Urban kitchens - A new infrastructure and inclusive meeting place for people and food

Purpose and goal:

The purpose has been to explore how public kitchens in a neighborhood can enhance the overall health, well-being, and promote active involvement in the transition towards a sustainable food system. The Stadsdelsmat model empowers local communities to take charge of their own food supply. Residents, community organizations, and food stakeholders have a direct relationship with farmers and tailor produce to meet the specific needs, preferences, and economic considerations of the area.

Expected results and effects:

We’ve observed that food can serve as a unifying force in the social fabric of community and in the pursuit of Agenda 2030. In this process, committed Järva residents, visitors, organizations, politicians, and food stakeholders have shared meals and valuable perspectives. The Stadsdeslmat spaces and local food memberships can contribute to everyday life, becoming as essential as the pool or library.

Preliminary assessments indicate accessible and consistent food prices, and the creation of local employment opportunities with fair pay in both kitchens and within food production. Approach and implementation:

We conducted the project in Stockholm´s Järva area, exploring social dynamics and interactions through various activities. This includes a trial cultivation led by Boodla, collaborative efforts with chef Alena Grahn at Yalla Rinkeby´s kitchen, a full-day prototype of a future activity program, with a conference exploring various food scales and contexts hosted by Reformaten.

These activities have provided invaluable insights, supporting a parallel design process led by Johan Hjerpe where the model evolved in relation to an urban development lens from architects Boys Don´t Cry.