Research & reports

Demoundou Namodji, Ndoutorlengar Medard · International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education · Chad

This article notes that while urban agriculture is protected and encouraged by governments in developed countries like Japan, in Africa, urban farmers often face repressive measures from urban administrators or planners. Despite its role as a safety valve for low-income households, urban agriculture in Africa is subject to these restrictive governmental actions.

Zhong Xing, Canhui Cheng, Yu Qiao, Junyue Yang, Hao Ma, Jian Yang, Xiaomin Du · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · China (Chongqing)

This study investigated informal community growing in Yongchuan, Chongqing, Southwest China, using a field survey and semantic differential questionnaire. It found that growers, mainly vulnerable groups, use traditional methods to cultivate diverse fruits and vegetables on barren slopes, creating a local food supply for economic gain and green food acquisition. Both growers and non-growers expressed satisfaction with food supply and economic benefits, but dissatisfaction with environmental and social benefits and the planting process.

Nicola C. Thomas, Anders Blok · Nature and Culture · Denmark (Copenhagen)

This study analyzes the social and political conditions of urban allotment gardens in Copenhagen, which are specially protected as valuable urban nature. It finds that asymmetric civic-public compromises, while enabling protection, result in new material conflicts between civic and municipal actors. These conflicts are linked to unresolved competing visions of civic, green, and market sustainability in urban development.

Caroline Burner, William R. Veal · Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education · Global

This case study evaluated The Green Thumb Project's eight-week Youth Internship Program in an urban community garden, assessing 12 participants' changes in career preparedness skills, healthy living attitudes, and content knowledge using mixed methods. Results indicated the program was effective in positively changing all interns' skills, attitudes, and knowledge. Significant positive relationships between these areas suggested that learning gains in one area contributed to gains in others, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in personal, professional, and academic growth.

Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik, Laura Wheeler, Katherine Vela, Michelle Parslow, David N. Joy · Science Activities · Global

This study introduces the Three Sisters Garden activity within a 3-H Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Cycle for secondary school students. This activity teaches biodiversity and sustainability, encouraging students to connect their own need for social connections with plant growth. Students enhance their sense of participation in the scientific process by analyzing gardens from a systems perspective.

Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · International journal on food system dynamics · Norway (Oslo)

This study conducted a contingent valuation survey in Oslo, Norway, to assess citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for non-commercial (community gardens, educational gardens) and commercial (aquaponics, vertical farming) urban agriculture. The results indicate that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to support the further development of urban farming in the city.

Aaron Anderson, Lucas Costner, Lincoln R. Best, Gail Langellotto · Conservation Science and Practice · United States

This study compared the attractiveness of 23 native Pacific Northwest plant species to bees over three field seasons, using timed bee counts and vacuum sampling. It found that Douglas' aster, California poppy, varileaf phacelia, Canada goldenrod, farewell-to-spring, globe gilia, and Oregon sunshine consistently supported high bee abundance and species richness. These findings can inform urban pollinator conservation efforts in gardens and public spaces.

Petra Schneider, Tino Fauk · · Global

A study based on a literature review and field survey conducted from 2017 to 2020 in Ecuador, Germany, Sweden, Uganda, and Vietnam, examined the role of allotment gardens (AGs) in connecting nature and people. Allotment gardens provide substantial urban ecosystem services, contribute to habitat connectivity, and significantly impact human health. Beyond food production and recreation, they offer crucial benefits for public health, wellbeing, social inclusion, the environment, and serve as cultural archives, with their intrinsic purpose being connectivity for habitats, people, ecosystem services, and circular flux management.

Ranjan Datta, Jean Kayira, Prarthona Datta · · Global

This chapter explores how land-based environmental education fosters cross-cultural, community-led climate change resilience, especially for children and youth. Focusing on a relational approach in a cross-cultural community garden, the authors investigated how land-based learning builds community connectedness and revitalizes knowledge, languages, and practices. The study found that this approach creates an intercultural and intergenerational space to address climate change challenges and celebrate successes.

Faiz Albar Nasution, Yofiendi Indah Indainanto, Andry Anshari, Muhammad Imanuddin Kandias Saraan, Piki Darma Kristian Pardede, Imam Fahreza · Journal of Peasants’ Rights · Indonesia

This qualitative descriptive study, using a literature review approach, examines how Medan City's agricultural policies can enhance food independence and improve the economy. The findings indicate that urban agriculture plays a significant role in community empowerment through food self-sufficiency and can create new work opportunities. Increased cooperation between local governments and the community, supported by policy protection and aid for plant management and marketing, is critical for its success.

Brandon Edwards-Schuth, Marco Cerqueira · Northwest Journal of Teacher Education · Global

This paper suggests that an anti-fascist guerrilla gardening (Plantifa) curriculum provides educational opportunities for community activism. It utilizes anti-fascist, decolonizing, and eco-justice frameworks to connect learners with their communities, local ecosystems, history, and permaculture. The curriculum involves mapping local terrain, identifying plants, and considering food-bearing plants for community needs.

Juliana Silva Barbosa, Luiz Fernando de Sousa Antunes, Marta dos Santos Freire Ricci, Mariella Camardelli Uzêda · Fronteiras Journal of Social Technological and Environmental Science · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)

This research aimed to understand the importance of fairs for the commercialization and strengthening of urban agriculture (AU) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using interviews and participant observation, the study found that selling produce at fairs is the primary source of income for most urban farmers. It also noted that 60% of interviewed farmers have another source of income, and those without other income sources sell produce at multiple locations to sustain their families through AU.

Ade Astri Muliasari, Hidayati Fatchur R, Faranita Ratih L, Doni Sahat Tua Manalu · Community Development Journal Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Bogor)

An urban farming program was implemented in Cihideung Ilir Village, Bogor Regency, Indonesia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming for food security. This community service activity targeted female cadres of PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment), providing education on the importance of urban farming and training in cultivation skills. Program evaluation results indicated success, evidenced by the participants' enthusiasm.

Janet Music, Charlotte Large, Sylvain Charlebois, Kydra Mayhew · Local Environment · Canada

This systematic scoping review revealed the extent of existing knowledge regarding the governance and management of urban grassroots agri-food organizations in Canada. Among Canadian studies, 15 were qualitative case studies, 11 were exploration/analysis papers, one was a literature review, and one was a quantitative analysis. It was found that for greater success in urban agriculture, municipal policymakers need to intentionally and radically shift policy to plan for and integrate urban agriculture networks into the urban environment without taking over the networks themselves. The review also indicated a lack of broad research into the influence of gender dynamics on the organization and management of urban agriculture or community gardens.

Michele Hartmann Feyh · Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável · Brazil

A community garden was implemented in Vila Buritis II, Planaltina, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil, a socially vulnerable urban area with low purchasing power. The garden transformed an idle area into a productive space, planting 27 edible species, and 30 to 40 residents regularly visit to collect food. However, the maintenance and increase of garden productivity still require technical assistance and resources.

Margaret Marcy Emerson · Digital Commons - LIU Promoting Scholarship and Creative Work of LIU Students, Faculty, and Staff (Long Island University) · United States

In 2019, an estimated 35% of all food was lost or wasted in the U.S., and organic waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting significantly cuts the amount of food going into landfills, reducing climate and environmental impacts. Compost enhances soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, improves soil water retention, provides carbon sequestration, and local composting conserves energy and reduces transport emissions.

Doctor S. Nkosi, Thembani Moyo, Innocent Musonda · Land · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This study developed a GIS-based planning support system to identify, quantify, and visualize an index for urban agricultural land in marginalized areas. Using Greater Orange Farm, a marginalized area in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, as a case study, indigenous knowledge systems were incorporated through the Charrette visioning process for formulating criteria, weights, and rulesets. The results revealed spatial sites ranked by an index where sustainable investment in urban agriculture infrastructure and supporting programs should be targeted.

Puti Praharypha Rizkhy, Ida Widianingsih, Ramadhan Pancasialwan · JANE - Jurnal Administrasi Negara · Indonesia (Bandung)

This article describes how Bandung City, Indonesia, adapted to food security challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through its "Buruan Sae" Urban Agriculture program, implemented since 2014. The program, active in nearly 151 urban villages, aims to increase public awareness for self-provision of food and has contributed to the city not experiencing food availability problems since the pandemic began.

Dongqing Wang, Leonard K. Katalambula, Andrea R Modest, Tara A. Young, Abbas Ismail, Mary Mwanyika‐Sando, Amani Tinkasimile, Dominic Mosha, Augustine Malero, Said Vuai, Wafaie Fawzi · BMJ Open · Tanzania

This study is a protocol for the Meals, Education, and Gardens for In-School Adolescents (MEGA) project, a cluster-randomized controlled trial aiming to implement and evaluate an integrated, school-based nutrition intervention package among secondary schools in the Chamwino District of Dodoma, Tanzania. Six public secondary schools will be assigned to three different arms, receiving either the full intervention, a partial intervention, or serving as controls. The intervention will be implemented for one academic year, with baseline and end-line quantitative data collected from 750 adolescents and 750 parents.

Ee-Wei Then, Meenchee Hong · Journal of Regional and City Planning · Malaysia (Penang Island)

This study investigated the likelihood of rooftop farming and its determinants among residents on Penang Island, Malaysia. Data collected from 323 Penangites living in high-rise residential buildings revealed that 65% of respondents were likely to participate in rooftop farming. The ordered Probit model estimated that awareness of rooftop farming's potential benefits, environmental knowledge and awareness, and environmental consciousness and perception are important factors determining participation likelihood.

Abdolzaher Ghezeljeh, Jutta Gutberlet, Denise Cloutier · Canadian Geographies / Géographies canadiennes · Canada (Victoria)

This study used qualitative research methods to explore the main barriers to urban agriculture as perceived by community-based groups in Victoria, British Columbia. Data from 18 semi-structured interviews and two community mapping workshops with residents, government officials, and non-governmental groups revealed "urban agriculture zones" and "garden-style" apartment housing as important avenues. However, progress towards far-reaching changes requires an efficient urban agriculture development process, including creating site inventories, increasing stakeholder participation, reducing waitlists, and tackling high land prices.

Contingent Horizons · Contingent Horizons The York University Student Journal of Anthropology · Canada (Winnipeg)

This paper uses the Rainbow Community Garden in Winnipeg as a case study to discuss the benefits and challenges of community gardening for new immigrant and refugee families. Through a literature review and interviews with gardeners, the study emphasizes the role of food and community gardens in facilitating cross-cultural interactions, providing culturally appropriate food, and expressing cultural identity. The main conclusion is that for new immigrant and refugee participation, a garden is not only physical soil but also an important place for practicing culture and engaging in meaningful cross-cultural interaction beneficial for adjusting to a new life in Canada.

Annisa Nurulita Hasani, Muhammad Hasan, Citra Ayni Kamaruddin, Nurdiana Nurdiana, Nurjannah Nurjannah · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pembangunan dan Pendidikan Vokasi Pertanian · Indonesia (Makassar)

This qualitative descriptive study, using observation and interviews with purposive sampling, analyzed the development of urban agriculture potential and innovations managed by KWT Anggrek in Makassar City, Indonesia. The research aimed to identify potential developments and applicable innovations, finding that active roles from the community, government, and agricultural extension workers are needed. Key indicators included resource effectiveness, sustainability, ICT utilization, agricultural environmental potential, existing innovations, and development constraints.

Rose Seguin, Mark Lefsrud, Treena Delormier, Jan Adamowski, Helen Fyles · ARCTIC · Canada

This review explores interregional differences in agricultural development across circumpolar Canada, including Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. Yukon and the Northwest Territories are the most agriculturally developed, with government support for commercial agriculture. In contrast, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut have fewer agricultural initiatives, though local efforts exist for community gardens and greenhouses.

Kimihiro Hino, Takahiro Yamazaki, Akiko Iida, Kentaro Harada, Makoto Yokohari · Landscape and Urban Planning · Japan (Tokyo)

This study evaluated the contribution of five types of activities in productive urban landscapes (PULs) to physical activity among 80 Tokyo residents using accelerometers and activity diaries. Older participants frequently engaged in these activities, spending a high percentage of their total energy expenditure, with satoyama woodlands averaging approximately one-third of national weekly recommendations for older adults. Total daily energy expenditure was significantly higher on workdays (1.18 to 1.36 times non-workdays), and hourly energy expenditure in PULs was comparable to public parks.