Food is Urban infographic
How do cities shape food systems, and how do food systems impact the lives, health, and opportunities of urban residents?
Summary
This infographic explores the intersection between urban food systems and city functions, highlighting the interconnected elements that shape how food flows into, through, and out of urban spaces. In African cities, food systems are dynamic, shaped by markets, infrastructure, governance, and social structures, which together impact food access, security, and health. Visualising these overlapping systems emphasises how cities influence food availability, choice, and affordability, and how these factors affect residents’ quality of life and opportunities for growth—especially for youth. Each key element, from street vendors and markets to health services and infrastructure, reveals the critical roles cities play in shaping sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban food systems.
Explore the accompanying factsheet here.
