With our cities expected to play an even larger role in economy and society, urban food security will be tackled at the GBCSA’s education day that precedes the fourth annual Convention and Exhibition in Cape Town this October.

While buildings and food may seem unrelated at first glance, Wilkinson explains that smart, green thinking about metropolitan geography has a pivotal role to play in urban food security.

“Yes, it’s barely been touched on before in context of green building in South Africa, but that’s what the GBCSA Convention is all about -- the latest in technology and innovation making good on the higher philosophy of sustainability and responsibility,” points out Wilkinson

He cites the recent African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) survey of low-income areas in 11 southern African cities, which found 77% of households are struggling with food insecurity.

“Many of the protests of the recent “Arab Spring” had their genesis in food price protests,” says Wilkinson. “It would be foolish to ignore the impact of urban food security challenges and every economic sector, including the property sector, should be looking at how they can contribute to a solution for the sake of their own sustainability.”

To this end, urban geographer and UCT academic Dr Jane Battersby, on behalf of AFSUN, will join a team of ecologists, nutritionists, researchers and other thought-leaders in provocative workshops and talks exploring the vital role that urban planning can have in feeding the future.

“In the context of global food crises and climate change, food security should be a key consideration in designing healthy, resilient and sustainable cities,” explains Dr Battersby.

The non-profit GBCSA was established in 2007 and is South Africa’s official representative at the World Green Building Council. As such, GBCSA has direct access to the most advanced and exciting knowledge and cutting edge thinking around the built environment in the world, while also being responsible for local Green Star accreditation and training.

The GBCSA Convention and Exhibition, sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, will showcase the latest green building technology and bringa wealth of global and local specialists together for workshops, lectures and networking.

The GBCSA Convention and Exhibition takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 26 to 28 October, 2011.