Food Vulnerability of Poor Households in Densely Populated Urban Areas

Abstract

This article develops a conceptual discussion of household food security among urban poor families who live in dense settlements without access to productive land. The paper describes how dependence on purchased food, unstable earnings from informal or low paid work, and limited housing facilities combine to shape fragile daily food practices. It explores the ways in which income volatility, rising living costs, and restrictive urban space reduce the capacity of low income households to secure adequate and nutritious meals for all members. Attention is given to intra household decision making, storage and cooking constraints, and the role of neighbourhood support networks under continuous economic pressure. The discussion also highlights intergenerational consequences of insufficient diets and the psychological burden carried by caregivers who struggle to provide food. By linking urban poverty, labour conditions, and everyday food management, the article offers a conceptual frame for understanding household food security in large cities and for informing public policies that aim to protect the right to adequate food for vulnerable urban populations.