The world population is expected to increase to 9.7 billion by the year
2050 with a 70% increase in food requirement. Food insecurity in urban areas is already an issue and this will only increase further as the world population increases. Factors including declining rural economies suffering from the impacts of environmental and climatic changes have encouraged the migration of people to urban areas in search of a more prosperous life. Plus, in some older larger industrial cities a decline in manufacturing and commerce has led to an increasing number of derelict and disused buildings and sites, and a reduction in economic prosperity. Both these global issues are influencing food insecurity in urban areas.

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This research study looks at case studies of traditional and more innovative modern methods of urban farming to generate design principles for the integration of farming into urban areas. An inquiry by design process was used to create a set of design principles which show ways of integrating urban farming systems into urban areas for the production of fresh healthy food and in so doing helping to mitigate the increasing issue of food insecurity in urban areas.