Transforming urban food systems
About this expertise
In short- UrbanFST approach
- Systemic analysis
- Strategic guidance
- Building partnerships for co-creation
- Pathways for change
As a consequence of global urbanisation, cities are increasingly involved in shaping the future of food systems. Wageningen University & Research supports cities, metropolitan regions, governments and development organisations to make urban food systems more sustainable, safe, inclusive and resilient.
Through our Urban Food System Transformation (UrbanFST) approach, WUR helps cities move from fragmented food initiatives to integrated, long-term transformation. We use mixed methods research such as trend analysis, modelling, participatory foresight, policy support and stakeholder engagement to assess food system performance. We identify trade-offs and leverage points, and co-design investment, innovation and governance strategies.
Our approach connects local interventions and partnerships to national policies and development agendas, while linking food system transformation to wider urban challenges such as public health, climate resilience, circularity and local economic development. Our key areas of expertise include food system governance, partnerships, food loss and waste, food safety, social inequalities in food access and urban and peri-urban food production.
Our work spans Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. For example, in the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh, WUR worked with city corporations, FAO and the Dutch Embassy to model future scenarios, assess risks and opportunities and contribute to the Dhaka Food Agenda 2041.
- Support for Modelling, Planning and Improving Dhaka's Food System
- Food Trails - Milan Urban Food Policy Pact
- INtegrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable city region FOOD systems in Africa (INCiTiS-FOOD)
- NOURICITY - Healthy Diets and Nutrition in Urban African Food Systems
- SHiFT (Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation), Better Diets & Nutrition
Wageningen University & Research is one of the founding academic partners of the Amsterdam Institute of Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute). Since 2014, AMS has been developing integrated solutions for complex urban challenges, especially in the city of Amsterdam.
More about Metropolitan Food Systems at AMS Institute.
From 2020 to 2026, Professor Eveline van Leeuwen of the Urban Economics group was Scientific director of AMS, As of June 2026, she has been succeeded by Professor Dave Huitema, of the Public Administration and Policy group. Several of AMS’ Principal Investigators are WUR food systems experts.
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