Towards Developing Ethical Spaces in Cities: Exploring Geographical Dimensions of Ethical Consumption in Tehran by Focusing on Local Food Consumption

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Roghayyeh Samadi ¹

mohammadtaghi razavian ¹

Jamileh Tavakoliniya ²

morteza ghourchi ¹

¹ Department of Human Geography/ Faculty of Earth Sciences/ Shahid Beheshti University

² Shahid Beheshti UniverDepartment of Human Geography/ Faculty of Earth Sciences/ Shahid Beheshti Universitysity

https://doi.org/10.22067/jgusd.2021.48207.0

Abstract

Geographical Research has been examining ethical issues in a wide range of areas including consumption patterns. One of the ethical issues in geography is the consumption of local food products which refers to food miles and environmental issues, fair trade, social justice, and food democracy. Although in recent years, local food consumption has become more prevalent in developed countries, but recently it has been widespread in developing countries. In Iran, different climatic zones have created various opportunities for growing local food products, but consumers are facing many challenges in consumption of this kind of products due to various factors. This study aims to investigate the consumer’s attitude, intention and behavior regarding local food products. In this regard, 197 consumers selected in districts 1 and 20 of Tehran City using convenience sampling method completed the questionnaires used in this study. The results of data analysis showed that despite the ethical values of the respondents, including their health- related issues, supporting local producers and protecting the environment, there is a positive correlation between the long distance for buying local food and the unwillingness to consume local products. In addition, geographical distance is one of the most important challenges for consumers to buy local products. Therefore, the intervention of urban planners in local food systems should be considered here due to issues such as food miles and environment pollution, food safety, etc. Urban planners should encourage local communities to produce and consume more sustainable local foods and protect local agricultural resources as well.

Keywords

Local Food Products

Ethical Issues

Food Miles

Fair Trade

Districts 1 And 20 Of Tehran City

20.1001.1.25383531.1400.8.1.10.4

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