Milan Urban Food Policy
Proponent
EStà - Economia e Sostenibilità
www.foodcities.org
Independent research center that believes in a robust, systematic approach to sustainability. It works together with government agencies, research centres, economic groups, and actors at local, national and international level about the relation between Food and Cities.
Main responsible entity
Municipality of Milan T
The second city of Italy with 1,3 Millions of inhabitants (4 Millions in the metropolitan area) and its economical hub. Milano is in the center of a Padana food valley and is surrounded by the biggest agricultural park in Europe.
Cariplo Foundation
Private, grant-making philanthropic foundation, with a banking origin, that plays a fundamental role to support social, cultural, environmental and research activities in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy) for sustainable development.
Date / Timeframe
2014-ongoing
Funding source
Cariplo Foundation and Milan Municipality
Location
Italy, Milan
Background/Context
In 2011 the Municipality, together with 31 urban farms has defined the first Italian urban Agricultural District, in 2015 Milan has hosted EXPO2015 on the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life" with 137 countries from each part of the world.
Focus/Objectives
Strategic approach for Milan food system planning with a Food Policy that adopts a long term vision, promoting multi-actor processes for facilitating the assumption of joint responsibility for sustainable and resilient urban food system transition.
Key characteristics of the experience/process
- Participatory analysis with the engagement of several researchers that have already investigated parts of food system from different disciplines.
- Public consultation with municipal officers, citizens, innovators, start-uppers, activists, civil society organizations, private sector, academics.
- Formalization of a document of priorities and guidelines that was voted by the City Council
Key actors involved and their role
Municipal officers: connection with other policies and programs.
Academics: analysis and interpretation of different part of food system.
Innovators: individuation of most innovative food trend.
Activists of civil society organizations: connection with other CSOs projects.
Private sector: making alliance in the private element of food system.
Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems
Access to healthy food, sustainable food system, oriented culture conscious consumption, reduction of food waste, improved agrifood research, “urban diplomacy” through the promotion of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.
Challenges faced
Urban food system planning as driver of sustainable, resilient and fairy city.
Lessons/Key messages
Food planning has to be implemented in ordinary policies of local authorities.
Need to an integrate a direction room for manage and integrate different department of the institution.
Need to represent and to integrate all the actors of the food system in order to boost a sustainable change through a public discussion of the new needs and solutions
Sr. Andrea Calori