Urbal: A research project
Blay-Palmer A., Valette E., Lepiller O., Di Battista A.. 2024. In : Valette Elodie (ed.), Blay-Palmer Alison (ed.), Intoppa Beatrice (ed.), Di Battista Amanda (ed.), Roudelle Ophélie (ed.), Chaboud Géraldine (ed.). Evaluating sustainable food system innovations: A global toolkit for cities. Abingdon : Routledge, p. 18-35. (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment).
As outlined in Chapter 1, Urbal was developed to help food system practitioners, academics, and policymakers reflect on the impact of their innovations on various dimensions of sustainability. This chapter describes the initial development of the Urbal approach and provides some collective insights from the Urban Food Innovation Labs (UFILs) where the approach was tested and refined. While the process started with the UFILs, we expect the approach to evolve as various places adapt and use Urbal. Given the complexity of the project, shifting timelines, the number and range of participants, the extent of engagement with the concepts, and the place-specific variations from one UFIL to another, each UFIL developed its own unique version of the Urbal approach. As a result, the terms of reference for the Urbal approach shifted and evolved over the course of the 4-year initiative. This chapter outlines the evolution of both the approach and these terms of references. Through the development of Urbal, we also address many related research questions. In particular, there was deep learning from place-based insights, sustainability and food systems dimensions, and innovation, particularly social innovation. This chapter concludes with lessons learned and some insights about future research directions with an emphasis on scaling innovations and the relevance of the Urbal approach for understanding more about sustainable food systems going forward.
Documents associés
Chapitre d'ouvrage
Agents Cirad, auteurs de cette publication :
- Lepiller Olivier — Es / UMR MOISA
- Valette Elodie — Es / UMR ART-DEV
