Modeling urban systems: Comparing the efficacy of simulated interventions on the urban food environment

Abstract

• Food access metrics using more than store proximity lead to tailored food access interventions. • Modeling disruptors on the food system inexpensively tests out food access solutions. • Interventions in different case study regions have distinct effects. • Further work needed on interplay between choices of where to shop and how to travel. Inequitable access to food has negative effects on the health and quality of life of urban residents, especially in regions known as Food Deserts (FDs). Interventions to increase food access are inconsistently effective when applied to different regions in the U.S. This work seeks to answer two research questions: (1) can differences in interventions efficacy be explained by local demographic factors and geographies?; and (2) can multi-dimensional metrics be used to isolate what demographic factors drive food inaccessibility? Results indicate that the efficacy of interventions does depend on local demographic factors and infrastructure, especially bus service. Additionally, demographic factors can act either to increase or impede food access. After distance to the store, the presence of a child under 5 in the household was the most significant limiting factor to accessing healthy food. Conversely, a household size exceeding 4 members had the greatest positive impact on food access. These results show how the combination of simulation modeling and multi-dimensional metrics can inform decision makers about what demographic factors drive inaccessibility, and the interventions that would be most effective and sustainable.