ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the relationship between food and wellbeing in cities. In particular, the role that design can play as a futuring practice to re-orientate food-related ill-being. It begins by presenting an historical account of what we may refer to as food-related ill-being in cities. The dominant diet and food practices in the UK, the US and Australia that are not healthy for people nor planet. How design has contributed to this ill-being from an ontological perspective is presented. Specifically in relation to how packaging, kitchen appliances, industrialised processes, automobile-friendly supermarkets and urban forms have scripted how we engage with food. We believe this understanding assists in framing the challenge that contemporary designers must engage with when redesigning food systems (or elements of the food systems) for wellbeing in future cities. Through case studies, the chapter reviews potential design approaches that may intervene in our current trajectories; in nowcasting, backcasting, forecasting and design-orienting scenarios. The chapter concludes with recommendations for intelligent and informed conversations that engage with the complexity of urban food systems and support design for change across multiple spheres of influence.
