Research & reports

Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.

2 results

• Successes and challenges of a university-based agroecological community garden and educational program in Japan

  2023

  Benjamin Schrager, Hiroki Ikeda, Takahashi Yukitsugu · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Japan

  This article explores Utsunomiya University’s Eco-programs, which combine a pesticide-free community garden with an educational series, using ethnographic data. Findings indicate tensions between the Eco-programs' agroecological goals and other institutional goals at the university. Despite these conflicts, the programs provide a space for agroecological gardening and serve as an example of an alternative agricultural initiative in Japan.

  Governance failureCommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justicePolicy
  Read source →DOI: 10.5304/jafscd.2023.124.011

• Urban Agriculture as a Sustainability Transition Strategy for Shrinking Cities? Land Use Change Trajectory as an Obstacle in Kyoto City, Japan

  2018

  Kimisato Oda, Christoph Rupprecht, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Steven R. McGreevy · Sustainability · Japan (Kyoto)

  A study in Kyoto City, Japan, examined agricultural land use from 2007–2017 to assess urban agriculture as a sustainability strategy for shrinking cities. Analysis revealed a 10% decline (209 ha) in agricultural land use over ten years, with main post-agricultural uses being residential (40%) and vacant land (28%). The findings indicate that Kyoto City is not currently positioned to benefit from population decline through localized food production.

  Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkagePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceClimate change
  Read source →DOI: 10.3390/su10041048