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MSc Thesis AMS Institute - Bottom-up modelling of urban food-systems and their environmental impacts

MADE Student Project

The aim of this research is to explore the bottom-up modelling approach for consumption-based accounting of urban food consumption. Almere is used as a case-study to explore how a robust bottom-up model can be designed. Hereby, the study aims to contribute to the debate on suitable modelling approach and the otherwise lack of urban food-systems studies.
Lastly, it aims to provide recommendations for Almere to develop sustainability strategies. The hybrid UM-LCA method is utilized to develop a bottom-up model for Almere. The associated food-system is modelled around dietary data. Primary data acquisition on the food purchasing behaviour of the citizens of Almere was done by means of a survey (N=663).

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The current food-system is highly unsustainable as it is responsible for up to 50% of all anthropogenic environmental pressure. Therefore, there is a need to transform the current food-system, in particular the demand-side. Cities form the agglomeration of food consumption with limited capacity for food production. Addressing urban consumption and the inherent environmental impacts are considered key factors for climate change mitigation. In order to develop sustainability strategies for a city, a baseline assessment of urban food consumption and environmental impacts is required. A bottom-up approach is suggested to be suitable for consumption-based accounting of urban food-systems. However, there is no consensus on this approach nor the implementation of it due to a lack of modelling experience and data on urban food-consumption.

Author: Rianne Stelwagen

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Header image: Smart Urban Mobility

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