In this article, they begin by presenting evidence for the
limited presence of the food system on planning’s list of concerns. They
examined the leading journals in planning, texts used to introduce new planners
to the profession, and some classic texts that have extended the boundaries of
planning thought and graduate planning curricula. The author concluded by
offering ideas about what planners could do to contribute to and strengthen
planning for community food systems.
The food systems planning issues has become too complex. Too
many organizations, departments, and agencies all have their hands on this
issues that planners may feel it would be a waste of time to focus on it since
everyone else is focused on this problem.
Another reason why planning agencies have ignored food systems planning
for the community is, because the food systems planning problem has become
industrialized that it has already created their own zones that is on privately
owned property. For example, they have gained so much capital that it has far
removed itself from certain communities and onto the outskirts where big box
grocery stores are created. Also, some planners simply feel that the food
systems’ planning is too much of a social problem and less of a physical
developmental problem. I feel as though the food systems planning issue is so complicated
that it can be viewed as an interdisciplinary problem, where you can use a
combination of specific disciplines to solve this problem, such as political
science, economics, and social science. All in all, after pilling off all the layers to this complex problem, what is the main reason why planners have not focused on food systems planning in the community?
Communication is key. In order to improve our current food system, city planners must communicate with corporations and local government in order to understand how exactly the food system works. Once the planner understands how the local food system is organized, he/she will be able to make the necessary adjustments to improve our food system from everyone's perspective. I realize that this sounds a lot easier than it would actually be, but this is how our food systems should be planned in an ideal world.
ReplyDeleteFood is connected to everything we do, so it can be safe to assume that food systems is holistic and interdisciplinary. For planners, modern methods of planning must evaluate all aspects and constintuents involved in the process, keeping in mind the long and short term effects that decisions can have if they are not thought carefully.
ReplyDeleteFrom this week's readings the authors note that to some extent planners felt as if food systems did not fall onto a specific category, and thus they disregarded it. However, due to the same reason, planners in the past decades also ignored how important it is to connect all sectors where food is involved: private, public, agricultural, urban, etc.
Some of the issues may have been due to lack of knowledge and literature, since the food system was thought to be "functional" but nowadays, in order to achieve sustainability and efficiency, both the physical and social aspects of the planning process must be thought carefully.
For one part, planners have a role as witnesses with expertise to get communities involved in the planning process, and if this is achieved, then citizens are able to identify issues that relate to food and how it can change the way a city, town, or county functions. For future planning, mistakes from the past are crucial to reflect and consider what is most effective in creating a successful, sustainable, and community-empowered food system.