The Regenerative Capacity of Edible Forests for Food Security in Urban Areas
ABout the Author/s
En réponse à l'insécurité alimentaire et à la dégradation de l'environnement causées par l'urbanisation rapide, les villes adoptent de plus en plus de solutions innovantes pour favoriser le développement urbain durable et la résilience. Cette étude examine le rôle des forêts comestibles urbaines dans l'amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire et la régénération des terres urbaines dégradées, en se concentrant sur la ville de Kiambu, au Kenya.
Les forêts comestibles urbaines intègrent des éléments de l'agriculture urbaine et de l'agroforesterie pour créer des paysages régénératifs qui peuvent restaurer la fertilité des sols, améliorer la rétention d'eau et renforcer la biodiversité. En analysant trois organisations forestières urbaines et deux forêts urbaines appartenant à des institutions, l'étude a révélé qu'aucune ne mettait l'accent sur la sécurité alimentaire et ne donnait la priorité qu'au bois d'œuvre commercial. Des entretiens avec 74 agriculteurs ont révélé que la plantation d'arbres comestibles dans les fermes urbaines pourrait couvrir 77 % de la production fruitière de la ville, ce qui montre le potentiel de ces forêts pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire avec un minimum d'efforts. En outre, une matrice climat-alimentation-espèces a permis d'identifier 10 espèces d'arbres comestibles adaptées aux environnements urbains chauds, dont 7 espèces présentant un potentiel de régénération élevé en raison de leur comestibilité, de leur résistance aux maladies et de leur tolérance à la sécheresse. Les résultats suggèrent que les forêts comestibles urbaines peuvent servir de catalyseurs pour la restauration écologique en réhabilitant les terres dégradées par la déforestation et l'utilisation non durable des sols. Cette recherche fournit des indications utiles pour l'intégration des forêts comestibles dans la planification urbaine de Kiambu en mettant en évidence leur double rôle.
In response to the food insecurity and environmental degradation caused by rapid urbanization, cities are increasingly adopting innovative solutions to foster sustainable urban development and resilience. This study investigates the role of urban edible forests in enhancing food security and regenerating degraded urban land, focusing on Kiambu Town, Kenya. Urban edible forests integrate elements of urban agriculture and agroforestry to create regenerative landscapes that can restore soil fertility, improve water retention, and enhance biodiversity. By analysing three urban forest organisations and two institution-owned urban forests, the study found that none emphasised food security and only prioritise commercial timber. Interviews with 74 farmers revealed that planting edible trees on urban farms could meet 77% of the town’s fruit production, showcasing the potential of these forests in addressing food security with minimal effort. Additionally, a Climate–Food–Species Matrix identified 10 edible tree species suitable for warm urban environments, with 7 species demonstrating high regenerative potential based on edibility, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. The findings suggest that urban edible forests can act as catalysts for ecological restoration by rehabilitating degraded lands impacted by deforestation and unsustainable land use. This research provides actionable insights for integrating edible forests into Kiambu’s urban planning by highlighting their dual role in food security and landscape regeneration.
4 November 2024
Background to the Study
Urban forests cover approximately 3.5% of urban land globally, play a crucial role in enhancing environmental quality and human well-being through carbon sequestration, air purification, temperature regulation, and stormwater management (Nowak et al., 2014; Escobedo et al., 2019). According to (Kabisch et al., 2017), these green spaces also foster mental and physical health, social cohesion, and increased property values. McPherson et al., (2018), acknowledges that rapid urbanisation, pollution, and inadequate management threaten the resilience and sustainability of urban forests.
According to the UN (2022), cities are projected to house 70% of the world’s population by 2030, while challenges such as food security and sustainability are becoming urgent priorities under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Traditional urban planning often overlooks food security, which highlights the need for transformative, nature-based approaches, especially as urban populations and environmental pressures grow. In this context, urban edible forests offer a promising solution, simultaneously addressing food insecurity and regenerating degraded urban spaces.
In Kenya, rapid population growth and environmental degradation threaten the goals of UN Agenda 2030 (to achieve sustainable development globally by addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges through 17 interconnected goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by the year 2030). This study examines the potential of urban edible forests in Kiambu Town to enhance food security and support resilient, sustainable urban development.
While urban forests provide critical ecosystem benefits, they face increasing threats from rapid urbanisation, such as deforestation and climate change. The limited integration of edible forests into urban areas restricts the city's' capacity to address these issues, potentially exacerbating urban vulnerabilities and hindering progress toward the SDGs.
Kiambu Town, facing rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges, requires innovative solutions to enhance urban regeneration and food security. Despite conservation efforts, recent deforestation trends highlight the need for effective integration of edible forests. This study investigates the role of urban edible forests and their integration into urban planning strategies. Ultimately, this research aims to strengthen Kiambu Town’s regeneration through sustainable, nature-based approaches aligned with sustainable development goals.
Significance of the Study
Given its proximity to Nairobi, Kiambu Town has evolved into one of Kenya’s fastest-growing towns. This rapid urban development has posed significant challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and the conversion of both agricultural and forest lands into residential and commercial zones. Amidst these changes, Kiambu Town suffers from food insecurity, poor waste management, and environmental degradation.
Kenya as a whole grapples with pressing issues of food insecurity. Recent data reveals that approximately 4.4 million people nationwide face severe food shortages, with nearly 8.4% of Kiambu County’s population experiencing total food insecurity and 6.0% going to bed hungry. The Kenyan government has responded by promoting agricultural diversification to improve food availability, underscoring the role of innovative strategies like edible forests. For Kiambu, the introduction of urban edible forests could not only bolster food security, but also provide a model for sustainable urban regeneration.
This study aligns with Kenya’s larger environmental goals, particularly the commitment to planting 15 billion trees by 2032. This ambitious target is part of a drive toward achieving 30% tree cover, which is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering climate resilience. Urban edible forests are a unique opportunity to meet these objectives in urban areas. In Kiambu Town, integrating edible forests could play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration, securing urban regeneration, and advancing sustainable urban development.
This study aims to fill the gap in practical implementation and community engagement strategies for integrating edible forests into urban planning. Through this exploration, it can be demonstrated how regenerative landscapes can address both ecological and social needs, supporting a more resilient urban environment.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework revolves around the relationship between urban edible forests and food security. It identifies urban edible forests as the independent variable, with measurable components such as species type, distribution, and ecological contributions. Food security is the dependent variable, assessed through availability, diversity, and accessibility. This framework supports the notion that well-managed urban edible forests can bolster urban resilience and contribute to sustainable development goals.
Existing research often overlooks community engagement and policy implications necessary for effective implementation, a gap that this study sought to address. The research approach included the following:
1. An exploration of the relationship between urban edible forests and food security, focusing on their regenerative potential in Kiambu Town.
2. Characterisation of the distribution and ecological roles of urban edible forests in Kiambu Town, emphasizing their regenerative impacts on degraded urban lands.
3. A case study strategy to facilitate an in-depth understanding of how urban edible forests can influence food security in Kiambu Town.
Data collection methods included the following:
1. Observation: Site visits documented the current state of urban edible forests.
2. Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with key informants and registered farmers providing insights into local perceptions of urban edible forests.
3. Desktop Study: Literature and reports were reviewed to contextualise findings.
Research Findings
Qualitative data were analysed thematically, focusing on the regenerative capacity of urban edible forests and their implications for food security. Research findings included the evaluation of the suitability of woody edible tree species for enhancing food security in urban edible forests. In Kiambu Town 10 woody edible tree species were identified with multiple benefits. Edible trees with a suitability score of 3 or higher were deemed best for the Kiambu Town’s warm climate. The urban suitability was determined using a Likert scale as follows:
1 is Not Suitable at all; 2 is Slightly Suitable; 3 Suitable; 4 is Quite Suitable; and 5 is Very Suitable.
The study found that edible trees with higher suitability scores were preferred by farmers mainly due to their marketability, ease of maintenance and quality of yields. Factors affecting food security include urbanisation, which significantly impacted food accessibility, food production by increasing pressure on food availability. In Kiambu, rapid urbanisation has led to the conversion of predominantly forested and agricultural land into residential and commercial land which has led to accelerated land subdivision into uneconomical sizes, which has further threatened food security and led to environmental degradation.
Poverty levels directly affect the population’s ability to access food, which further exacerbates the issue of food insecurity in Kiambu. High poverty levels limit food availability and diversity, therefore impacting the social well-being and quality of life of the population at large.
Regenerative Capacity of Urban Edible Forests
The study assessed the regenerative capacity of urban edible forests in Kiambu Town and their potential impact on food security. The findings indicate that the regenerative capacity of urban edible forests in Kiambu Town demonstrates their critical role in enhancing food security while promoting ecological sustainability and community well-being. By integrating these forests into urban planning, Kiambu can create resilient landscapes that support both people and the environment.
a. Ecological Benefits
Urban edible forests enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and contribute to water conservation. The presence of diverse edible tree species in urban areas helps restore habitats for local wildlife and promotes the resilience of urban ecosystems.
b. Social Impact
Urban edible forests provide communities with access to fresh, nutritious food, reducing dependency on external food sources. They also serve as communal spaces for education and engagement, fostering community ties and awareness about sustainable practices.
c. Economic Contributions
The cultivation of edible forests can generate income through the sale of fruits, nuts, and other products, supporting local economies and improving food security. These forests also reduce urban heat, leading to energy savings in residential areas.
Study Conclusion and Recommendations
The study reveals that the creation of regenerative landscapes that restore urban ecosystems, goes beyond merely addressing food insecurity in Kiambu Town.
These forests serve as living examples of how landscapes can be actively regenerated while being a sustainable food source. By cultivating climate-specific edible species, increasing food diversity, and implementing sustainable management practices, urban edible forests can transform underutilised urban spaces into thriving ecological hubs. The findings emphasise that these forests help restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and reduce urban waste. Such regenerative benefits make them highly valuable not only as a food source, but also as natural solutions that foster climate resilience. This approach aligns well with global sustainability goals by addressing urban challenges through ecosystem restoration strategies that provide long-term benefits.
The study recommends the importance of using high-quality tree seedlings, particularly indigenous edible varieties like Casimiroa edulis (commonly known as white sapote), to support food production and conserve native vegetation. Additionally, it advocates for including multi-benefit vegetation, such as fruit trees, which provide food, shade, medicinal properties, and carbon sequestration, alongside establishing sustainable agro-processing industries to extend the shelf-life of fruit products.
The need for diversification and companion planting in edible forests is also stressed, along with effective pest control measures and stronger policy enforcement in food security. Furthermore, it is recommended that tree planting initiatives incorporate 20-30% edible trees to bolster food production. Overall, this research underscores the regenerative potential of urban edible forests as a strategy for revitalising urban landscapes, enhancing food security, and fostering community resilience, suggesting that integrating these principles into urban planning can regenerate degraded spaces and align with sustainable urban development goals.
References
Escobedo, F. J., Kroeger, T., & Wagner, J. E. (2019). Urban forests and pollution mitigation: Analyzing ecosystem services and disservices. Environmental Pollution, 244, 753-761.
Kabisch, N., van den Bosch, M., & Lafortezza, R. (Eds.). (2017). Urban forests, trees, and greenspace: A political ecology perspective. Routledge.
McPherson, E. G., van Doorn, N. S., Peper, P. J., & Scott, K. I. (2018). Urban forest assessment: a strategic approach. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 29, 353-364.
Nowak, D. J., Hirabayashi, S., Bodine, A., & Greenfield, E. (2014). Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States. Environmental Pollution, 193, 119-129.
United Nations. (2002). World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Summit).
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