URBAL

The main objective of the research is to build and test a participatory methodology to identify and map the impact pathways of innovations on all the dimensions of food systems sustainability. By testing this methodology through various case studies internationally including the Global South and North, this project aims to provide decision-makers with information on how urban-driven innovations can contribute to build more sustainable food systems, thus assisting them to determine which actions should or should not be taken.

In the first step of the project, a participatory methodology will be specified using four main topics :
a) Actors that will participate in impact pathway mapping.
b) Dimensions of sustainability using specifications based on a holistic approach to sustainability.
c) Elements of the context that must be taken into account.
d) Rules of the discussion that will be proposed for the participatory mapping.
In a second step of the project, the first version of the methodology will be tested on various innovations (case studies). The cases studies will be grouped in 3 Work Packages corresponding to the 3 types of impacts : on consumers’ practices, on the value chain, and on governance.

A new methodology, based on participation, tested through the case studies to be easily appropriated by public authorities and innovation actors ; 12 case studies of urban driven innovations where mapping of the impact pathways has been completed ; 12 teams in 8 cities that are able to provide a map of the impact pathways of innovations or policies on the different dimensions of the sustainability.

A better ability to rapidly and simply assess the impacts of innovations on the different dimensions of the sustainability through a holistic vision of sustainability dimensions.