Food strategies and restitution of urban agriculture illustrated by the case of selected solutions of metropolitan areas

Purpose: The purpose of the paper was to present and emphasise the importance of the concept of food strategies in creating sustainable development of metropolitan areas and restitution of agriculture. By reviewing Canadian and French solutions, among other things, an attempt was made to indicate the importance of urban agriculture in shaping sustainable development (SD) of metropolitan areas. Design/methodology/approach: In order to illuminate the phenomenon of urban strategic planning in the restitution and development of urban agriculture, a descriptive case study was adopted as the methodology of qualitative research, where the empirical basis consisted mainly of urban plans of selected cities, study of the subject literature and analysis of selected legislative acts. Findings: The presented models of coherence building at a local level show that only planning and new generation strategic plans of a metropolis that take into into account urban food systems are able to balance long-term development objectives and protect natural resources for future generations. Such a model is characterised by not only innovative methodology of planning, but also innovative operational instruments and new ways of implementation. Practical implications: using accumulated knowledge and experience in managing sustainable development of cities. Originality/value: presenting world standards in planning sustainable development of cities and emphasising the importance of urban food production and agriculture as a zone of a metropolis's natural balance.