Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3465 results(124 / 139)
Greenhouse gas emissions from home composting of organic household waste
2010Andersen J.K., Boldrin A., Christensen T.H., Scheutz C. · Waste Management · Denmark
Uses six home composting units over one year and a static flux chamber method to measure and quantify greenhouse gas emissions from composting organic household waste.
DIYCompostThe impact of nutrition education with and without a school garden on knowledge, vegetable intake and preferences and quality of school life among primary-school students
2010Morgan · Public Health Nutrition · Australia
Among primary-school students, the study compared nutrition education with and without a school garden, examining effects on knowledge, vegetable intake and preferences, and quality of school life.
Food educationHealthSustainable urban agriculture: stocktake and opportunities
2010Leonie Pearson, Linda Pearson, Craig J. Pearson · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Global
This paper reviews research on urban agriculture, focusing on its social, economic, and environmental sustainability dimensions. It proposes three elements and three scales for urban agriculture, highlighting legal, social, and economic constraints and opportunities. The analysis suggests future research priorities include identifying principles for resilient cities and trialling innovative institutional mechanisms.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityClimate changeThe emergence of urban agriculture: Sydney, Australia
2010David Mason, Ian Knowd · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Australia (Sydney)
This paper explores the history of urban agriculture (UA) in the Sydney region, which emerged as a grassroots response to global forces negatively impacting urban and farming communities. These forces include urban sprawl, supermarket dominance, the fast food industry, and globalization. Community-based promotion of local agriculture is leading governments and organizations to recognize UA as a strategic mechanism for urban communities to address food security and other challenges.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyUrban–rural linkageSpatial dispersion and characterisation of mosquito breeding habitats in urban vegetable-production areas of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
2010Barbara Matthys, Benjamin G. Koudou, Eliézer K. N’Goran, Penelope Vounatsou, Laura Gosoniu, Moussa Koné, G. Gissé, Jürg Utzinger · Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology · Côte d'Ivoire (Abidjan)
Two surveys were conducted in market gardens of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, during the rainy and dry seasons to identify mosquito breeding habitats. The study found that urban agriculture areas may lead to higher densities of mosquito breeding sites, with "agricultural trenches" between seedbeds being the most likely sites to be positive for Anopheles larvae and mosquito pupae.
Environmental trade-offsHealthUrban–rural linkageThe Urban Tomato
2010M. Fantuz · · Cuba (Havana)
This study presents a systematic analysis of urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba. It proposes a lightweight infrastructure, shaped by the existing built environment, aiming to break the constrictions of rigid orthogonal city planning by offering a new layer of walkable and productive public space. The system materializes the socio-spatial characteristics of Havana and is potentially applicable to a large share of the city.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageEdible landscaping - integration of vegetable garden in the landscape of a private property.
2010Rodica Sima, Ioana Micu, Dănuţ Maniutiu, N. Sima, Vasile Lazăr · Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Horticulture · Global
Edible landscaping integrates food-producing plants into ornamental settings, enhancing gardens with unique decorative components and offering health, aesthetic, and economic benefits. This approach considers both the aesthetic value and food production benefits of edible plants. Integrating vegetables into private property landscapes can provide a source of healthy fresh food and add aesthetic value through the cultivation of unusually colored or shaped varieties.
DIYHealthEconomicsHavana’s changing urban agriculture landscape: A shift to the right?
2010Charles French, Mimi Larsen Becker, Bruce E. Lindsay · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Cuba (Havana)
This study examined urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba, using secondary data and interviews with 11 urban gardeners. It found that while agrarian reforms after 1991 led to the growth of private urban gardens and cooperatives, Cuba's integration with the global economy and adoption of free-market principles have since forced dramatic adjustments in the urban agriculture sector. This shift presents challenges to the sector's original role in food security.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsCommunityGardening Promotes Neuroendocrine and Affective Restoration from Stress
2010A.E. van den Berg, Mariëtte H.G. Custers · Journal of Health Psychology · Global
A field experiment with 30 allotment gardeners tested the stress-relieving effects of gardening. Participants performed a stressful Stroop task and were then randomly assigned to 30 minutes of outdoor gardening or indoor reading. Salivary cortisol levels and self-reported mood were repeatedly measured. Both gardening and reading led to decreases in cortisol during the recovery period, but the decreases were significantly stronger in the gardening group. Positive mood was fully restored after gardening, while it further deteriorated during reading.
HealthCommunityPost-Colonial Migration: Virtual Culture, Urban Farming and New Peri-Urban Growth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 1975–2000
2010Geoffrey Ross Owens · Africa · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This article, using ethnographic and historical approaches, examines unplanned peri-urban settlements on Dar es Salaam's northern and western fringe, Tanzania, between 1975 and 2000. These districts were established by educated urban professionals who used urban farming as an economic diversification strategy. The study found that these settlements contributed to the reproduction of socio-economic inequality, attracting additional economically influential urban in-migrants after 1991.
Equity & displacementPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsCommunityWelfareThe contradictory effects of timelines on community participation in a health promotion programme
2010Lesley Batten, Maureen Holdaway · Health Promotion International · Global
This article explores the multiple timelines (contract, evaluation, program phases, and seasons for a community garden project) in a health promotion program and their effects on implementation and community participation. Timelines, while assisting planning, can also constrain action or force prioritization. The study demonstrates the complexity of these timelines and highlights the importance of skilled facilitation in community development-based programs.
CommunityHealthTo Build Up Partnership between Agriculture and Food
2010Sumiko Abe · Journal for the Integrated Study of Dietary Habits · Global
This report examines the weakening relationship between agriculture and food, leading to market failures, reduced competitiveness, and information deficiencies, with processed foods and supermarket purchases dominating. It focuses on direct sales and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as methods to realize "eating habits of volitional selection." These regional markets foster trust and traceability, contributing to food safety, and the study introduces examples from 12,000 direct sales stores, female farmer enterprises, and the Pal System Consumers Cooperative Union.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood miles & supply chainAgronomic considerations for urban agriculture in southern cities
2010Nikita S. Eriksen‐Hamel, George Danso · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Global
Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UA) significantly contributes to the total food requirements of cities, especially in southern cities of the developing world. This review describes agronomic issues unique to UA and identifies possible interventions to address them. Growth-limiting and growth-reducing factors in UA include water availability, nutrient supply, soil degradation, pests, and soil pollution. Addressing these constraints requires action at both field and municipal or regional levels.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareClimate changePolicyOrganic cycleCommunity gardening and food security
2010Claire Nettle · Chain reaction · Global
This paper discusses how community gardening can contribute to food security. However, it finds that the potential contribution of community gardens to food security is limited by their insecurity of tenure.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceAn analysis of markets in Rosario, Argentina.
2010Mariana Ponce, R. Terrile, Marielle Dubbeling, Femke Hoekstra, R. van Veenhuizen · Urban Agriculture Magazine · Argentina (Rosario)
This article describes the Urban Agriculture Programme in Rosario, Argentina, which has been in place since 2002. Implemented by the Municipality of Rosario's Secretary of Social Outreach in cooperation with NGO CEPAR and Pro-Huerta INTA, the program aims to create an economy that integrates people and generates inclusive spaces for production, commercialization, organization, participation, and political advocacy alongside urban farmers. The program is currently in the process of consolidation as public policy.
EconomicsCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceNutrient distribution in three contrasting soils after anaerobic baffled reactor effluent application: A soil column study
2010I. Bame, J. C. Hughes, Louis Titshall, C.A. Buckley, R. J. Gilkes, N. Prakongkep · · Global
This soil column study investigated the effects of anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) effluent on chemical properties of three contrasting soils, relevant to peri-urban agriculture. Soil columns were leached with ABR effluent or distilled water using 16 pore volumes, then sectioned and analyzed for inorganic-N, P, and K. For all soils, nutrient content, particularly phosphorus, in the 0-2 cm layer was significantly higher than in the middle and bottom sections of the columns. Significant differences in phosphorus accumulation were observed between effluent-leached and water-leached soils.
Organic cyclePeri-urban agricultureOdla i Staden för välbefinnande
2010Johanna Lööw · · Sweden (Malmo)
This thesis presents a case study of the Barn i Stan urban agriculture project in Seved, Malmo, Sweden. Using interviews, observation, and participant observation, the study found that residents perceived the cultivation project made Seved nicer, acting as a meeting place and fostering conversation. Urban cultivation contributed to people's well-being and sense of belonging, integrated different nationalities, and taught about nature and food production, increasing pride and liveliness in the district.
CommunityHealthHow to Visit a Socialist Country
2010Richard Levins · Monthly Review · Cuba
This article discusses the ideological biases travelers from the United States carry when visiting Cuba and the progress Cuba demonstrates in areas like urban agriculture, healthcare, and education. It notes that while delegations visit areas Cuba is proud to show, this represents only part of the full story. The author's experience suggests that committed revolutionaries offer more serious criticisms, while counterrevolutionaries tend to complain about personal hardships.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCultivation of Entrepreneurial Horticultural Talents for Urban Agriculture
2010Luo Yu-wei · Journal of Jinling Institute of Technology · Global
This paper discusses the role of entrepreneurial horticultural talent training in urban agriculture, asserting that urban agricultural development depends on such talents. It outlines steps for training entrepreneurial gardening talents, including developing entrepreneurial awareness, providing entrepreneurship education, and strengthening practical teaching. The paper concludes that the horticulture education system for training entrepreneurial talents should be improved in accordance with urban agricultural development.
Food educationEconomicsUrban agriculture and sanitation services in Accra, Ghana: the overlooked contribution
2010Mary Lydecker, Pay Drechsel · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ghana (Accra)
This study examines the contributions of urban agriculture to municipal sanitation and health services in Accra, Ghana. It estimates that Accra generates 80,000,000L of wastewater daily, with urban vegetable farms using up to 11,250,000L. By mitigating health risks from wastewater irrigation, urban farms can significantly contribute to the city's sanitation needs and support buffer zone management, reducing solid waste dumping and improving flood control.
HealthFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cyclePolicyLinking evidence with user voice for pro-poor policy: lessons from East Africa
2010N. Hooton · Development in Practice · Uganda (Kampala)
This article discusses agricultural research and development projects aiming for pro-poor outcomes through policy change. It describes two case studies of actual policy change, one on dairy marketing in Kenya and another on urban agriculture in Kampala, analyzing their policy-change processes. The study highlights two key matters: the role of 'user voice' through links with civil society and user groups, and the value of strong links with 'formal' policy-process actors.
PolicyCommunityUsing value chain analysis to increase the impact of urban farming.
2010J. Mittchel, Henri Leturque, Marielle Dubbeling, Femke Hoekstra, R. van Veenhuizen · Urban Agriculture Magazine · Global
A scoping study for the International Development Research Centre aimed to re-appraise the role of urban agriculture in poverty reduction in developing countries. The research, conducted by a team at the Overseas Development Institute, was based on an extensive literature review, key informant discussions, and field visits to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
EconomicsWelfareUrban–rural linkageCelebrity Chef Richard Corrigan visits Letterkenny Community Gardens
2010cdoyle · · Ireland
Celebrity Chef Richard Corrigan visited the Letterkenny Community Gardens in Donegal, Ireland, during the County Enterprise Board’s ‘Enterprise Week’. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in growing healthy food and cultivating native, indigenous varieties.
CommunityFood educationHeirloom & landraceEating Right Now: Tasting Alternative Food Systems
2010Noah Zerbe · · Global
Failures in the mainstream industrialized food system have increased interest in alternative food systems. These alternatives include urban agriculture, community supported farms, school and community gardens, and fair trade. Despite their diversity, these emergent systems share a common vision for food provision based on social and environmental justice.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceCSA & TeikeiFood educationMeals in Metropolis: mapping the urban foodscape in Melbourne, Australia
2010Ferne Edwards, Dave Mercer · Local Environment · Australia (Melbourne)
This paper discusses the use of food mapping in the "Meals in Metropolis" undergraduate course at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. The course introduced Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture students to critical issues of food security and sustainability in urban design. Students produced food chain maps, neighborhood food maps, and redesign posters, which are concluded to reveal an emerging landscape of innovative food production in Melbourne, potentially leading to a more resilient, distributed urban food system.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood educationUrban–rural linkage