It is estimated that by 2025, between 60 per cent and 85 per cent of these countries' populations will be concentrated in cities.
Urbanisation brings changes in consumption patterns and urban consumers' location.
As a consequence, food access costs rise, food availability is unstable while food quality and hygienic conditions deteriorate. The situation with regard to food availability and accessibility in cities is growingly alarming also because of increasing poverty levels. Poor urban consumers tend to concentrate in the most remote and deprived urban areas, which tend to be neglected by local authorities. The challenge is therefore to improve FSDS efficiency and dynamism bearing in mind that the rapidity with which the problems arise and grow calls for quick, effective and concerted action. This Guide is aimed at researchers, technicians and administrators concerned with the food security of urban populations.