Advancing food security and sustainable living in Southern African urban communities

Abstract

Edible green infrastructure provides a pathway to enhancing food security and advancing sustainability in underprivileged Sub-Saharan communities. This study explores the potential of modular living wall systems (LWSs) with African Vegetables (AVs) to enhance food security and provide ecosystem services in the Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane, South Africa. This research investigated the socio-cultural perceptions surrounding the opportunities and challenges of outdoor modular living walls with African Vegetables to sustainably enhance the household food security of marginalized South African urban communities. Data were captured using a mixed-methods approach that involved semi-structured questionnaires, focus group interviews, and photo-elicitation. The analysis was conducted quantitatively with SPSS and qualitatively with Atlas.ti software. Key barriers to urban agriculture identified include high maintenance costs, pest control issues, spatial constraints, exposure to extreme weather, and limited access to water and fertilizers. The Melusi community strongly supported LWSs with AV crops, valuing their space-saving and biophilic benefits. Success, however, depends on low-tech, cost-effective, modular systems made from recycled materials and incorporating nutrient-dense, compact crops. This study highlights the potential of LWSs to enhance food security, promote economic growth, and support climate-resilient livelihoods in urban underprivileged settings.