The general health of a population rests on food security. It is broadly understood that reduced access to fresh ingredients or prepared meals is a leading cause of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and more. Historically, the picture of a community’s food security was based on one’s economic means and distance from home to the grocery store.

Today, an intricate system of disinvestment in public realm quality, dwindling social programs, inefficient distribution systems, social isolation, broken mobility networks, and a lack of affordable housing constitute the social and cultural determinants of health.

Foodscapes refocus the picture of community health towards the ways in which the built environment limits food access.

Gehl partnered with Novo Nordisk and collaborated with local organizations in five CCD cities to analyze and identify how public space, food places, and public life intersect to create a neighborhood’s unique foodscape conditions, in an effort to improve poor health outcomes.

By examining the role of the built environment and community in shaping a neighborhood’s foodscape, Gehl supported clients in creating actionable solutions to improve access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate food for vulnerable groups and in disinvested communities.
By addressing food insecurity with a cross-cultural approach, Gehl created a Foodscapes framework and toolkit that could be scaled-up and applied to other communities with similar contexts. The framework uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the lived experience of accessing healthy foods.

Gehl’s comprehensive, people-first methodology ensured that solutions were specific to local conditions, shifting communities with different needs from lack of access and undernourishment to healthful routines. From local to global action, Gehl is helping cities find innovative ways to invest in people, programs and policies that foster resilient food systems, equitable access to good food and an enhanced quality of life.