Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9385 results(123 / 376)
Biodiversity maintains soil multifunctionality and soil organic carbon in novel urban ecosystems
2022Schittko C. · Journal of Ecology · Germany (Berlin)
Shows that biodiversity maintains soil multifunctionality and soil organic carbon in novel urban ecosystems studied in Berlin.
BiodiversityOrganic cycleOpportunities and challenges of food policy councils in pursuit of food system sustainability and food democracy–a comparative case study from the Upper-Rhine region
2022· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Germany (Upper Rhine)
A comparative case study of food policy councils in the Upper-Rhine region (including Germany), examining opportunities and challenges for food system sustainability and food democracy.
PolicyCommunityPotentials and perspectives of food self-sufficiency in urban areas—a case study from Leipzig
2022Rüschhoff J., Hubatsch C., Priess J., Scholten T., Egli L. · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Germany (Leipzig)
A Leipzig case study assessing food self-sufficiency potential, finding that combining organic agriculture, reduced food loss, and a more plant-based diet could reach a mean self-sufficiency level of about 95%.
Food lossOrganic cycleEconomicsDecentralized composting as a waste management tool connect with the new global trends: a systematic review
2022· International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Global
Systematic review positioning decentralized composting as a waste management tool in the context of new global trends.
DIYCompostCommunityEvaluation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Production Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass Supplemented with Agricultural Wastes
2022Ejigu N., Sitotaw B., Girmay S., Assaye H. · International Journal of Food Science · Ethiopia
Evaluates water hyacinth biomass, alone or mixed with wheat/teff straw, as a low-cost substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation. The authors conclude water hyacinth is a promising cheap substrate owing to its ideal C/N ratio and low lignin, while also helping control the invasive weed.
DIYOrganic cycleEconomicsDesign of a Friendly Solar Food Dryer for Domestic Over-Production
2022Fernandes L., Fernandes J.R., Tavares P.B. · Solar · Portugal
Builds and tests two indirect solar dryer prototypes for fruits and vegetables using low-cost, reused materials (wood, styrofoam, recycled aluminum cans). Reports drying kinetics comparable to a commercial electric dryer, cutting waste from domestic over-production.
DIYFood lossEconomicsDesign, construction, and application of a low-cost solar dryer: A kinetic study of Araticum pulp drying
2022· Journal of Food Processing and Preservation · Brazil
Designs, constructs, and applies a low-cost solar dryer, studying the drying kinetics of araticum fruit pulp. Demonstrates a self-built, inexpensive dryer for preserving and adding value to produce.
DIYFood lossEconomicsEffect of Different Predrying Treatments on Physicochemical Quality and Drying Kinetics of Twin Layer Solar Tunnel Dried Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Slices
2022Dufera L.T. · Journal of Food Quality · Jimma, Ethiopia
Dries tomato slices in a twin-layer solar tunnel dryer under Ethiopian conditions, testing how different pre-drying treatments affect physicochemical quality and drying kinetics. Addresses low-cost tunnel-type solar drying for vegetable preservation.
DIYFood lossPathways to low-cost aquaponic systems for sustainable livelihoods and economic development in poor communities: defining critical success factors
2022· Aquaculture International · Global
The paper argues that low-cost aquaponics can support food security and socio-economic development in poor communities, and defines the critical success factors needed to realize such systems.
DIYCommunityEconomicsBuilding sustainable societies through vertical soilless farming: A cost-effectiveness analysis on a small-scale non-greenhouse hydroponic system
2022Gumisiriza M.S., Ndakidemi P., Nalunga A., Mbega E.R. · Sustainable Cities and Society · Africa
A cost-effectiveness analysis (net present value, internal rate of return, payback period) of a small-scale non-greenhouse vertical hydroponic system, examining its contribution to urban food security.
DIYEconomicsMicro-Investment by Tanzanian Smallholders' in Drip Irrigation Kits for Vegetable Production to Improve Livelihoods: Lessons Learned and a Way Forward
2022· Agriculture · Tanzania
Examines micro-investment by smallholders in affordable drip irrigation kits (bundled with seeds, inputs and advice) for vegetable production and improved livelihoods and nutrition.
DIYEconomicsVertical Greening Systems: A Critical Comparison of Do-It-Yourself Designs
2022Dominici L., Comino E., Torpy F., Irga P. · Plants · Italy / Australia
An exploratory review of vertical greening system designs from scientific literature and community/commercial solutions, defining eight design models via six structural criteria and interviewing seven community garden groups to guide low-cost, small-scale DIY systems.
DIYCommunityFeasibility study for estimating optimal substrate parameters for sustainable green roof in Sri Lanka
2022· Environment, Development and Sustainability · Sri Lanka
Explores composing a low-cost green roof substrate from locally available organic wastes, arguing that organic wastes offer higher plant-nutrient content, water retention and suitable pH compared with recycled aggregates.
DIYOrganic cycleGrocery Waste Compost as an Alternative Hydroponic Growing Medium
2022· Agronomy · Global
Investigates replacing conventional hydroponic media such as cocodust with compost from locally sourced grocery waste, testing four mixtures (20–80% waste compost) on hydroponic lettuce over 35 days.
DIYFood lossCompostAn underground, wireless, open-source, low-cost system for monitoring oxygen, temperature, and soil moisture
2022· SOIL · United States
Describes an underground, wireless, open-source, low-cost system using LoRa to monitor soil oxygen, temperature, and moisture; the logging, power, and communication components cost about USD 150, much cheaper than commercial solutions.
DIYEconomicsDevelopment of a Low-Cost Open-Source Platform for Smart Irrigation Systems
2022Puig F., Rodríguez Díaz J.A., Soriano M.A. · Agronomy · Spain
Develops a low-cost, open-source IoT platform for smart irrigation that supports many sensors and can be easily integrated with other platforms.
DIYEconomicsOpen-source electronics for plant phenotyping and irrigation in controlled environment
2022Kim J.Y., Abdel-Haleem H., Luo Z., Szczepanek A. · Smart Agricultural Technology · United States
Develops a portable high-throughput phenotyping system using a microcontroller and a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, extended with soil moisture monitoring and water-pump control for automated irrigation using open-source electronics.
DIYEconomicsPhysically apart but socially connected: Lessons in social resilience from community gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic
2022· Landscape and Urban Planning · Canada (Edmonton)
A survey of 90 Edmonton community gardens; gardeners missed social events like pot-lucks and harvest fests yet reported that gardens provided social resilience during the pandemic.
CommunityHealthTherapeutic Community Gardening as a Green Social Prescription for Mental Ill-Health: Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators from the Perspective of Multiple Stakeholders
2022Wood C.J., Polley M., Barton J.L., Wicks C.L. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · United Kingdom
Interviews with 13 stakeholders (social prescribing link workers and garden staff) and focus groups with 20 garden members examined how therapeutic community gardening supports mental health through nature engagement, hope, and social support, and identified barriers to referral and attendance.
HealthWelfareCommunityExploring the perspectives of 'young adults' (18–24) who have been in formal care and their experiences of attending a socially prescribed community allotment gardening group
2022Moore E.J., Thew M. · British Journal of Occupational Therapy · United Kingdom
Semi-structured online interviews with six care leavers aged 18-24 explored their experiences of a socially prescribed community allotment gardening group, yielding themes of social belonging, a safe space, achievement, and the facilitatory aspects of nature.
WelfareHealthCommunitySeeds of change? Social practices of urban community seed sharing initiatives for just transitions to sustainability
2022· Local Environment · Global
Analyzes urban community seed-sharing and seed-swap initiatives as social practices and how they contribute to just transitions to sustainability.
CommunityHeirloom & landraceBiodiversityHorticultural Therapy for Improving the Work Performance and Interpersonal Relationships of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
2022· International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · South Korea
A study examining horticultural therapy to improve the work performance and interpersonal relationships of persons with intellectual disabilities, reporting improvements in interpersonal negotiation strategies, adaptive behaviors, and physical abilities for work.
WelfareHealthThe Development of Sustainable Social Farming in Italy: A Case Studies Analysis
2022· Sustainability · Italy
A case-studies analysis examining the development of sustainable social farming in Italy, addressing social inclusion and the training and employment of disadvantaged people.
WelfarePolicyChallenges and Perspectives of Social Farming in North-Eastern Italy: The Farmers' View
2022· Sustainability · Italy
A study of social farming in North-Eastern Italy from the farmers' perspective, examining challenges and prospects with a focus on the social and work inclusion of disadvantaged people.
WelfarePolicyTherapeutic gardening program effects on mental health and well-being of older adults
2022· International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · South Korea
A study conducted in Korea from June to November 2021, delivering a 30-session therapeutic gardening program to 111 participants to examine effects on mental health and well-being of older adults.
ElderlyHealth