Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
385 results(12 / 16)
The case for citizen science in urban agriculture research
2017Georgia Pollard, Philip Roetman, James Ward · Kobra (Universitätsbibliothek Kassel) · Australia (South Australia)
While urban agriculture is seen as a sustainable approach to improving food security, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the financial accessibility of urban food production for all households. If urban agriculture remains primarily a middle-class discretionary activity, its role in city-wide food security improvement will be limited. This paper demonstrates that citizen science offers an effective approach to investigate the inputs (labor, costs, water use) and outputs (produce yields, value) of urban food gardens, using the Edible Gardens project in South Australia as an example.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityHealthDIYEconomic assessment system towards sustainable composting quality in the developing countries
2016· Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy · Global
Proposes an economic assessment framework aimed at achieving sustainable composting quality in low-cost, small-scale composting contexts in developing countries.
DIYCompostEconomicsEvaluating the Efficiency of Wicking Bed Irrigation Systems for Small-Scale Urban Agriculture
2016· Horticulturae · Australia
Compares DIY wicking beds (capillary rise from a self-contained coarse-material reservoir) with precision surface irrigation using tomato, finding equal or better water use efficiency and yield with fewer irrigation events.
DIYSmallholder Drip Irrigation in Burkina Faso: The Role of Development Brokers
2016· The Journal of Development Studies · Burkina Faso
Analyses the diffusion of smallholder drip irrigation in Burkina Faso, focusing on the role of development brokers.
DIYPolicyEmergent approaches to urban gardening
2016Silvio Caputo, Eva Schwab, Kostas Tsiambaos, Mary Benson, Hervé Bonnavaud, Neslihan Demircan, Tim Delshammar, Frederico Meireles, Nerea Morán, Jeanne Pourias · · Global
This chapter provides an overview of emergent approaches to urban gardening, identifying urban dynamics and spatial implications. It notes that a lack of suitable urban land and difficulties in establishing constructive dialogue with local authorities regarding land provision can lead to the use of interstitial urban spaces for gardening practices. An example includes a community-based organization constructing a permaculture garden on a supermarket rooftop, highlighting challenges in land access and governance.
Governance failureCommunityDIYPolicyNorwegian allotment gardens — a study of motives and benefits
2016Helena Nordh, Kristin Tuv Wiklund, Kaja Elisabeth Koppang · Landscape Research · Norway
This study interviewed 33 plot holders in Oslo, Norway, to explore their reasons for engaging in urban allotment gardens (AGs) and the perceived benefits. Reasons included a desire for a safe play environment for children, a place to cultivate, and outdoor contact. Benefits were related to meaningful activities, social networks, and respite from urban life, indicating physical and psychological health benefits.
CommunityHealthDIYLos medios de comunicación y el surgimiento de la cultura agrícola urbana en Venezuela || The Media and the Rise of Urban Farming Culture in Venezuela
2016Irama Flores · Razón y Palabra · Venezuela
This work reflects on the relationship between media communication and the promotion of urban agriculture, and the creation of a new agricultural culture in Venezuelan cities. The essay focuses on the rescue of values rooted in planting, against a backdrop where reduced production of staple items and black market premium sales, coupled with high inflation, violate food access. It also considers how urban dwellers with an oil culture are now motivated to use their yards or residential areas as nurseries to grow their own food to ensure food security during scarcity.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityFood educationDIYDesain Apartemen Dengan Pendekatan Edible Landscape
2016Andrew Syah Wicaksana · Jurnal Sains dan Seni ITS · Global
This study proposes apartment designs using an edible landscape approach to address continuous population growth, urbanization, climate change, and pressure on natural resources. This design aims to bring positive psychological and practical influences towards a productive and conducive lifestyle in urban environments. The design approach is extrinsic (nature) and environmentally-oriented (ecological design), utilizing Donna P. Duerck's "Architecture Programming" method and Rob Krier's theory of architectural composition.
DIYClimate changeCommunityPolicyHow Can We Best Use Our School Garden Space? Exploring the Concepts of Area and Perimeter in an Authentic Learning Context.
2016Sarah Selmer, Keri Duncan Valentine, Melissa J. Luna, Sarah Rummel, James Rye · Australian primary mathematics classroom/Australian primary mathematics classroom (Online) · Australia
This article describes students' mathematical journey as they design their own garden beds, using Garden Based Learning (GBL) as an integrated mathematics and science unit. Students engaged in practical learning while exploring the concepts of area and perimeter.
Food educationDIYDiseño de un prototipo de agricultura urbana sustentable a partir de la utilización de residuos sólidos reciclables para la creación de empresa
2016Luis Malagón González · · Global
This research aims to create a company by designing a prototype for sustainable urban agriculture, utilizing recycled and reused elements to facilitate human management and integration with the natural environment.
DIYOrganic cycleEconomicsHardware Software Interface: a Strategy for the implementation of Urban Agriculture
2016Greg Keeffe · Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast) · Global
This paper proposes a "Hardware-Software-Interface" model to understand urban agriculture, which differs from conventional agriculture in technology, crop choice, and market approach. "Hardware" refers to the technological components, including aquaponics or soil-based methods, adapted for small scales and potentially polluted soils. "Software" represents the ecological elements that produce crops, influenced by factors like permaculture or local market demands.
DIYCommunityDigital agriculture도시농업용 배양토의 조성과 용기의 형태가 몇 가지 초본 및 목본류의 묘 생육에 미치는 영향
2016권영휴, Sujin Kim, 오하경, 한상균, 김석진 · · Global
This study investigated the effects of three media types (horticultural substrate, decomposed granite, and a mix) and two container forms (vinyl pot and plug tray) on the growth of four herbaceous and one woody plant species for urban agriculture. Horticultural substrate (HS) resulted in the highest growth rates for most species in plant height, root length, leaf number, and fresh biomass weight (P < 0.05). Plug trays were found to be more applicable than vinyl pots, considering plant growth and shipping convenience.
DIYUrban Gardening: From Cost Avoidance to Profit Making — Example from Ljubljana, Slovenia
2016Matjaž Glavan, Majda Černič Istenič, Rozalija Cvejić, Marina Pintar · InTech eBooks · Slovenia (Ljubljana)
Two economic models of urban gardening, an avoided costs model (ACM) and a business model (BM), were compared among 127 urban gardeners in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Average ACM gardeners achieved savings of 3.38 EUR/m2 (approximately 462.7 EUR per average 136.69 m2 garden). Average BM gardeners sold approximately 107.0 kg of vegetables annually from 32.48 m2 of production area, generating a gross margin of approximately 135.17 EUR/year (4.29 EUR/m2). The study provides evidence that the ACM can be upgraded with the BM for additional income.
EconomicsDIYUtilization Analysis on Participants of Functional Vegetable Garden Model for Urban Agriculture
2016Eun‐Hee Park, Eunha Yoo, Kyungsook Han, Yoonah Jang, Sunjin Jeong, Dongkeum Park · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study analyzed the utilization of a functional vegetable garden model by its users, examining aspects such as product types, quantities, ratios, and existing issues. Many participants reported no prior experience with vegetable garden education, yet found cultivation education helpful for their activities. Vegetables were the main type of plant grown in family gardens, with participants independently determining planting times and methods. The current amount of flowers and herbs in the functional vegetable garden model was deemed appropriate, and a crop ratio of 60.5% vegetables, 21.2% medicinal plants, and 18.3% flowers/herbs was considered moderate.
DIYFood educationCommunityGrowth Responses of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) to Hydrophilic Polymer Mixture Ratio in Growing Medium for Lower Maintenance Urban Agriculture via Green Roofs
2016Jin-Hee Ju, Won-Tae Kim, Hui Xu, Young-Han Yoon, Eun‐Young Choi · Journal of Environmental Science International · Global
This study investigated the influence of hydrophilic polymer (HP) mixture ratio on the growth of eggplant (Solanum melongena) for lower maintenance urban agriculture via green roofs. As the hydrophilic polymer mixture ratio increased, the growth index, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and dry weight of shoot and root decreased. Specifically, these values were significantly lower in HP5.0% and HP10.0% treatments compared to the control, and the survival rate was lowest at 56% in the HP10.0% treatment.
Limited or null effectDIYClimate changeUrban–rural linkageThe Green School: a sustainable approach towards environmental education: Case study
2016Lalieta Somwaru · Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology · Suriname
In Suriname, "The Green School" project, initiated in October 2013, is being implemented in all primary schools nationwide. This project aims to positively influence children's environmental behavior through practical activities, focusing on biodiversity (including school gardens), waste, water, and energy. Of the 333 primary schools in Suriname, 286 have been officially designated "Green Schools," and monitoring has shown improvements in classroom and schoolyard cleanliness and sustainable water and energy usage.
Food educationBiodiversityDIYEffects of Media Kinds and Container Forms for Urban Agriculture on the Growth Characteristics of Several Herbaceous and Woody Plants
2016Young Hyoo Kwon, Su‐Jin Kim, Ha Kyeong Oh, Sang-Kyun Han, Seak Jin Kim · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study examined the effects of media kinds and container forms on the growth of herbaceous and woody plants for urban greenery and landscape gardens. Five plant species were experimented on three different media kinds (horticultural substrate, decomposed granite, and a mix) and two container forms (vinyl pot and plug tray). Most species experimented on horticultural substrate tended to have the highest growth rate in plant height, root length, number of leaves, and fresh biomass weight. The use of plug trays was found to be more applicable than vinyl pots, considering plant growth rates and shipment convenience.
DIYUrban–rural linkageDeveloping food literacy through food production
2016Heather Yeatman · Research Online (University of Wollongong) · Global
This chapter focuses on how food literacy is developed through experiences with food production in different settings, including agriculture, urban food production, and home and school gardens.
Food educationDIYCommunityAtelier 1 Agriculture urbaine et nouveaux marchés la vente de bacs prévégétalisés aux particuliers
2016Marie-Dominique Pivetaud et Jean-Claude Legendre, Entrepreneurs chez Nature et potager en ville · · Global
This workshop focuses on the sale of pre-vegetated planters to individuals and businesses as a new market within the urban agriculture sector.
DIYEconomicsDesign and Construction of an Inexpensive Homemade Plant Growth Chamber
2015· PLOS ONE · Global
Describes the design and construction of an inexpensive homemade plant growth chamber built from low-cost materials as an accessible alternative to costly commercial units for controlled indoor plant growth.
DIYEconomicsAn Automated System for Monitoring Soil Moisture and Controlling Irrigation Using Low-cost Open-source Microcontrollers
2015· HortTechnology · Global
An automated irrigation controller built from open-source Arduino boards, capacitance soil-moisture sensors and solenoid valves that logs volumetric water content and triggers irrigation by threshold; inexpensive and suited to home gardens, greenhouses and nurseries.
DIYEconomicsEvaluación de la producción de papa criolla solanum phureja clon paisa en contenedores de polietileno de alta densidad bajo el marco de agricultura urbana
2015Daniel Andrés Vega Castro · Luna Azul · Colombia
A 2015 descriptive study in Colombia evaluated the production of criolla potato Solanum phureja 'Paisa' clone in an urban context. High-density polyethylene double-bottom containers and agroecological production techniques, including fertilization based on organic matter, minerals, and microorganisms, were used. Results showed an average production of 528.36 g/plant for S. phureja in containers, indicating a viable alternative compared to average production in Colombia and the department of Cundinamarca.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceTropical Permaculture and Green Building
2015Stephane Bour · · Global
Ecotrancoso focuses on restoring life to an ecosystem that has been transformed into a desert by unsustainable agricultural practices. This is achieved through the creation of a food forest.
DIYOrganic cycleBiodiversityClimate changeUse of soil amendments for urban horticulture in the savannah and forest areas of Ghana
2015Abdul‐Halim Abubakari, Laura Atuah, B. Banful, Hypolite Bayor · Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management · Ghana
A study in Ghana reviewed literature and surveyed farmers on soil amendments for urban horticulture. The review found that research on soil amendments has been limited to land management and nutrient recovery, not addressing quality issues for specific production systems. Farmers adopt varying application rates due to lack of standardization, and barriers include technology for collection, funds for purchase, and labor employment.
Economic viabilityDIYCompostEconomicsAssessing the Residents’ Preference of Awareness Regarding Urban Agriculture at Rooftop Garden
2015Neda Jafari, Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Md Azree Othuman Mydin, Osman Mohd Tahir · Applied Mechanics and Materials · Malaysia
This quantitative survey research examined residents' awareness and preferences regarding urban agriculture at rooftop gardens in The Heritage condominium in Selangor and Sri Putramas 2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The survey results indicated that residents who participated agreed with the awareness of urban agriculture at rooftop gardens. The study aims to promote sustainable building and the use of urban agriculture in residential rooftop gardening.
DIYCommunityFood education