Bogotá Foodscape Strategy

More than 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. If we are to change the trajectory of the disease, a clinical response is essential but not enough. We must turn our imagination towards social factors and cultural determinants to design new and different interventions

- ‘Urban Diabetes, Understanding the challenges and opportunities ‘ Cities Changing Diabetes.

This foodscape study starts with two simple questions: what is the relationship between the food system and the urban environment, and how might we achieve a positive dietary shift at the neighborhood level through local interventions and strategies? This report is the culmination of a seven-month collaboration with Cities Changing Diabetes (CCD) and three of their network cities - Bogota, Houston and Philadelphia.

We found that there is a strong correlation between the built environment and urban systems on people’s everyday food consumption. Urban systems provide different levels of choice, access, transit connectivity, civic participation and enjoyment. The urban system is intrinsically linked to the food system, as it also contributes to a societally recognized food culture, the visibility of demand, and the diversity of food offerings available to people.

Six pillars for building a Healthy Foodscape

SAFE ROUTES Cluster food along key routes to create attractive meeting places for the community and safe destinations at night

IDENTITY Create an identity around food by adapting traditional recipes, supporting entrepreneurs and promoting culinary rituals

FOOD CULTURE Intensify healthy food where it matters most — at public transportation and in public spaces

FOOD PLACES Increase support for corner stores through “cashless” payments, land use planning and leverage their essential role in the community

DAILY RHYTHMS Fit into daily routines with a night market when and where people commute from work to home

DELIVERIES Expand micro-mobility options for an easier way to carry groceries home and reduce the middle men along the supply chain