Participatory territorial mapping for food security and health equity in marginalized urban communities
1
Geoplaning, Health Promotion Center, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil
2
Centre for Public Health & Policy, Queen Mary University of London - QMUL, London, United Kingdom
3
Health Promotion Center, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1403
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Food insecurity in urban centers has evolved from caloric deficiency to a lack of nutritional quality, exacerbated by the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and fragmented social protection. In marginalized territories, the disconnection between emergency aid and health outcomes increases the risk of chronic diseases. This project presents a pilot plan to address food insecurity by integrating community-led knowledge with territorial health governance, supported by a landmark partnership between Queen Mary University of London and the Barking and Dagenham Council.2,3
METHODS:
The study utilizes the "speaking map" methodology, a participatory tool for territorial diagnosis and social mobilization.1 Community members and researchers georeference and categorize food distribution points, social services, and places of worship across three administrative districts. This approach involves qualitative data collection through "link workers" and community leaders to identify informal support networks and potential spaces for urban agriculture, such as university-led or school-based community gardens.
RESULTS:
The pilot framework identifies over 300 community organizations. Preliminary analysis reveals a systemic reliance on non-perishable goods within food banks, creating a significant nutritional gap in fresh produce. The proposal suggests integrating local producers with distribution points and establishing community gardens as a "domino effect" intervention that links food security to mental health and social inclusion. Mapping these resources allows for a visual, integrated diagnosis that supports the development of targeted public policies for vulnerable groups, including immigrant populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Participatory mapping serves as a critical bridge between local reality and policy design. By shifting the focus from caloric satiety to nutritional health and relational connectivity, the "speaking map" methodology enables a holistic approach to health equity. The integration of academic resources with community-led urban agriculture provides a scalable model for building urban resilience and improving long-term public health outcomes in underserved territories.
Food insecurity in urban centers has evolved from caloric deficiency to a lack of nutritional quality, exacerbated by the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and fragmented social protection. In marginalized territories, the disconnection between emergency aid and health outcomes increases the risk of chronic diseases. This project presents a pilot plan to address food insecurity by integrating community-led knowledge with territorial health governance, supported by a landmark partnership between Queen Mary University of London and the Barking and Dagenham Council.2,3
METHODS:
The study utilizes the "speaking map" methodology, a participatory tool for territorial diagnosis and social mobilization.1 Community members and researchers georeference and categorize food distribution points, social services, and places of worship across three administrative districts. This approach involves qualitative data collection through "link workers" and community leaders to identify informal support networks and potential spaces for urban agriculture, such as university-led or school-based community gardens.
RESULTS:
The pilot framework identifies over 300 community organizations. Preliminary analysis reveals a systemic reliance on non-perishable goods within food banks, creating a significant nutritional gap in fresh produce. The proposal suggests integrating local producers with distribution points and establishing community gardens as a "domino effect" intervention that links food security to mental health and social inclusion. Mapping these resources allows for a visual, integrated diagnosis that supports the development of targeted public policies for vulnerable groups, including immigrant populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Participatory mapping serves as a critical bridge between local reality and policy design. By shifting the focus from caloric satiety to nutritional health and relational connectivity, the "speaking map" methodology enables a holistic approach to health equity. The integration of academic resources with community-led urban agriculture provides a scalable model for building urban resilience and improving long-term public health outcomes in underserved territories.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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