Designing Food Hubs for Territories of Proximity: Assessing the Spatial, Ecological, and Cultural Potentials of Places through Multi-Criteria Decision Support Systems

Sara Favargiotti (), Giulia Zantedeschi, Angelica Pianegonda, Matteo Brunelli and Michele Urbani
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Sara Favargiotti: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Giulia Zantedeschi: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Angelica Pianegonda: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Matteo Brunelli: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Michele Urbani: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-24

Abstract: Logistics, distribution models, and landscapes of food production strongly influence the space of our cities and territories. In addition to the network of large-scale retail distribution that is diffused in urban and non-urban areas, with this contribution, we study the presence of new forms of the local and sustainable distribution of food (such as Alternative Food Networks, and community-supported agriculture). Studying and understanding how these distribution models can support and be integrated within a landscape planning and design approach is explored through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis method. Through the specific focus of a Food Hub localization, the aim is to demonstrate how distribution models can not only support but also integrate into landscape planning and design. The fundamental objectives for structuring and locating a Food Hub can be organized under three strategic objectives: pursuing the benefit of people, the planet, and profit. The choice of one distribution method over others, or what is the best location and condition for distribution centers, is the question we have tested with the collaboration of “L’Ortazzo” Association. The case study is a solidarity purchasing group located in the upper Valsugana valley area (Trentino Region, Italy), a supra-municipality reality involving about a hundred families that, currently, do not have a physical distribution center.

Keywords: food hub; AHP; foodscape; emerging food practice; sustainable food system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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