Research & reports

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

5 results

• Challenges of Urban Agricultural Production from the Aspects of Plant Protection and Food Safety

  2024

  Dragana Šunjka, Sanja Lazić, Slavica Vuković, Siniša Berjan, Hamid El Bilali · · Serbia

  This chapter examines the food safety of urban agriculture systems in the Republic of Serbia through selected case studies. It highlights that agricultural products from urban production may be contaminated by polluted soil, water, and air, as well as by pesticides, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, nitrate and nitrite, and mycotoxins. The study emphasizes the need for strict control and reduction of synthetic pesticides and other agrochemicals in urban agriculture.

  Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureDIY
  Read source →DOI: 10.1201/9781003359425-13

• Potential And Need of Urban Horticulture for A Sustainable Future

  2023

  Mansi I. Bhati and R.K. Dubey · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

  Urban horticulture, a new concept for growing family-sufficient food in urban and peri-urban areas, is gaining importance. However, environmental challenges for urban farming in urban environments include soil contamination, micro-climate alteration and air pollution, and contaminated water resources. Appropriate guidelines for urban and peri-urban agricultural practices are required.

  Contamination & food safetyDIYPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justice
  Read source →DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7947370

• Addressing Urban Mal- and Undernourishment through Sustainable Home Gardens

  2020

  H. Tayal Neeraj · · Global

  This chapter explores the potential of home gardening, as part of urban agriculture, to contribute to human health through improved nutrition. While home gardens can provide nutrient-dense foods, the potential health impact of soil contamination must be addressed, as urbanized soils tend to have elevated levels of heavy metals and other toxins.

  Contamination & food safetyHealthDIYFood educationWelfare
  Read source →DOI: 10.1201/9780367822736-6

• Potential of Technosols Created with Urban By-Products for Rooftop Edible Production

  2020

  Baptiste Grard, Nastaran Manouchehri, Christine Aubry, Nathalie Frascaria‐Lacoste, Claire Chenu · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Global

  A five-year experimental trial quantified the food production potential, soil fertility, and potential contamination of Technosols created from urban wastes for rooftop edible production. The cropping system showed promising results for food production and maintained high fertility. However, a concern was identified regarding the trace metal content of certain edible crops, specifically zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), although most trace metal levels were below existing norms.

  Contamination & food safetyDIYCompostOrganic cycleHealth
  Read source →DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093210

• The role of green roof technology in urban agriculture

  2011

  Leigh Whittinghill, D. Bradley Rowe · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Global

  Urban agriculture faces limitations including competition for space, lack of formalized land use rights, and health hazards from food contamination. Green roof technology is proposed as a method to alleviate these issues, potentially reducing the use of contaminated land and water at ground level. However, for large-scale implementation, installation costs must be reduced, roof weight limitations assessed, and appropriate management practices developed.

  Contamination & food safetyDIYHealthPolicyClimate change
  Read source →DOI: 10.1017/s174217051100038x