Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
984 results(12 / 40)
Food production and resource use of urban farms and gardens: a five-country study
2023Dorr, E., Hawes, J.K., Goldstein, B., Fargue-Lelièvre, A., Fox-Kämper, R., Specht, K., Fedeńczak, K., Caputo, S., Cohen, N., Poniży, L., Schoen, V., Górecki, T., Newell, J.P., Jean-Soro, L., Grard, B. · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · Global
A citizen-science study collecting data from 72 urban agriculture sites across France, Germany, Poland, the UK and the USA to analyze yields and resource use. Most plots yielded between 0.5 and 2 kg/m².
EconomicsOrganic cycleCommunityDIYSustainability assessment of peri-urban organic horticulture — A case study in the United Kingdom
2023Mustafa Ali, Lenny Koh, Adolf Acquaye, Jonathan R. Leake, Jacob Nickles, Toby P. Evans, Gareth Roberts, Douglas Kemp · The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment · United Kingdom (Sheffield)
This study conducted an integrated environmental and economic assessment of organic peri-urban horticulture using primary data from a farm in Sheffield, UK. A hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) found that the global warming potential (GWP) for case study tomatoes was 3.53 kg CO2-eq, which was 1.87 times higher than imported Spanish tomatoes. Economic analysis showed that the marginal increase in the prices of tomatoes and courgettes from the case study farm was 4.6 and 5.15 times less than the market prices, leading to the conclusion that the studied production system is economically and environmentally sustainable compared to the existing scenario.
Peri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleEconomicsClimate changeInvestigating Heavy Metal Contamination Extent of Soil and Plant from Urban Gardens in Jinju
2023Myeong Seok Jeong, Mina Lee, Chaw Su Lwin, Kwon-Rae Kim · 한국토양비료학회지 · Korea (Jinju)
This study investigated heavy metal concentrations in soil and crop leaves from 23 urban gardens in Jinju, Korea, to assess suitability for cultivation. While average concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn generally did not exceed Korean guidelines, the Geoaccumulation Index indicated ongoing contamination by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. A significant amount of Pb was introduced into some soils from the atmosphere, and continuous monitoring for heavy metals in urban garden soils is required for food safety.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityOrganic cycleSuitability assessment and recommendations for Urban agricultural development: A case study in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Viet Nam
2023Phạm Thanh Vũ, Võ Quang Minh · Plant Science Today · Viet Nam
A study in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Viet Nam, assessed aspects and designed adaptive models for urban agriculture using data collection, farmer surveys, statistical analysis, and FAO land suitability assessment. It found that growing green vegetables, fruits, decorative plants, orchids, and raising cattle is the most effective model. This model creates jobs, boosts income, supplies clean food, provides greenery, recycles waste, and reduces pollution, supporting sustainable agricultural options for the area.
EconomicsCommunityOrganic cycleHealthHorta orgânica no semiárido: dispositivo de mediação interdisciplinar e educação ambiental em escolas públicas de Irecê - BA
2023Alex Salviano da Silva, Célia Regina Batista dos Santos · Revista Macambira · Brazil (Irecê)
This study investigated the contributions of interdisciplinary interventional actions, mediated by organic garden construction, to public school students' teaching and learning processes and their interest in environmental education within the context of remote education in Irecê, Brazil. Using a qualitative, interventionist action research methodology, activities integrating subjects like Biology, Mathematics, Geography, History, and Arts were conducted remotely and in person. Findings identified significant changes in school management, suggesting new perspectives for environmental education, and students showed increased awareness of their actions concerning school and home environments.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleDiversidade de produtos da agricultura familiar e urbana em Trindade-GO: um estudo de caso
2023Magda Beatriz de Almeida Matteucci · · Brazil (Trindade)
This case study characterized the diversity of agricultural products from family urban agriculture in Trindade-GO, Brazil, by applying 20 questionnaires to urban properties. Producers in Trindade adopt diverse production practices, notably cultivating lettuce, cilantro, kale, and chives. They primarily use simple, ecological techniques for fertilization and pest/disease control, including organic fertilizers, to avoid harmful and costly agrochemicals.
DIYOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceRunoff Water Quality from Different Urban Agricultural Systems Using Common Nutrient Management Practices
2023Leigh Whittinghill, Major Ballard, Anju Chaudhary, Smriti Kandel, Caitlin Mullins, Pradip Poudel · HortScience · United States
This study analyzed runoff water quality from four different nutrient management treatments (conventional fertilizer, organic fertilizer, low-compost + organic fertilizer, and high compost) in raised beds and small plastic pool container plots in the United States. Water samples, collected monthly, were analyzed for pH, conductivity, color, turbidity, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, total phosphorus, and potassium. While significant differences existed between raised beds and container plots, these did not translate to meaningful water quality differences for most variables, except for nitrate-nitrogen. The conventional fertilizer treatment showed greater or more variable nutrient leaching than other treatments.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleClimate changeDIYInformation and analytical support for the formation of the city farm business plan
2023Yu. N. Katkov, N. A. Starostina, A. A. Romanova, М. К. Dzhikуa, I. O. Aidlin · Buhuchet v sel skom hozjajstve (Accounting in Agriculture) · Global
This article theoretically substantiates information and analytical support for city farm business plans, aiming to enhance food security by providing organic and eco-friendly agricultural products. It presents author's models for accounting and analytical systems and information support for city farm business plans. These models are intended to aid import substitution in agricultural products and contribute economically.
EconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleSoil-Borne Pests in Urban Agricultural Areas.
2023Şener Tarla, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülcan TARLA · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This paper defines urban agriculture and discusses its benefits, including food production, resource contribution, and addressing economic, environmental, and social problems in cities. It notes that the global pandemic highlighted urban agriculture's importance for food safety, access, and ecosystem maintenance.
BiodiversityOrganic cyclePenerapan Sustainable Architecture Pada Fasilitas Urban Farming Di Kota Surabaya
2023Gagas Purwo Adi, Nareswarananindya Nareswarananindya, Dian Pramita Eka Laksmiyanti · Tekstur · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This study proposes the application of sustainable architecture for urban farming facilities in Surabaya City, Indonesia, to address basic needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The design integrates communal spaces and cultivation facilities with household waste processing and efficient resource maximization. It utilizes a slab building form with indoor cultivation areas oriented towards the sun, supported by solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.
CommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeEvaluating the impacts of nutrients recovery from urine wastewater in Building-Integrated Agriculture. A test case study in Amsterdam
2023Michele D’Ostuni, C. Stanghellini, A. Boedijn, Leonardo Zaffi, Giuseppina Pennisi, Francesco Orsini · Sustainable Cities and Society · Netherlands (Amsterdam)
The feasibility of using urine and greywater streams as nutrient solutions in a theoretical model of Building-Integrated Agriculture in Amsterdam was evaluated. Results showed it is feasible to use urine and greywater as nutrient solutions; however, treated urine had higher macronutrient concentrations than literature fertilizer recipes, requiring dilution with increasing amounts of greywater to match N or P concentrations. Consequently, P deficiencies in plants or excessive N concentration were found in the final wastewater-based nutrient solution.
Limited or null effectOrganic cycleDigital agricultureAnalisis Karakteristik Responden Dalam Penentuan Sistem Irigasi Dalam Organic Urban Farming
2023Sunik Sunik, Sari Perwita R.I. · Jurnal BisTek PERTANIAN Agribisnis dan Teknologi Hasil Pertanian · Indonesia
This 2023 qualitative study in Indonesia analyzed the characteristics of organic urban farming actors and their considerations for choosing irrigation systems. The majority of respondents were of productive age, had a high school education, and worked as civil servants, private sector employees, or entrepreneurs. Key considerations for selecting an irrigation type included complexity, time availability, and ease of implementation.
DIYCommunityFood educationOrganic cycleProducción urbana de alimentos: una contribución al cumplimiento de los ODS. Una experiencia desde la proyección social universitaria
2023Luis Carlos Estupiñán Aponte · Repositorio Institucional UPTC · Global
This project explores urban and peri-urban agriculture as a viable, though not comprehensive, solution to food vulnerability in urban areas, where access to food is often limited by purchasing power. It applies circular economy and agroecological principles, utilizing available resources for garden assembly, processing plant waste into fertilizers, and employing botanical and microbiological controls for phytosanitary management. The initiative emphasizes broad community participation, knowledge exchange, and the creation of social spaces to enhance food and nutrition security.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsClimate changeOrganic cycleDrivers of the Chemical Quality of Market Gardening Soils in the Urban and Peri-Urban Environment of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso): Impact of Fertilizers Sources and Sites Location
2023Fabèkourè Cédric Kambiré, Sheick Sangaré, Rayangnéwendé Adèle Ouédraogo, Adama Zanga Ouattara · Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment · Burkina Faso (Bobo-Dioulasso)
This study investigated the chemical quality of soils across six market gardening sites in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, considering the impact of fertilizer use and site location. Soil samples from 30 farms in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas were analyzed for carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and pH, revealing that soil chemical parameters, except for available K, were affected by site location. Urban farm soils were less acidic, and long-term organic matter application improved soil chemical quality, though soil quality tended to decrease with area expansion.
Peri-urban agricultureWelfareOrganic cycleUnderstanding Multiple Ecosystem Services of Urban Agriculture Across Scales
2023Jiangxiao Qiu, Hui Zhao · EDIS · Global
This overview identified eight ecosystem services generally attributed to urban agriculture, including food production, microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and social-cultural values. However, the study found that quantitative evidence for many of these ecosystem services, especially intangible ones, is scarce. It suggests that while urban agriculture could be integral to green infrastructure, further consideration is needed for types, technology, management, and potential tradeoffs.
Methodological critiqueBiodiversityClimate changeHealthOrganic cyclePolicyCommunityCauliflower Cultivation on Rooftop Garden Using Various Composts: Morphological and Economic Analysis
2023Akhi Akter, Md. Forhad Hossain, Jubayer-Al Mahmud, Nasrin Sultana, Md Maruf Hasan, Tahira Begum · Journal of Agroforestry and Environment · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study investigated the impacts of vermicompost, sawdust, and cowdung on cauliflower growth and yield on a rooftop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 2019 to July 2020. The experiment found that vermicompost (10 t ha-1) combined with recommended chemical fertilizers resulted in the highest yield (19.75 t ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (3.33). The results indicate that rooftops are suitable for cauliflower production using vermicompost.
CompostOrganic cycleEconomicsDIYWeeds and compacted soil in the establishment of an urban garden using the biointensive approach: Experiences and limitations
2023Iván Nocua, Karen del Pilar Galindez, J. Cordero, Astrid Del Pilar Ardila Bernal, Julián Serna, Omar David Guzmán, Cristian Fernando Camargo Muñoz, Mauricio Parra‐Quijano · Agronomía Colombiana · Colombia (Bogotá)
An urban garden was established within a greenhouse at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá campus, to investigate the effects of weeds and compacted soil in a biointensive approach. Over a two-month measurement period, 13 weed species were identified, with Veronica spp. being the most represented, and Poaceae family plants predominant within the orchard. While soil properties improved with the biointensive method and organic material addition, the presence of weeds highlights challenges and limitations in establishing urban gardens.
Environmental trade-offsDIYOrganic cycleThings that endure: Community gardens and the post-work imaginary
2023Abigail Schoneboom, Daniel Mallo, Armelle Tardiveau · Journal of Classical Sociology · United Kingdom
This sensory ethnographic study, using pinhole photography, explored how time is experienced by unemployed volunteers at a community garden in the north-east of England. It found that the garden's ability to provide meaningful time is rooted in its food-growing and composting cycles, as well as enduring elements like mature trees and volunteer-made structures. The study argues that urban community gardens offer an "elongated present" that fulfills individuals and sustains community and nature.
CommunityWelfareOrganic cycleHealthSocio-environmental diagnosis of community urban gardens in the General Pueyrredon district
2023Jaime Del Río, Victoria Noelia Cabral, María Victoria Sordini · Salud Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias · Argentina
This undergraduate thesis conducted a socio-environmental diagnosis of community urban horticulture spaces in the General Pueyrredon district, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The diagnosis identified their current situation, main limits, and potentialities, and characterized and geographically located different projects. This facilitated understanding how these experiences relate to urban social dynamics.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleTeachers and students use of systems thinking about their participation in school environmental clubs
2023Richard Beach · Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy · Global
This study analyzed the perceptions of three English teachers and three students participating in two high school environmental clubs, using a critical inquiry systems thinking framework. Interviews explored their views on the purposes, outcomes, norms, and beliefs of energy/transportation, agriculture/food production, and economic systems impacting climate change. Teachers and students critiqued these systems for leading to negative climate change outcomes and engaged in sustainability practices like planting school gardens and supporting recycling/composting.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleGrowing in relation with the land: Experiential learning of Root and Regenerate Urban Farms
2023Chelsea Rozanski, Michael C. Gavin · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Canada (Calgary)
This reflective essay documented the cultivation process of a production urban farm in Calgary, Canada, through a collaboration between the University of Calgary, Root and Regenerate Urban Farms, and the Young Agrarians. Over one growing season (May-September 2021), approximately 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg) of 48 vegetable varieties were harvested from nine urban spaces totaling 0.26 acres. Produce was distributed to shareholders, market customers, chefs, and cooperatives, with 765 lbs (347 kg) donated to food security initiatives. The paper discusses the benefits and limitations of Small Plot Intensive Farming and urban land-sharing strategies.
CommunityCSA & TeikeiOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceAn analytical framework to measure the social return of community-supported agriculture
2023Marco Medici, Maurizio Canavari, Alessandra Castellini · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This study designed and applied a cost-benefit analysis based on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) to five Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives, addressing the lack of objective sustainability indicators. CSAs are local food supply chains characterized by member volunteer commitment, reduction of synthetic inputs in food production, and shortening of the supply chain. Findings revealed that the analyzed CSA case studies demonstrated a limited but positive socio-environmental performance compared to conventional food supply chains, thereby showing they can create real value in terms of social gains and mitigation of environmental impacts.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsOrganic cycleTransfer Teknologi pengolahan Media Tanam Berbasis Mikroba Indigenous dan Gulma Air Kepada Petani Kelurahan Bangkal
2023Ismed Setya Budi, Ismed Fachruzi, Mariana Mariana, Yusriadi Yusriadi, Muhammad Indar Pramudi, Helda Orbani Rossa · Jurnal Pengabdian ILUNG (Inovasi Lahan Basah Unggul) · Indonesia (Banjarbaru)
This project addressed agricultural challenges in Bangkal Village, Banjarbaru City, Indonesia, where farmers face issues with soil fertility and seasonal flooding. The proposed solution involved transferring technology for making organic fertilizer using indigenous microbes (Trichoderma sp.) and aquatic weeds (kalakai and kayapu). Initial outreach and a workshop with 42 participants revealed farmers needed direct practical guidance. Ongoing field assistance enabled the "Bunga Padi" farmer group to produce packaged organic fertilizer for market and local use, with the aim of eventually marketing Bangkal-specific organic red rice.
Organic cycleCompostPeri-urban agricultureCommunityDesigning and Creating a Model Garden to Demonstrate Carbon Reduction† - Case Study of Carbon Reduction Model Garden at the Sejong National Arboretum -
2023Byunghoon Park, Jayoo Seo · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea
This study designed and constructed a model garden at the Sejong National Arboretum, South Korea, to provide scientific data on the carbon-reducing functions of gardens. The experimental area was divided to analyze carbon reduction effects based on biochar amount, planting density, and plant species. The model garden incorporated rainwater utilization facilities and low-carbon certified materials, with the carbon reduction effect of each facility and construction method compared.
CommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleAn original and efficient fertilizer for cherry tomato plants grown in urban agriculture: Feral pigeon guano
2023Chloé Duffaut, Florence Brondeau, Julien Gasparini · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · France (Ivry-sur-Seine)
This study tested the effects of feral pigeon guano as a fertilizer on cherry tomato plants in an urban environment on a rooftop in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. In June 2017, 15g of guano was added to 15 cultivation bags, while 15 control bags received only water. After 15 days, guano-treated plants were taller and tended to have more flowers, and the total number and mass of harvested cherry tomatoes were one to two times higher than the control. However, the average mass per fruit was not affected by the treatment. The study concluded that pigeon guano is an efficient local fertilizer for cherry tomato plants in urban areas.
DIYOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkage