Accessing common land for food:

Prospective policies for local governments

Authors

  • Cecília Delgado Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais (CICS.NOVA), Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4211-0614

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18055/Finis25477

Abstract

Portuguese organic food consumption to meet national individual and institutional demand is swiftly increasing. This demand is a missed opportunity due to lack of land access for farmers. We claim that land availability needs to be taken into consideration centrally in the formulation of local and national food policies. In particular, we suggest: 1) inter-cross coherent policy options regarding land needed to achieve goals; 2) mechanisms to strengthen multi-level and cross sectorial food governance, with a focus on land accessibility for organic food production, in particular vegetables and fruit. Based on the Torres Vedras municipality, as a study case, we conclude that local authorities have a key- role to play as facilitators for land access, primarily by identifying and mapping idle land whether communal, public or private. Results from field visits and interviews with local stakeholders suggest that cooperation across city departments and local stakeholders could spearhead an integrated food policy that would turn idle land into the decisive element of a blooming local food system. In conclusion, any municipality can do this, if there is political willingness to start a collaborative process, within municipalities, to think strategically on how to access land for food.

Based on Torres Vedras municipality, as a study case, we conclude that local authorities have a key-role to play as facilitators for land access, primarily by identifying and mapping idle land either communal, public or private.

Results from field visits and local stakeholders interviews suggest that cooperation across city departments and local stakeholders could spearhead an integrated food policy that would turn idle land into the decisive element of a blooming local food system. In conclusion, any municipality can do this, if there is political willingness to start a collaborative process, within municipalities, to think strategically how to access land for food.

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Author Biography

Cecília Delgado, Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais (CICS.NOVA), Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Cecília Delgado is an urban planner and architect, university professor, and researcher in Public Policy, in the articulation between Territorial Planning, Food Systems and Local Development. Currently, she is a researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT - Transitory Norm - [FCSH001730]) and CICS.NOVA, Interdisciplinary Center of Social Sciences of UNL affiliated.
As part of her research, she has been constructing a critical review of international food policies in collaboration with RUAF, the Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Food Systems.

At the national level she has collaborated with local governments and non-profit organizations. She is co-founder of the Food Sustainable Cities platform created in 2018, a national collective that brings together several actors and sectors of the national food system.
Her publications can be accessed here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cecilia_Delgado5

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Published

2021-12-22

How to Cite

Delgado, C. (2021). Accessing common land for food:: Prospective policies for local governments. Finisterra, 56(118), 131–150. https://doi.org/10.18055/Finis25477

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 118 (2021)

Section

Articles

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