Eating anew : improving nutrition through environmental decision-making aids

Abstract

Recognising food security as a subset of the broader health debate surrounding life-style disease within South Africa s burgeoning informal settlements lead to an investigation into the designed landscape s ability to influence eating habits. Much has been written on the potential health benefits of landscape architecture, yet very little that focuses on the influence landscape architecture has on health Recognising food security as a subset of the broader health debate surrounding life-style disease within South Africa s burgeoning informal settlements lead to an investigation into the designed landscape s ability to influence eating habits. Much has been written on the potential health benefits of landscape architecture, yet very little that focuses on the influence landscape architecture has on health through food choices (other than productive agricultural landscapes). An eating toolbox is developed to guide design decisions it is based on psychological and behavioural science principles. The toolbox encourages social norm dissemination, not creating cognitive fatigue, the exposure to healthy choices and the utilisation of healthy foods in self-image creation, amongst others. Some of these tools require a salutogenic (healthy) environment. A clean, accessible and legible street is proposed and supported by an ancillary landscape system. This food street is proposed as the most effective manner in which healthier consumption patterns may be aided. The congruence of existing networks in Alaska, the influence on pedestrians along a linear route, the facilitation of existing subsistence agriculture and upgrading of existing infrastructure all serve to create Alaska s first urban street. The design and incorporation of transporting, producing, displaying, trading, preparing, consuming and recycling food all blends into creating a healthy eating experience.