Food procurement and short value chains

The PPP-URB project (Public and Private Procurement and Short Food Value Chains in Urban Areas) is a key initiative within the Onfoods PNRR research program, aimed at reimagining urban food systems. This volume showcases how the project, coordinated by the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano, implemented a systemic design approach to integrate various disciplines and viewpoints, addressing the complexity of the topic. By analyzing case studies, the project investigates the role of food ecosystems in small territorial units, with a particular focus on university campuses, to understand their influence on local systems. The research's first deliverable concentrated on this analysis, establishing a foundation for future strategy development and practical experiments. Input from six Italian universities highlighted how interdisciplinary collaboration among project partners encouraged critical thinking about food systems in urban environments, opening the door to innovative models and strategies for tackling food challenges in future cities.