Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2015 results(70 / 81)
THE OCCURRENCE OF LEAD IN SOIL AND VEGETABLES AT A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA
2012Jodi L. Sangster, Andrew Nelson, Shannon L. Bartelt‐Hunt · International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship · United States (Omaha)
Soil and vegetable samples were collected from a community garden in Omaha, Nebraska, which had known soil lead contamination. Total lead content was evaluated using atomic absorption spectroscopy, revealing lead concentrations in soil ranging from 4 to 574 ppm, with an average of 128.4 ppm in growing beds and 31.5 ppm in OmaGro compost. Lead was also present in vegetable samples at or below 16.25 ppm.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthFeasibility Study and Best Practices for a Campus Community Garden on the University of Arkansas Campus
2012Samantha Jones · Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science · United States (Arkansas)
To assess the feasibility of a campus community garden at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (UAF), an online survey of 88 campus community gardens in the United States and Canada, visits to six gardens, and interviews with UAF students, faculty, staff, and administration members were conducted. The study determined that a campus community garden at UAF was feasible if identified challenges and obstacles were properly addressed. This research identified seven best practices for campus community gardens.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyTrace Element Soil Contamination at Urban Community Gardens in Washington, DC
2012Adam J Long · Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) · United States (Washington, DC)
This study investigated heavy metal soil contaminants in 13 urban community gardens in Washington, DC, analyzing 45 soil samples using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). While most samples fell below US EPA action levels for common contaminants, high concentrations of lead (above the US EPA action level of 400 ppm) were found in the native soil of three garden sites, meriting concern due to potential health problems in children.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceCould Toronto Provide 10% of its Fresh Vegetable Requirements from Within its Own Boundaries? Part II, Policy Supports and Program Design
2012Rod MacRae, Joe Nar, James Kuhns, Lauren Baker, Russ Christianson, Martin Danyluk, Abra Snider, Eric V. Gallant, Penny Kaill-Vinish, Marc Michalak, Janet Oswald, Sima Patel, Gerda R. Wekerle · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Canada (Toronto)
This paper, focusing on Toronto, identifies subtle impediments to scaling up urban agriculture beyond self-provisioning, despite land not being an insurmountable barrier. These include taxation systems assuming agriculture is a strictly rural activity, inadequate knowledge sharing among urban producers, limited access to soil, water, and seeds, and a lack of incentives for landowners. Achieving 10% of the city's commercial fresh vegetable demand requires significant policy and program initiatives in five key areas, including governance, coordination, and financing.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityThe Consideration of Progressive Urban Park and The Possibility of Urban Agricultural Park
2012Hee-Jeong Yun, Mi-Kyoung Cho · Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning · South Korea
This study critically considers the new paradigm of urban parks, noting that despite progress, urban parks face increased criticism. Criticisms include long development periods for tree growth, limitations in general and cultural ecology, and a lack of economic validity. The study proposes urban agricultural parks as an alternative, connecting them to sustainable regional development and low-carbon society.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageReturning to the Roots: Urban Farming and Environmentalism in Detroit
2012Kevin Wonch · Hope College Digital Commons (Hope College) · United States (Detroit)
This study examines urban farming in Detroit, a city experiencing rapid decline with a population under a million, limited access to fresh food stores, and extensive vacant land. While arguing for modern urban farming as a foundation for sustainable practices and positive development, it notes that some political and business analysts question its ability to make a significant impact on the city’s future.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeCommunitySlum politics
2012Martijn Koster, Pieter A. de Vries · Focaal · Brazil (Recife)
This article examined slum dwellers' politics in Recife, Brazil, as a realm of possibility where care and recognition are central. A community leader's urban agriculture project, which from an outsider's perspective might be considered non-viable, provided slum dwellers with possibilities to strive for community solidarity and personal recognition. The article concludes that slum politics is about claiming the right to be counted and recognized, and about the care for the other.
Economic viabilityCommunityWelfareFood sovereignty & justiceTime and Self-Valorization Freedom from Work Thr ough Work, an EJ Perspective on Work, Capital, and the Environment
2012Sjsu ScholarWorks, Gabriel R. Valle · · United States
This paper explores the self-valorization of work in community gardens as a path to environmental justice, arguing that community gardens disrupt capital's system by removing food as a commodity and revaluing time outside market-driven speed. The Chicano community, being susceptible to workplace inequalities, has a particular stake in this self-valorization, as these inequalities are reflected in unhealthy communities, economies, and environments. The study suggests that self-valorization through work creates natural wealth, reconstructing time, oppression, and communities.
Equity & displacementCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceHealthMarseille et ses natures: permeabilites spatiales, segmentations sociales Marseille e suas naturezas: permeabilidades espaciais, segmentações sociais Marseille and its Natures: Spacial Permeabilities, Social Segmentations
2012Cécilia Claeys, Jean-Noël Consalès, Carole Barthélémy · · France (Marseille)
This paper re-examines the question of nature in the city through emerging environmental paradigms, using Marseille, a French Mediterranean city, as a case study. An interdisciplinary analysis combining sociology and geography revealed that new modes of urban and suburban nature management (e.g., National Park, greenways, community gardens) question spatial boundaries between wild and artificial. However, the uses of these spaces are still marked by persistent social segmentations.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageAssessing and managing soil quality for urban agriculture in Ohio
2012Josh Beniston · The Knowledge Bank (The Ohio State University) · United States (Ohio)
An experiment on assessing and managing soil quality for urban agriculture was conducted during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons on demolished vacant urban lots in Youngstown, Ohio. Soil compaction was identified as a primary constraint, with high bulk density values of 1.79 g cm⁻³ for in-ground plots and 1.55 g cm⁻³ for raised beds. Crop yield data from 2011 showed that both compost-amended and compost + biochar-amended plots had significantly greater crop yields than control plots, with compost + biochar plots achieving the highest harvest index values.
Contamination & food safetyOrganic cycleCompostHealthThe 2009 Late Blight Pandemic in the Eastern United States – Causes and Results
2012William E. Fry, M. T. McGrath, Abby Seaman, Thomas A. Zitter, A. McLeod, Giovanna Danies, Ian M. Small, Kevin Myers, Kathryne L. Everts, Amanda J. Gevens, Beth K. Gugino, Sara B. Johnson, Howard S. Judelson, Jean B. Ristaino, Pamela Roberts, Gary A. Secor, K. W. Seebold, K. Snover-Clift, A. Wyenandt, Niklaus J. Grünwald, Christine D. Smart · Plant Disease · United States
The 2009 tomato late blight pandemic in the eastern United States resulted in significant crop losses for many home gardeners and organic producers. This event led to widespread questions regarding its causes and differences from previous epidemics.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiFood lossClimate changeAfter the Storms: South Louisiana Sustainable Food System Assessment in light of Environmental Natural Disasters Hurricanes Katrina & Rita
2012Toni Y. Sims-Muhammad · · United States (South Louisiana)
This project examined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on existing food systems in Lafayette, Acadia, Evangeline, St Martin, and St Landry parishes, with a focus on home and community gardens. The researcher interviewed 57 home/community gardeners and farmers and conducted a survey on pre- and post-Katrina/Rita food sustainability problems, challenges, and perspectives on future food systems.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceMaterial Ecocriticism: Dirt, Waste, Bodies, Food, and Other Matter
2012D. Z. Phillips, Heather I. Sullivan · ISLE Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment · United States
This collection of essays for ISLE assesses the material aspects of healthy economies, environments, and bodies, arguing that the traditional economic-ecological "health" dichotomy is insufficient. It finds that the determination of "healthy" is complex, as artificial environments can be benign, and even a flourishing community garden can have neglected produce going to waste. The essays explore how a large number of healthy human bodies can be detrimental to healthy environments.
Limited or null effectCommunityFood lossOrganic cycleAttitudes of Women Farmers towards Urban Agriculture in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria
2012A. Yusuf · · Nigeria (Lagos State)
This study assessed the attitudes of 50 women farmers towards urban agriculture in the Somolu local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Findings indicated that the women's attitude towards urban agriculture was extremely negative. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between attitude and age, marital status, educational level, years of experience, and access to loans. However, farm size, annual income, access to labor, and access to inputs were statistically insignificant.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsCultivating the City: Urban Agriculture and Agrarian Questions in Brooklyn, New York
2012Evan Weissman · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University) · United States (New York City)
This dissertation explores urban agriculture in Brooklyn, New York, using a mixed-methods analysis to investigate its historical changes, motivations for engagement, and outcomes. The study argues that Brooklyn's urban agriculture is limited by its neoliberal characteristics, which undermine its potential to build a radical political movement around food issues. While urban agriculture tends to reproduce neoliberalism, it simultaneously creates political possibilities through the assertion of public rights to cultivate the city and the potential of food to serve as a tool for building solidarities towards food justice.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceThe Analysis of Urban Agriculture Development in Malaysia
2012Rabiul Islam, Chamhuri Siwar · Advances in Environmental Biology · Malaysia
This research analyzed the current situation and future potential of urban agriculture in Malaysia using a literature review. Study participants demonstrated a relatively greater awareness of environmental and community benefits of urban agriculture compared to food security, health, or economic benefits. Malaysian urban agriculture was found to be constrained by a lack of adequate land use planning, weak support for urban farmers, and an absence of an integrated development approach. Major challenges identified included perceptions of limited space, limited resources, and education.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityLes défis et les perspectives de l’agriculture urbaine
2012Stefan Reyburn · Environnement urbain · Global
This abstract is an article on the challenges and prospects of urban agriculture, published in the journal Urban Environment via the Érudit platform. This abstract does not contain detailed content regarding specific challenges or prospects related to urban agriculture governance.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyUrban agriculture in Senegal: effect of wastewater on the agronomical performance and hygienic quality of tomato and lettuce
2012Y. Niang, S. Niang, Saliou Niassy, Y Dieng, Mohamed Gaye, K. Diarra · International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences · Senegal
This study assessed the effect of wastewater on the agronomical performance and hygienic quality of tomato and lettuce in Senegal, comparing it to tap water, irrigation modes, and fertilizers. While tomato showed no pathogenic germs with wastewater, lettuce watered with wastewater via aspersion contained significantly more pathogenic germs than those watered in draining mode. Significant differences in yield and fruit size were observed between lettuce treated with tap water and wastewater.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleFinancing urban agriculture
2012Yves Cabannes · Environment and Urbanization · Global
This action research, conducted by local teams in 17 cities across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, investigated how urban farmers finance their activities. The study found that urban farmers primarily rely on their own resources, and a lack of access to financing is a major bottleneck for maintaining and expanding their operations. It also identified gaps between farmers' needs and existing public and private financial practices.
Economic viabilityEconomicsPolicyConcentrations of Heavy Metals and Pesticide Residues in Leafy Vegetables and Implications for Peri-urban Farming in Nairobi, Kenya
2012Nancy Karanja, Mary Njenga, G.K. Mutua, Carl Johan Lagerkvist, E. Kutto, JJ Okello · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Kenya (Nairobi)
A study in three peri-urban sites in Nairobi, Kenya, assessed heavy metal, nitrate, and pesticide residue levels in wastewater-irrigated kale. Elevated levels of boron, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, and nickel were found in vegetables at two sites, with high soil loadings of nickel, arsenic, lead, chromium, copper, and zinc attributed to chicken manure. Pesticide residues of diazinon, cypermethrin, biternol, and profenofos exceeded permissible limits in kale at one site, suggesting consumers may ingest significant amounts of contaminants.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureUrban Livelihoods under a Changing Climate*: Perspectives on Urban Agriculture and Planning in Lusaka, Zambia
2012Danny Simatele, Tony Binns, Munacinga Simatele · Journal of Human Development and Capabilities · Zambia (Lusaka)
This field-based research in Lusaka, Zambia, examines the impact of climate change and urban governance on urban agriculture, which serves as a source of food and income for poor households amidst deteriorating economies. The study finds that urban agriculture is often excluded from urban development and planning policy, posing significant challenges for small-scale farmers to achieve food security. A lack of policies supporting the urban poor, combined with climatic changes like drought and flooding, makes it difficult for households to adapt to the changing urban environment.
Governance failureClimate changePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareNo. 16: The State of Food Insecurity in Msunduzi Municipality, South Africa
2012Mary Caesar, Jonathan Crush, Trevor Hill · Scholars Commons (Wilfrid Laurier University) · South Africa (Msunduzi Municipality)
A study on food security in Msunduzi Municipality, South Africa, was part of AFSUN's baseline survey across eleven Southern African cities. The survey found that urban poor in Msunduzi are significantly worse off than those in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with one-third of households reporting frequent food shortages. Urban agriculture is not particularly significant in Msunduzi, and while supermarket supply chains dominate the food system, they do not meet the needs of the poor.
Limited or null effectWelfareEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceSuitability of urban wastes for crop production in Zaria, northern Nigeria: bioavailability and geochemical fractions of potentially toxic elements
2012Sebastian U. Ugbaje, John O. Agbenin · International Journal of Environmental Studies · Nigeria
A pot experiment in Zaria, northern Nigeria, evaluated the chemical forms and phytoavailability of Cr, Ni, and Pb in savannah soil amended with two urban wastes and planted with sorghum. While urban waste application increased total metal concentrations in the soil, only Pb uptake by sorghum increased, with no corresponding increases for Cr and Ni. A single application of urban wastes significantly increased Pb uptake by sorghum, raising concerns about the long-term consequences of such applications in urban and peri-urban agriculture, especially regarding children's exposure to Pb.
Contamination & food safetyOrganic cycleHealthAgricultura urbana e conservação de agrobiodiversidade: um estudo de caso em Mato Grosso, Brasil
2012Mirella Cultrera, Maria Christina de Mello Amorozo, Fábio Cop Ferreira · SITIENTIBUS série Ciências Biológicas · Brazil (Mato Grosso)
An ethnobotanical study in five peripheral neighborhoods of Santo Antônio do Leverger, Mato Grosso, Brazil, surveyed 135 households and detailed 30 to characterize food plant cultivation. Ninety-seven species from 38 families were identified across homegardens, fields, and empty lots. While some species were common, the similarity between species/varieties across households was generally below 50%, and many had low frequency, revealing a vulnerability to species loss despite social network circulation.
Limited or null effectBiodiversityCommunityHeirloom & landraceUrban–rural linkageThe purpose of urban food production in developed countries
2012Silvio Caputo · Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) · United Kingdom
This paper argues for a new role for urban agriculture in developed countries, focusing on environmental, social, and economic benefits. While urban agriculture can contribute to a low-carbon society and food access, it is not currently part of UK government strategies for food security. For urban agriculture to achieve its potential, it needs to become economically viable, requiring research into highly productive methods and business models utilizing local urban resources.
Economic viabilityPolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate change