Research & reports

A. N. Sarkar · · Global

This paper discusses design procedures and criteria for vertical gardens (living walls) and green roofs. Vertical gardens are suitable for urban areas, offering uses like urban agriculture, while green roofs provide ecosystem services such as mitigating urban heat island effects and improving biodiversity. Both technologies are recognized globally for environmental benefits, with a thriving industry and extensive research, particularly in Europe.

Danny Santoso Mintorogo, Wanda Widigdo, Anik Juniwati · Advanced Science Letters · Global

This research investigated pakis-stem blocks as a growing medium for green roofs, evaluating their 3-in-1 function as a lightweight growing medium, an easy-to-form urban farming system, and an eco-friendly external roof insulation. Measurements on rooftop surface and room thermal behavior showed that pakis-stem green rooftops reduced surface dry-bulk temperature by 16.4°C and ambient room dry-bulk temperature by approximately 7°C at noon compared to conventional rooftops. The surface and ambient room air temperature differences between pakis vegetative green rooftops and miana scrub green rooftops were approximately 7°C and 3°C, respectively.

Izyan Ayuni Mohamad Selamat, Shahida Mohd Sharif, Januarius Gobilik · Journal of BIMP-EAGA Regional Development · Malaysia

This study shared the experience of Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture in developing green infrastructure (GI), specifically a rooftop garden, as a medium for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The project was conducted in four phases: planning and management team formation, participatory planning, site inventory and analysis, and GI design and development. Through this project, participants were directly exposed to identifying environmental issues and their solutions, implementing sustainable initiatives within the campus environment.

Erminia D’Itria, Loredana Di Lucchio · The Design Journal · Global

This article discusses the growing interest in urban agriculture, driven by factors such as healthy food access, green space, and community engagement. It suggests that architects and designers can play a strong role in expanding urban agriculture by developing innovative practices to enable more people to farm in their own spaces. The text emphasizes the need to amplify the benefits of urban agriculture to a larger population.

ANTONIO JOSE CHAGUENDO DORADO, Sandra Morales Velasco, Fabio Alonso Prado Cerón · Biotecnología en el Sector Agropecuario y Agroindustrial · Colombia (Popayán)

A study in Popayán's Comuna 2 evaluated PET bottle urban agriculture practices, examining two crops (cilantro and lettuce) and three bottle orientations (horizontal, vertical, 45-degree inclined). Agronomic variables like height, coverage, vigor, and biomass were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results showed that vertical bottles yielded better production in terms of vigor and fresh weight for both species, attributed to the relationship between container size and root development.

Vina Febriani, Evy Nasrika, Tri Munasari, Yoan Permatasari, Talitha Widiatningrum · Journal of Creativity Students · Global

This paper introduces "Mba-Gening," an urban gardening innovation for cultivating Brassica oleracea microgreens, as a solution for limited land and the demand for organic food. Microgreens are harvested in 10-14 days and possess up to six times the nutritional value of mature green vegetables. This production is said to meet the demand for organic broccoli and offers a good business opportunity due to a wide market and lack of competitors.

Steve Badanes · · Global

This abstract describes a design/build studio process where authors collaborate with clients on grant writing and program development for students. The studio aims to help clients define their needs and constraints, with clients funding materials and authors providing design and construction services. The Supershed location is selected with the Center for Urban Horticulture before the studio begins.

Chysanthi Chimona, Sophia Rhizopoulou · World Journal of Research and Review · Global

This global study observed the water deficit resistance of six plant species grown in long tubes and rhizotrons over one month. Mediterranean plants (Ceratonia siliqua, Myrtus communis, Nerium oleander) demonstrated resistance to water deficit, unlike Ligustrum japonicum and Pittosporum tobira, which are common in parks. Rosmarinus officinalis exhibited an intermediate level of drought endurance.

Georgia 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.

Pulido Barbosa, Cindy Gillary · · Global

This report details the results of the "Guardians of Nature" environmental project, which aimed to raise student awareness of environmental care through building a school garden and making compost. The project utilized recycled materials like plastic bottles for planting various vegetables and provided workshops to the entire educational community on environmental topics. This initiative led to changes in students' cognitive and procedural skills, fostering critical reflection and problem-solving, culminating in the successful construction and maintenance of a school garden.

Praptiningsih Gamawati Adinurani · · Global

Massive urbanization without adequate human resources support will cause problems, including the provision of food. Urban farming activities by urban communities, utilizing yards or abandoned land, can address food needs. Increased knowledge and skills of urban farming practitioners can be achieved through counseling, discussion, and training in various agricultural techniques such as verticulture, hydroponics, and polybag systems. After participating in training, urban agriculture practitioners can produce vegetables and fruits for their consumption and for sale, produce seeds and fertilizer, and model various farming practices.

· 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.

· 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.

· The Journal of Development Studies · Burkina Faso

Analyses the diffusion of smallholder drip irrigation in Burkina Faso, focusing on the role of development brokers.

Silvio 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.

Helena 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.

Irama 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.

Andrew 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.

Sarah 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.

Luis 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.

Greg 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.

권영휴, 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.

Matjaž 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.

Eun‐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.

Jin-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.