Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2024·India (Bengaluru)

Oota Kathegalu: Tracing the food stories of Bengaluru, India

Marthe L. Derkzen, Maitreyi Koduganti, Sheetal Patil, Parama Roy

Urban Farm DB summary

Bengaluru has transitioned from a "Garden City" to a "Global Technology Hub," resulting in food production being pushed out and productive lands converted to residential and commercial uses. This urbanization has led to rising land values, sharpening inequalities, and recurrent water insecurity. In response, new forms of urban farming, such as kitchen gardens and community farms, have emerged to mitigate space constraints and meet local food aspirations. This chapter will use participatory mapping, interviews, film, and photography to explore how Bengaluru residents from diverse backgrounds perceive food as cultural connections, community feelings, and environmental resilience.