I was aware of issues of food inequity from a young age but it wasn’t until living in Philadelphia in 2008 that I could connect dots on issues of urbanism, class, race, space, historic segregation, privilege, and proximity.
I lived on the fringes of a ‘comfortable’ inner city neighborhood, positively rich with many amenities. Nearly every block had multiple eateries, bodegas, cafes, bars, small grocers, and more. You were never more than a short walk to find something of substance to eat. My preferred grocery store was about half an American mile – approximately 0.8 km. It was not only near but affordable too- important for me, fresh out of grad school, living alone on a budget, and working a few different jobs.
One of those jobs was in a ‘marginalized’ urban community. I was aware of issues of equity, it was obvious right when I got off the bus to go to work, noticing the poorer quality of sidewalks (Pedestrian Space had not been born yet but I’ve been thinking about walkability for decades…) and general decline and lack of investment in the built environment and public spaces.
I also remember noticing at the time how this neighborhood had an absolute dearth of amenities. From the school I worked at, one could walk blocks in any direction and not encounter a single eatery or small grocer.
There is a rich and important body of research on food deserts, importantly reframed as ‘food apartheid’ (https://www.guernicamag.com/karen-washington-its-not-a-food-desert-its-food-apartheid/). Many people have long been the space of advocating for, researching and working for solutions to the injustice of lack of access to even basic food needs in many urban neighborhoods.
My interest in and approach to concepts of ‘proximity planning’, ‘X cities’ (15-minute city, 5-minute city, 20-minute neighborhood etc) has always been rooted in a) lived experience and interest in quality of life for urban dwellers and b) issues of equity. All of these concepts essentially refer to well-planned walkable urbanism with common sense provision of things people need on a regular basis, also keeping in mind that not everyone has the ability or interest to commute long distances for basic groceries, or a health appointment or to take a walk in a nice park.
We have examples of cities that have managed this and are constantly working to improve still. We have ‘best practices’ and living examples to learn from and be inspired by. We also have many situations of growing inequity- spatially, socially, economically – and it’s overlaid with other crises we face such as hazards from a changing climate and effect on our urban ‘habitats’.
It was with issues of spatial equity first and foremost in mind that I approached the Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability on the potential for a special issue: Spatial, Environmental & Social Dimensions of the 15-Minute City.
Looking forward to a diverse set of submissions that thoughtfully approach issues of spatial equity in proximity planning, as well as the environmental, civic and social dimensions explored in the call below. https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/spatial-environmental-social-dimensions-15-minute-city/