Urban Food Forests: From Theory to Empirical Research

Urban Food Forests (UFFs) are perennial, polyculture systems that integrate urban agriculture, forestry, and agroforestry. Like other urban green spaces, UFFs contribute to ecosystem services (i.e., enhancement of the urban resilience, biodiversity, social and health benefits) and additionally support the provision of food. Historically common in cities, urban food production is now reemerging as a public good and strategic green infrastructure. However, despite the growing interest, inconsistent definitions, limited design guidelines, and the scarcity of applied research hinder their implementation. Only by addressing these challenges can UFFs be better integrated into urban planning, enhancing their ecological and socio-economic contributions to sustainable and resilient cities.