align with the principles of food systems.This study aims to formulate strategies for sustainable urban food security in Rasht city, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and the Delphi method. The SWOT and QSPM analytical models were employed to rank the strategies. Findings reveal that Rasht’s food system should prioritize both adaptive (WO) and aggressive (SO) strategies. Three adaptive strategies were identified: promoting organic, local, and culturally appropriate food production; empowering marginalized groups through education, policy, and housing initiatives; and emphasizing the region’s unique capabilities through a specialized approach. Moreover, three aggressive strategies were prioritized: managing Rasht’s food system based on a hybrid governance approach, fostering collaboration among all stakeholders in food system decision-making, and integrating food system management with energy, water, and land considerations. In conclusion, sustainable food security is a complex and multifaceted concept that necessitates a holistic perspective. The added dimension of urban context further complicates this issue. Strategic planning, as a structured and forward-looking approach, can be a powerful tool in achieving sustainable food security.
Keywords
Strategic Planning, Food Security, Urban Sustainability, Rasht

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Economic Geography Research
Volume 6, Issue 21
Autumn 2025
Pages 100-123

  • Receive Date 09 November 2024
  • Revise Date 14 January 2025
  • Accept Date 20 January 2025