Towards a Circular Food Landscape in Peri-urban Neighbourhoods

A case study of Brasilândia, a district in São Paulo, Brazil

This research investigates initiatives of agroecology and circularity in the contexts of
social vulnerability in Brasilândia, a peripheral neighbourhood in the northern region
of metropolitan São Paulo, to answer the research question "How to transition informal
and peripheral settlements into healthier and climate resilient neighbourhoods via spatial
strategies linked to urban agroecology?". The study is based on theories of Food Justice and
Food Sovereignty, in addition to Community Food Security, Circularity, Agroecology and the
understanding of Socio-technical Transitions towards sustainability.
It is based on the hypothesis that agroecology and circular practices can provide
possibilities of decreasing social inequalities and food insecurity within the context of
peripheral and informal settlements, by generating income; improving the quality of live of
ecological innovators, increase production and access of nutritious food; and also contribute
to preserving the environment and strengthening social resilience. The research identifies
key actors in the local food system - government, civil society organisations, residents,
farmers, and urban innovators - and their roles in the dynamics of local food production.
The methodology involves qualitative research conducted through interviews with the key
actors, in combination with a geo-spatial analysis of the neighbourhood of Brasilândia. In
Brasilândia, results show (i) social vulnerability as a major challenge (ii) eco-pedagogic and
therapeutic impacts on ecological innovations (iii) adaptation, technical innovation and
challenges in relation to access to land (iv) the challenges in socio-technical transition in
relation to land-regulation, commercialization and operations of farms and the need to
diversify the sources of income (v) the increase of female role in agroecology, linked to local
entrepreneurship (vi) the urgent need to improve waste management in the area (vi) and
the opportunity of social innovation to achieve circularity and agroecology. The innovation
potential of the territory is explored through a vision for Brasilândia in 2050. A final strategy
recommendation addresses the conflicts and challenges that emerge from the dynamics
established between multiple agents – responding to the goals of the proposed vision