Cultivating Livability: Food, Class, and the Urban Future in Bengaluru

Cultivating Livability explores the concept of "livability" in Bengaluru, India, by examining the food networks connecting peri-urban farmers and the middle-class public. It reveals how these intersections are often rooted in and exacerbate ongoing forms of disenfranchisement that privilege some lives at the expense of others.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2024
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

In recent years, the concept of "livability" has gained widespread attention, shaping discussions about the impacts of climate change on human well-being and inspiring rankings of "most livable cities" in popular publications. However, the question of what constitutes a livable life remains elusive, and its definition varies depending on individual perspectives and circumstances.

Cultivating Livability explores the city of Bengaluru, India, as a case study, a city that is often described as India's most and least livable megacity, characterized by rapid transformation and inequalities evident in the food networks connecting peri-urban farmers and the middle-class public. Anthropologist Camille Frazier delves into the meaning of "livability" in Bengaluru through ethnographic research among producers, consumers, corporate intermediaries, and urban information technology professionals.

By examining the diverse efforts to reconfigure processes of food production, distribution, retail, and consumption, Frazier uncovers how these intersections often perpetuate and exacerbate ongoing forms of disenfranchisement that privilege certain lives while marginalizing others. Through her analysis, she sheds light on the complex dynamics and contradictions that shape urban food networks and their impact on middle-class livability in times of transformation.

This book offers valuable insights into the relationship between food, urbanization, and social inequality, challenging readers to think critically about the ways in which food systems shape urban environments and the experiences of different groups within society. It serves as a timely reminder of the importance of considering the social and cultural dimensions of livability and the need for policies and interventions that promote equitable access to healthy and sustainable food.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517914998