Chhaya Kolavalli

Kolavalli's research focuses on race, hunger and food insecurity, U.S. cities, and green urban infrastructure, particularly urban food projects. In particular, her work has explored the racialized inequities created by green urban development by highlighting the voices of low-income residents most affected by this development. Her work has troubled the narrative that food projects (community gardens and farmers markets) are unequivocal assets to urban space and 'food deserts,' and has explored the ideologies that animate public policy designed to address urban food deserts. Her work has implications for green urban infrastructure development, urban food policy, and racially-equitable urban development.