Urban food policies as a tool to promote sustainable food systems. The case study of Belo Horizonte (Brazil)

This thesis builds on the theoretical aspects concerning the complex realm of the food system, its activities, its outcomes and its external drivers. It follows by analysing integrated urban food policies as a tool for cities to guarantee food and nutrition security, food sovereignty and the right to food, thus sustainable food systems. Furthermore, it sheds light on the process of integrated urban food policy-making, its context and its technical outcomes in the form of charters, strategies, plans, councils, among others. This process is guided by different actors and sectors, part of an integrated and systemic governance. This research considers also the interaction of urban food policy with trans-local alliances at the international level, such as the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. The last part of the thesis builds on this theoretical framework, in order to analyse the integrated urban food policy implemented in Belo Horizonte (Brazil), with a focus on food and nutrition security. This case study helps to identify some common enablers, which could help to develop and deliver an integrated urban food policy in another city.