Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
1204 results(10 / 49)
Assessing the Social Impact and Community Engagement of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee : A Mixed-Methods Study
2024Rafi Pratama, Wawan Dhewanto · International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies · Indonesia (Bandung)
This mixed-methods study assessed the effectiveness of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee, Bandung, Indonesia, in enhancing environmental sustainability and community involvement. While the initiative moderately succeeded in raising environmental awareness among participants, it faced problems in achieving consistent community participation. Logistic regression analysis identified awareness and knowledge as significant predictors of sustainability practice, indicating a need for targeted strategies to foster behavioral change.
Limited or null effectCommunityBiodiversityFood educationBeyond Efficiency: The Social and Ecological Costs of Plant Factories in Urban Farming—A Review
2024László Csambalik, Izóra Gál, Krisztina Madaras, Andrea Tóbiás, Péter Pusztai · Urban Science · Global
This review examines soil-based urban agriculture and high-tech plant factories for urban food resilience. It finds that while vertical farms produce high yields, inhabitant involvement is minimal, offering no social advantages. Automated plant factories require few highly qualified personnel and are unlikely to contribute to urban social well-being in the future.
Equity & displacementDigital agricultureCommunityEconomicsClimate changeMathematics Teachers’ Opinions on the Use of School Gardens in Lessons
2024Melikenur Kalfaoğlu, Hasan Hüseyin Aksu · Shanlax International Journal of Education · Global
This qualitative case study explored the opinions of 27 mathematics teachers in MoNE secondary schools regarding the use of school gardens in lessons during the 2023-2024 academic year. Teachers generally supported using school gardens but reported facing problems with maintaining discipline, attracting student attention, and scheduling conflicts.
Governance failureFood educationCommunityUneven Ground
2024Ángeles Donoso Macaya, Kendra Sullivan · · United States (New York City)
This chapter explores the experiences of co-authors in the "Archives in Common (AiC)" project, which aimed to strengthen public humanities infrastructure within and beyond CUNY’s Graduate Center. Conducted across three locations in New York City, the project highlighted institutional norms that fail to adequately support community-led research practices or acknowledge and reward diverse expertise.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Green Spaces and Healthy Living: A Landscape Architecture Perspective
2024Alessio Russo · Urban Science · Global
This paper synthesizes existing literature to examine the essential role of urban green spaces in fostering healthy living, emphasizing their strong positive associations with physical, mental, and social wellbeing. It discusses the importance of designing attractive and accessible green spaces that encourage physical activity and mental health, and the potential of local food production for diet improvement. The study also highlights disparities in access to quality green spaces, particularly between the Global North and South, advocating for equitable design strategies.
Equity & displacementHealthCommunityEconomicsPolicyThe Art of the Town-Gown Dance: Healing Legacies of Harm in our Food System through Equitable Pedagogy
2024Tanya Denckla Cobb, Shantell Bingham · Urban agriculture · United States (Charlottesville)
Using the University of Virginia's experience with Charlottesville, USA, this study demonstrated how university classroom engagement with the community can perpetuate inequities and legacies of harm. The research noted the potential for communities to view universities as "extractive industries" and proposed a new framework called "equitable pedagogy" to avoid perpetuating privilege and systemic inequities.
Equity & displacementCommunityFood educationRemediation of Soils Contaminated by Timbers in Community Gardens
2024Wendy J. Heiger-Bernays, Alicia Fraser, Valerie Burns, Kerry Diskin, Diedre Pierotti, Kian Merchant-Borna, Michael D. McClean, Daniel J. Brabander, H. Patricia Hynes · Scholarworks (University of Massachusetts Amherst) · United States (Boston)
This study identified the nature and extent of soil contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from railroad ties and arsenic from chromated copper arsenate (CCA) pressure-treated lumber in a representative community garden in Boston. Elevated levels of PAHs and arsenic were present in the gardens studied, with these timbers serving as a continuous source of contaminants. This is the first study to investigate contaminants other than lead and evaluate the effect of adding city compost on select soil contaminants in urban garden soil.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityCompostUsing visual methods to map green infrastructure for a sustainable food economy in Letchworth Garden City
2024Amélie André · · United Kingdom
This case study of Letchworth Garden City examined the interplay between the town's layout, social practices, and governance supporting a local sustainable food economy. Food mapping and an ethnographical approach showed how Letchworth's masterplan provides a backbone for alternative food infrastructure, though the edible landscape is not always visible or effective for residents. Discussions with experts also pointed to a gap in coordination among key local stakeholders, which would be beneficial for improving the local urban food strategy.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceRace in nature stewardship: an autoethnography of two racialised volunteers in urban ecology
2024Jacqueline L. Scott, Ambika Tenneti · Environmental Research Ecology · Canada (Toronto)
This autoethnography by two racialized volunteers (Black and South Asian) in Toronto, Canada, examines how race intersects with urban nature stewardship, including tree planting and community gardens. It finds that racialized people are largely absent from nature stewardships despite being the majority population, and that most projects use a color-blind approach that masks systemic racial inequities at personal, place-making, and ecological levels.
Equity & displacementCommunityGreen Innovation: The Vital Role of Go Green Communities in Pakistan's Environmental Conservation
2024Waseem Ahmed Khattak · International Assulta of Research and Engagement (IARE) · Pakistan
"Go Green communities" in Pakistan were studied as grassroots movements promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, activities included waste management, urban gardening, and policy advocacy. The initiative demonstrated increased community involvement in eco-friendly efforts, leading to tangible outcomes such as waste segregation systems and enhanced green spaces. However, challenges including financial limitations, resistance from industries, and restricted access to green technologies highlighted the need for stronger institutional support.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyClimate changeFood educationUrban Agriculture and the Right to the City: A Practitioner’s Roadmap
2024Arild Eriksen, Deni Ruggeri, Esben Slaatrem Titland · The Geojournal library · Norway (Oslo)
This essay discusses the motivations for co-creating urban agriculture in public spaces from the perspective of an architect and urban farmer/beekeeper practicing bottom-up, participatory design in Oslo. It critiques the current aesthetics of impermanence and temporality in urban agriculture and questions the idea that the joy and freedom it brings should be enhanced by future development and policy. The essay presents a rich collection of stories about regeneration, change, and collective action and cultivation, rather than a replicable model.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthFood sovereignty & justiceA study on prevalence of hand discomfort among the gardeners
2024Divya Martolia, Ritu Gupta, Naresh Kumar Chhuneja · Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development · India (Ludhiana)
In Ludhiana city, India, a study investigated the prevalence of hand discomfort among 150 male gardeners from educational institutions, community gardens, and nurseries. Findings revealed that the comfort level for most respondents using gardening hand tools ranged from moderate to low, with increased pain and discomfort reported after using certain tools. The Cornell Hand Discomfort questionnaire showed that the majority experienced slight to moderate pain and discomfort in different hand regions, which interfered with their work performance.
Limited or null effectHealthCommunityThe development process of urban agricultural networks to ensure urban food security in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand
2024Orathai Paiyarat, Uthaithip Jiawiwatkul · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Thailand
This qualitative study examined the development process, results, and influencing factors of the Hat Yai urban agricultural network for food security in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand. Data was collected from 31 participants through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. The study identified a three-stage development process: network formation, seeking cooperation, and learning and integration, with results reflected at individual, group, and network levels linked to sustainable development. Negative factors affecting the development process included the nature of Hat Yai urban residents in a developing country context, resource inadequacy, and public policy.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsUrban Agriculture Embedded in a Food Systems Approach: The Baltimore Story
2024Sarah Buzogany, Abby Cocke, Holly Freishtat, Yeeli Mui, Mariya Strauss, Sylvia Kelly · Urban agriculture · United States (Baltimore)
Baltimore, United States, has developed urban agriculture policies over the last decade, integrating them into a food systems approach to sustainability. Policy development covered zoning, permitting, land leasing, and soil regulations. However, challenges were encountered regarding staffing, funding, resident engagement, and differing city agency priorities, especially concerning land access. The experience highlights the importance of mainstreaming food policy into urban planning.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceEvaluation of Urban Farming System Sustainability in Central Province of Jakarta, Indonesia
2024Rini Fitri, Achmad Yozar Perkasa, Hinijati Widjaja, Olivia Seanders, Reza Fauzı · Tekirdağ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi · Indonesia (Jakarta)
This research evaluated the sustainability of urban farming development in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, using a descriptive qualitative methodology and Multi Dimension Scaling (MDS) approach. While urban residents generally have knowledge and support for urban agriculture, the analysis of four dimensions (ecological, economic, social, technological) indicated that urban farming in Petamburan is not sustainable. The sustainability index was very low, categorized as destructive and unsustainable across ecological (14.55%), economic (13.85%), social (13.94%), and technological (13.43%) dimensions.
Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkageCommunityEconomicsClimate changeAlways Been (English)
2024Yarrow Koning, Sofía Abreu · Occasional Paper Series · United States (Florida)
This abstract describes a nature journaling session held in a community garden as part of an LGBTQ+ youth summer day camp in Florida in summer 2022. The session took place shortly before new anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including the "Don't Say Gay" law, went into effect, which are intended to erase LGBTQ+ people and histories from schools and highlight the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ educators and youth.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationWelfareExploring Floristic Diversity, Propagation Patterns, and Plant Functions in Domestic Gardens across Urban Planning Gradient in Lubumbashi, DR Congo
2024Yannick Useni Sikuzani, Bernard Kisangani Kalonda, Médard Mpanda Mukenza, Jonas Yona Mleci, Alex Mpibwe Kalenga, François Malaisse, Jan Bogaert · Ecologies · DR Congo (Lubumbashi)
This study analyzed the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens across three distinct neighborhoods—planned, unplanned, and residential—in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with exotic species predominating in all neighborhoods (80%), especially in unplanned areas (82.25%). This dominance of exotic species highlights a potential for ecological imbalances and emphasizes the strong human influence on domestic gardens in Lubumbashi.
Environmental trade-offsBiodiversityCommunityUrban–rural linkageParticipatory Development Communication Strategy of an Urban Farming Program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2024Shinta Prastyanti, Retno Wulandari, Adhi Iman Sulaiman · Palabra Clave · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
This study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, examined participatory development communication strategies in urban farming programs using observations, interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings indicate that while the communication strategy embodies community empowerment, the initiative has not been adopted by all community members. Additionally, harvests are limited to daily needs and have not significantly improved group members’ income.
Limited or null effectCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyMain problems in urban agriculture and leverage points to drive it towards sustainability: a review
2024Juan Camilo Fontalvo-Buelvas, María Teresa Pulido Silva, Miguel Ángel Escalona Aguilar · Bitácora Urbano Territorial · Global
A bibliographic review identified that the main deficiencies in urban agriculture are inadequate management practices, a lack of organization, and absent or inefficient public policies. The study suggests that agroecology as a management system, policies for land access and sustainable financing, and dissemination processes are key leverage points for driving urban agriculture towards sustainability.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageDeterminants of the commercialization of urban agricultural products in Bogotá: A case study of the Mhuysqa indigenous cabildo of Bosa
2024Diana Carolina Martínez Quiroga, Juan Carlos Barrientos Fuentes, Cristian Fernando Camargo Muñoz · Agronomía Colombiana · Colombia (Bogotá)
This research identified and analyzed determinants of urban agricultural product commercialization, using the Mhuysqa indigenous community of Bosa, Bogotá, as a case study. Data were collected through documentary research, garden observations, surveys of 33 gardeners, and interviews with four experts. Results show that urban agriculture in the cabildo is multifunctional, but the surplus available for sale is low, at less than 30%. Key determinants for commercialization include establishing and fulfilling objectives, supply volume/quality/frequency, technical production capacities, product presentation, collection/transport costs, payment methods, and having fixed buyers.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityCalidad de agua de huertos urbanos en Valdivia
2024Fernanda Olivares, John Clunes, Susana Valle, Dorota Dec · Agro Sur · Chile (Valdivia)
This study evaluated the quality of irrigation water in urban gardens in Valdivia, Chile, against Chilean standards NCh 1333 and NCh 409. Measured parameters included pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and iron concentration. All urban gardens met the established standards, with the exception of the Collico garden, which showed an elevated iron concentration.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityPengembangan Urban Farming di Kota Surabaya dengan Inovasi Bisnis : Model BMC (Business Model Canvas)
2024Nuriah Yuliati, Eko Nurhadi, Dita Atasa, Stevi Putri Afdolvina Baik · Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Agribisnis · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This qualitative study analyzed urban farming business innovation in Surabaya, Indonesia, using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) model across five Women Farming Groups (KWT) and Farmer Groups (Poktan). Findings showed that KWT Guyub Rukun had the lowest revenue, while Poktan Serpis had the highest. The study concluded that low revenue was due to income solely from crop sales and having only one main partner, indicating a limitation in revenue streams for some groups.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageTesting an Urban Green Space Impression Evaluation Scale for Urban Rooftop Gardens
2024Hayato IIDA, Yasushi Kyutoku, Wakana KUDO, Yoshiki HARADA · Transactions of Japan Society of Kansei Engineering · Japan (Tokyo)
This study investigated whether the UGS (Urban Green Space Scale), an impression evaluation scale for Tokyo's urban green spaces, could assess impressions of two urban rooftop gardens with flat versus stepped spatial configurations. Based on an online questionnaire (N=670), confirmatory factor analyses indicated a poor or unacceptable fit of urban rooftop gardens to the UGS. Exploratory factor analyses yielded different factor structures, suggesting that new scales are required for evaluating impressions of urban rooftop gardens.
Methodological critiqueHealthCommunity“It's about how you use your privilege”: Privilege, Power, and Social (In)justice in Berlin's Community Food Spaces
2024Ophélie Véron · Antipode · Germany (Berlin)
This paper, based on activist ethnography in Berlin's community gardens, people's kitchens, and co-operative projects, explores how community food spaces reproduce, exacerbate, or dismantle power relations and socio-environmental injustices. It systematically examines exclusion and inclusion dynamics, arguing that diversity alone is not a sufficient indicator of social equity and can overshadow forms of injustice. The study exposes the complex, dual nature of Berlin's food activist landscape, where privilege and power contribute to social inequities.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceIrrigated urban agriculture: a mixture of farming scales, water flows and actors in Nairobi, Kenya
2024Arcadius Martinien Agassin Ahogle, Sammy Letema · Water International · Kenya (Nairobi)
This article examines the dynamics of irrigated urban agriculture (IUA) and its socio-technical arrangements in the Nairobi catchment, Kenya. The research identified five principal forms of IUA, differentiated by land size, water sources, technicality, actors, and market orientation. A critical finding is that city services do not provide hydraulic infrastructure or agricultural extension for IUA, and state agencies do not account for IUA practices, indicating a lack of governance support.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunity