From extractive to regenerative insular food systems
Uncovering the entrepreneurial barriers and opportunities towards shaping a regenerative productive food system in the Galapagos Archipelago, guided by the principles of circular communities
N.A. Buijsman (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
Fátima Delgado Medina – Mentor (TU Delft - Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship)
L.M. Kamp – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
Els Leclercq – Graduation committee member (Circular Community Foundation)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
This thesis investigates the socio-economic and ecological challenges faced by the Galapagos Islands, focusing on their increasing reliance on mainland Ecuador for food and the social tensions stemming from top-down conservation policies. These challenges are compounded by the islands’ growing ecological footprint and tourism pressures. The study explores the potential of Circular Communities, regenerativity, and convivial conservation as frameworks to address ongoing issues in the food sector and to provide recommendations for structural solutions.
Using a mixed methods approach and participatory action research, the study holistically analyses the productive food systems of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, the primary inhabited islands. By conducting active participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and a co-creation workshop, the researcher uncovered findings that indicate how adopting a regenerative food system can reduce the islands’ dependency on external resources, decrease ecological pressures, enhance social cohesion, and align conservation efforts with local entrepreneurial needs.