Research & reports

Svetlana Pyankova, Inna Mitrofanova, Olga Ergunova, Victoria Batmanova · Regionalnaya ekonomika Yug Rossii · Russia (Saint Petersburg)

This study analyzed urban agriculture as a sustainable solution for food security in megalopolises, exemplified by Saint Petersburg. It investigated key parameters affecting urban agriculture's efficiency, such as land area used, agricultural production, fresh food availability, and the introduction of modern technologies. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, including statistical data collection, modeling, comparative analysis, expert assessments, and forecasting, the study showed that urban agriculture in St. Petersburg has significant potential for increasing food security, reducing the carbon footprint, and improving municipal ecology.

Godwin K. Naazie, Isaac Agyemang, Anthony Mwinilanaa Tampah-Naah · Discover Sustainability · Ghana (Wa)

This study investigated the characteristics of urban agriculture and farmers' climate change adaptation in Wa township, Ghana. Mixed methods, including surveys of 362 urban households and 12 key informant interviews, were employed. Urban agriculture was found to be characterized by the production of animals like chickens, sheep, and goats, and crops such as maize, yam, beans, cabbage, and pumpkin, with land acquired through purchase or from relatives and friends. A strong relationship between residential class and urban farming type, and a moderate relationship between residential class and land acquisition type, were observed.

Ada Górna · · Singapore

This chapter discusses a case study of urban agriculture in Singapore, a rapidly developing metropolis almost completely reliant on food imports. Authorities are promoting modern technology-based food production solutions to improve food self-sufficiency. Research demonstrated that top-down administrative decisions are particularly crucial to the spatial distribution of urban farming, and due to dynamic changes in the city's spatial and functional structure, urban agriculture, especially instances not matching promoted development directions, faces challenges and will undergo spatial and qualitative changes in the coming years.

Triantya Wahyu Wirati, Allya Sofiana Assyifa, Mochamad Fakhriy Afif · Journal of Digital Business and Innovation Management · Global

This research aims to analyze the design of an e-commerce website system for urban farming to optimize its potential through appropriate information technology application. Urban farming, particularly hydroponics, is presented as a solution for limited land in urban areas, offering efficient water use and faster growth. It is hoped that this research will support the growth and sustainability of urban agriculture and open new opportunities in marketing, inventory management, and efficient operational management.

Ricardo Jacobs · Oxford University Press eBooks · Global

This chapter argues that rapid urbanization and global capitalism are destroying established livelihoods faster than creating new ones, leading to a growing surplus population. Dispossessed rural classes are reproducing themselves in urban spaces and converging with wage laborers to create agricultural livelihoods in cities of both the global South and North. This makes urban agriculture an important arena for land struggles and a livelihood option, shaping urbanization and socioecological relations.

Catharina Any Sulistyowati, Suraya Afiff, Muhammad Baiquni, Mia Siscawati · Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik · Global

This study contributes to the geographic mapping of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) studies in Scopus-indexed social science journals, tracing the emergence and development of diverse CSA models, its political economy context, and the pattern of research themes across geographic areas. Findings reveal that the urban middle class in industrial countries can encourage farmers to produce healthy food and apply more sustainable farming systems. A limitation of this study is the lack of literature on CSA from non-western or non-industrialized countries.

Eleni Oikonomaki, Ilektra Papadaki, Christina Kakderi · Land · Global

This paper examined 100 citizen-led urban greening projects globally, categorizing them by greenery type, stakeholders, implementation mode, and smart technology use. Fully citizen-led initiatives often focused on urban farms and food growing, while scaling projects frequently received support from public authorities or NGOs. Websites and social media facilitated participation and knowledge sharing, but advanced digital technologies for real-time monitoring and evidence-based decision-making were rarely integrated.

Sonia Gatchair · · Jamaica (Kingston)

In Kingston, Jamaica's largest urban space, systematic efforts to stimulate the adoption of commercially viable urban agriculture have lagged. This study examines the facilitators and impediments to commercially viable urban agriculture, arguing that knowledge transfer and the adoption of innovative, technology-driven approaches to farming, financing, and marketing are needed for success.

Marta Rudnicka-Bogusz · Civil And Environmental Engineering Reports · Global

This study presents three lesser-known theories of W. Czerny, L. Zimowski, and O. Hansen regarding the “agricultural city,” alongside theories by L. Migge and F.L. Wright. It focuses on the role of agriculture within the city framework and its implications for future urban built structures. Urban farming is positioned as a multifunctional tool contributing to food security, ecological sustainability, community resilience, and social cohesion within the concept of a regenerative city.

Monsuru Adekunle Salisu, Yusuf Opeyemi Oyebamiji, Omowunmi Kayode Ahmed, Noraziyah Abd Aziz Shamsudin, Yusoff Siti Fairuz, Yusuff Oladosu, Mohd Rafii Yusop, Zulkefly Sulaiman, Fatai Arolu · AIMS Agriculture and Food · Global

This systematic review, utilizing the PRISMA framework, focused on emerging trends in soilless technologies for urban agriculture in the post-pandemic era. It examined the environmental impact, resource efficiency, and water usage of soilless farming techniques such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional soil-based farming. The review suggests that these innovative strategies hold promise in fostering sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring food security.

Yi‐Ya Hsu, Hoon Han · Cities · Australia (Sydney)

This paper examines the location and floor space use of urban food system functions in Sydney, Australia, and visualizes 3D foodscapes through spatial and temporal analysis. The research identified eight food functions and their temporal colocation relationships over 10 years. The findings contribute to urban food planning by mapping Sydney's urban food system in 3D and considering its relationship with the socio-economic context.

Ouiam Fatiha Boukharta, Iona Yuelu Huang, Laura H. Vickers, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia, Leticia Chico-Santamarta · Agronomy · Global

This systematic literature review investigated the benefits of non-commercial urban agriculture (NCUA) forms and their contribution to food production. It collected 1355 articles from qualified search engines, ultimately analyzing 40 articles. The findings indicate that implementing NCUA practices yields multifaceted social, economic, and environmental benefits, including improving people's health, reducing food expenditure, and creating sustainable cities. The review also noted that awareness of urban agriculture and the recognition of its benefits differ between developed and developing countries.

Amanullah, Urooj Khan · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

This commentary explores modern agronomy concepts such as precision agriculture, urban agriculture, and agroecology. It aims to demonstrate their potential to enhance public health by improving food quality, enhancing nutrition, and safeguarding the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. The commentary discusses the implications of these practices for public health.

G. Ananth Kumar, A. Supriya, G. Soumya, B. Thriveni, Dr. Sandhya C, H. Sai Kumar Reddy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

The Innovative Water Management Protocol introduces a strategy for sustainable urban agriculture in smart cities. This approach optimizes irrigation water usage by integrating intelligent sensors, data analysis, and automated processes, utilizing real-time information on soil moisture, weather, and plant needs. It also incorporates IoT-enabled devices for remote monitoring via mobile applications, aiming to conserve water, foster environmental sustainability, and enhance food security.

Ming-Jie Tay, Tuan Hock Ng, Ying-San Lim · Environmental and Sustainability Indicators · Malaysia

To explore farmers' motivations for participating in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in Malaysia, 15 farmers were interviewed one-on-one at their farms using snowball sampling, with each session lasting 1-2 hours. The findings indicated that CSA not only provides economic benefits for farmers but also promotes eco-friendly food production and distribution, while enhancing social equity within local communities. The three qualitative indicators inherent to CSA serve as essential pillars advocating for the expansion of CSA initiatives and a supportive policy environment for sustainable food production systems.

Jill L. Edmondson · Cell Reports Sustainability · Global

Growing fruits and vegetables in cities is recognized as a potential contributor to local food security and can provide additional benefits for urban dwellers. However, it is crucial to ensure equity in access to land for all urban communities and to support the development of necessary skills and knowledge for successful cultivation.

M. P. PADOVAN, A. FEIDEN, O. M. KOMORI, E. A. Guimarães Costa, R. da S. CAMPOS · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Global

At the Agroecol 2024 event, nine proposals were developed to strengthen agroecology and sustainable development in the face of the climate emergency. These proposals include strengthening agroecology in family farming, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, urban and peri-urban agriculture, promoting diversified production and short commercialization circuits, training processes in biodiverse agroecological systems, strengthening public research, and providing qualified technical assistance and credit tailored to farmers' needs.

Alan Bentancor Cabrera, Inés Gazzano, Beatriz Bellenda Carneiro · REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE AGROECOLOGIA · Uruguay (Montevideo)

This study investigated food production, nutritional contributions, necessary labor time, and satisfaction levels in three agroecological urban community gardens (HUAC) in Montevideo, Uruguay. It integrated secondary information, interviews with qualified informants, and analysis of field records. Results indicated that these HUACs produce significant volumes of quality food capable of covering individuals' nutritional requirements, potentially satisfying between 34% and 74% of recommended intake, and gardeners perceive HUACs as contributing around 42% of the food they consume.

Ada Górna · · Rwanda (Kigali)

This chapter examines urban agriculture in Kigali, Rwanda, discussing its distribution, structural, production, and organizational features within the city. Crop fields are primarily found in marshy valleys and on hill slopes, with their area and structure varying by location. Terrain and residents' nutritional needs, including the use of wasteland for food production, are important factors influencing agricultural distribution.

Nurzawani Azuwa · INTI JOURNAL. · Malaysia

This study aimed to explore the intention behind community garden participation at Taman Tasik Ilmu. Data was collected using an online questionnaire from 40 participants, gathering information on demographics, gardening knowledge, reasons for participation, and opinions on facilities and garden management. Descriptive analysis indicated that the primary motivation for participants to join the community garden program was to fill their free time.

M.N.H. Daud, Mohd Lip Jabit, Noorzalianee Ghazali, J.C.L. Ying · Food Research · Malaysia

This study aimed to evaluate scientific information on major phenolic compounds, including quercetin, protocatechuic acid, and gallic acid, from vegetables cultivated in Malaysian urban farming communities. Leafy and non-leafy vegetables were collected, and phenolic compounds were detected using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Based on the data, most collected vegetables contained the targeted major phenolic compounds, with leaf mustard showing the highest content of quercetin, protocatechuic acid, and gallic acid.

Christine Aubry, Nicolas Rouget, Giulia Giacchè, Joëlle Salomon Cavin · Territoire en mouvement · Global

This abstract introduces two parallel sessions on urban agriculture held at the IGU colloquium in Paris in July 2022. The sessions explored themes such as the convergence of functions and representations of urban agricultures in the Global South and North, and the integration of agricultural practices into neighborhood development.

Yu Hang · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · Global

This study provides a systematic literature review using PRISMA to analyze the ecological, social, and educational benefits of edible landscapes in universities. Research has shown that introducing edible landscapes can improve campus sustainability, educational content, and community engagement. This helps to improve ecological diversity and environmental quality on campuses, enhances awareness and participation of teachers and students in sustainable development, and promotes community identity and social cohesion.

Nordregio, Luciane Aguiar Borges, Ana de Jesus · · Global

This report discusses the barriers and drivers of Urban Agriculture (UA) within the framework of the Horizon 2020 project 'SiEUGreen,' across environmental, technological, economic, social/cultural, and regulatory/institutional aspects. Based on insights from five showcases in Norway, Denmark, Turkey, and China, the results suggest that city food provision and UA systems can be designed considering circular economy regenerative cycles. However, key barriers limiting UA uptake include the need for more evidence-based research, further experimentation for innovative technological developments, high investments, difficulties accessing financial support, underdeveloped business cases, limited recognition of UA's benefits, and behavioral/cultural barriers.

Maria Fernanda Coghi, Duarcides Ferreira Mariosa, Orandi Mina Falsarella · · Portugal

This project aimed to develop and install an optimized aquaponics system at the School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP). The three-floor vertical garden includes two tanks with approximately 2,000 liters of water for fish, three flower boxes, and over 120 positions for growing vegetables. Pedagogical activities involving students from various ISEP courses were also developed in conjunction with this project.