Shaping Equitable Access to Food: Barcelona’s Supply Planning and Policies in Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the interplay between urban planning, public policy, and food systems, focusing on the city of Barcelona as a case study. The study explores the historical shaping of access to fresh food by public urban policies and planning, ensuring a balanced territorial distribution across the city while addressing broader implications for public health, social equity, and sustainability. The analysis begins with an overview of Barcelona’s food supply system, which is characterized by an extensive set of public market halls and specialty stores, strategically embedded within a compact urban fabric that ensures walkable access for residents. The research highlights the evolution of planning actions, from 19th century bylaws aimed at regulating food hygiene and spatial organization of food sales to contemporary initiatives influenced by the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, which emphasize the proximity between households and providers and promote the consumption of local goods.