Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
390 results(13 / 16)
A review of urban farming research: taxonomy, challenges and future research direction
2019Siti Aisyah Salim, Zawiyah Mohammad Yusof, Laili Farhana Md Ibharim, Siti Hajar · Scientific Repository (Petra Christian University) · Southeast Asia
This study conducts a structured literature review on urban farming activities in Southeast Asia, presenting its taxonomy and future research directions. Analyzing 88 articles from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus, it focused on urban farming activities, technology applications, and smallholder farming. The review identified benefits of urban farming in Southeast Asia, challenges hindering its utilization, and recommendations to improve the acceptance and use of urban farming applications.
Digital agriculturePolicyEconomicsNature, Technology, & the Pursuit of Justice: Urban Agriculture Networks in San Diego County
2019Blaire O’Neal · · United States (San Diego County)
This research investigates the significance of soil in distinguishing urban agriculture forms in San Diego County and examines how soil-based and soilless growing methods relate to justice. The results illustrate that while the way food is grown is important for urban agriculture organizations' identity and practices, it is only one of many factors influencing justice, such as socio-spatial context. Justice is an ongoing process that evolves as urban agriculture commodities travel through their circuits and interact with placed networks filled with intentions, actions, discourses, objects, actors, and forces.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureExploring the Environmental Performance of Urban Symbiosis for Vertical Hydroponic Farming
2019Michael Martin, Sofia Poulikidou, Elvira Molin · Sustainability · Global
This study used life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of using urban residual material flows in vertical hydroponic farming. It assessed replacing conventional growing media with paper, compost, and brewers’ spent grains, and conventional fertilizers with biogas digestate. The results indicate significant environmental performance benefits when conventional growing media are replaced, and substantial potential benefits, though less significant, when fertilizers from residual urban streams are used, suggesting potential for more circular hydroponic systems.
Organic cycleClimate changeEconomicsDigital agricultureSolar powered internet of things for urban framing
2019Wang, Jiaxin · DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) · Singapore
This project focuses on developing novel sensing and monitoring techniques for urban farming environments, particularly in land-scarce areas like Singapore, to enhance food security. It introduces various IoT platforms and elements, illustrates radio frequency and Bluetooth low energy communication principles, and explains data transmission using IDE programming. The project aims to design a system capable of temperature measurement and TDS value detection in water, combining different sensors with Arduino design.
Digital agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceSmarthoods: Aquaponics Integrated Microgrids
2019Florijn de Graaf, Simon Goddek · · Global
This research proposes integrating a neighborhood microgrid with a decoupled multi-loop aquaponics facility to enhance self-sufficiency and flexibility. This "Smarthood" concept, connecting Food–Water–Energy flows, significantly improves microgrid performance. The integration achieved 95.38% power and 100% heat self-sufficiency due to the flexibility of thermal mass, pumps, and lighting systems.
Digital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsDevelopment of Smart Farming Technologies in Malaysia
2019Gabriel Wei En Wee, Haritharan Devanthran · TEST Engineering & Management · Malaysia
This paper explored the development and adoption of smart farming technologies in Malaysia through a meta-analysis of worldwide scientific literature and perspectives from experienced farmers. Research on smart farming in Malaysia began in 1999, with "Internet of Things" identified as the most researched technology. The development trend points towards urban farming solutions and sustainable agriculture.
Digital agricultureClimate changeUrban–rural linkageCartoforum – A Map-Based Discussion Forum with Applications in the Planning of Cycle Lanes, Community Food Gardens and Campus Sustainability
2019Justin Pierre, Victoria Fast, Jyothi Kumari, Claus Rinner · GI_Forum · Canada (Toronto)
Cartoforum is a map-based discussion forum developed using the Boundless geostack for crowdsourcing public planning ideas. This paper presents its software architecture and functionality through three pilot studies: cycle lane planning in Toronto, Canada, community garden site-selection in the Toronto region, and campus sustainability at the University of Kerala, India. These studies demonstrate Cartoforum's utility in argumentation mapping and its potential for citizen participation.
CommunityPolicyDigital agricultureThe second green revolution: Innovative urban agriculture's contribution to food security and sustainability – A review
2019Dian Triastari Armanda, Jeroen B. Guinée, Arnold Tukker · Global Food Security · Global
This review examined emerging innovative urban agriculture (IUA) practices, revitalized since 2010 by scientific knowledge and agricultural technology. It assessed IUA's potential contribution to food security and environmental sustainability by comparing scientific literature and actual data from eighteen practitioners worldwide. The most productive IUA practice can yield up to 140 kg of vegetables per m2/year, indicating IUA's potential to support local food supply, strengthen the food value chain, and apply more sustainable practices for global food security.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeDigital agricultureDESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMART VERTICAL GARDEN SYSTEM FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE IN MALAYSIA
2019Munirah Hayati Hamidon, Samsuzana Abd Aziz, Tofael Ahamed, MUHAMMAD RAZIF MAHADI · Jurnal Teknologi · Malaysia
This research designed a compact smart vertical garden system for urban agriculture in Malaysia and analyzed the growth performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) within it, comparing it to a commercial conventional hydroponic system. The bottom stack of lettuce in the vertical garden showed maximum height, highest leaf count, and width, though only height had a significant difference across stacks (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the smart vertical garden system and the conventional hydroponic system for lettuce height, number of leaves, or leaf width.
Digital agricultureDIYEconomicsEffectiveness of Agricultural Innovation in Urban Policy : Consideration on Case Studies in Kawasaki City
2019賢二 徳田, 春霞 李 · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Japan (Kawasaki City)
This study examined the current state of urban agriculture in Kawasaki City and the effectiveness of its multifaceted agricultural innovation policies. In Kawasaki City, while urban farmland is decreasing due to population growth and urbanization, there is a movement towards high-value-added agriculture utilizing ICT, as well as promoting local production for local consumption through new variety development, improved distribution channels, market mechanisms, and collaboration with local retailers. The city aims to improve agricultural management and enhance value creation as an industrial policy, and to ensure appropriate use and conservation of urban farmland as a social policy, thereby building a high-value-added supply chain.
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageDigital agricultureRANCANGAN KEGIATAN EDUCATION FARMING USAHA TANIHIDROPONIK DI PT ABC SEBAGAI URBAN FARMING
2019M.Si. Indra, Fitriani Fitriani, Handayani Sri · · Indonesia (Bandar Lampung)
This study outlines the plan for PT ABC, a hydroponic urban farm in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, to develop an "education farming" initiative. The objectives were to describe the business process, identify necessary resources, and design the activities for this educational program, which aims to teach the community about utilizing limited urban land for agriculture. The proposed plan includes defining activity stages, identifying resources such as inventory, promotion, and infrastructure, and structuring activity packages and production processes.
Food educationCommunityDigital agricultureA REVIEW OF URBAN FARMING ACTIVITIES: TAXONOMY, CHALLENGES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH
2019Siti Aisyah Salim, Zawiyah Mohammad Yusof, Laili Farhana Md Ibharim, Siti Hajar Salim · Journal of Building Performance · Southeast Asia
This structured literature review examines urban farming activities, technology applications, and smallholder farming in Southeast Asia, where urban farming is limited and dispersed. The study selected 88 articles from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus to provide a taxonomy and future research directions. It identifies the benefits, challenges, and recommendations for improving the acceptance and use of urban farming applications in the region.
Urban–rural linkageDigital agricultureEconomicsPolicy“WETWALL” — an innovative design concept for the treatment of wastewater at an urban scale
2018Joana Castellar, Carlos Alberto Arias, Pedro N. Carvalho, Martina Rysulová, Joan Canals, Gabriel Pérez, Montserrat Bosch González, Jordi Farreras Morató · Desalination and Water Treatment · Global
The WETWALL design concept proposes a unique ecotechnology for secondary wastewater treatment at an urban scale, integrating constructed wetlands and modular living walls into a modular living wall hybrid flow. This article reviews existing living walls treating wastewater, focusing on nitrate and phosphate removal, and presents the WETWALL concept, including component selection (plants, substrate) and operational strategies. It also discusses potential interactions with the urban environment, aiming to substantiate WETWALL's potential as an innovative urban wastewater treatment.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleDigital agricultureFood on the Roof : Developing an IT platform to visualize and identify suitable locations for roof farming in cold climates
2018Agatino Rizzo, Marcus Sandberg, Tim Johansson, Johan Wenngren · Diva portal (Dalarna University Library) · Global
This project aimed to explore the smart integration of food production in cold urban environments and to sketch an intelligent platform to guide a comprehensive, city-wide approach to urban farming in winter cities. The challenge involved integrating large databases related to energy consumption, building performance and size, and solar radiation, to visualize data in an easily understandable manner for city stakeholders.
Digital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeFood educationIntegration of Autonomous Wireless Sensor Networks in Academic School Gardens
2018Peio López-Iturri, Mikel Celaya-Echarri, Leyre Azpilicueta, Erik Aguirre, José Javier Astráin, Jesús Villadangos, Francisco Falcone · Sensors · Global
An autonomous Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) system combined with MySchoolGardenApp was deployed in an orchard in a primary schoolyard for integration into educational activities. Built with EnOcean's energy harvesting modules, the system provides students with parameter observation, data analysis, and processing capabilities. Preliminary trials demonstrated the platform's feasibility as an educational resource in schools, applicable to natural science course content, technological skill development, and extending monitoring capabilities.
Digital agricultureFood educationKAJIAN POTENSI PENGEMBANGAN PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN DI KOTA SEMARANG
2018Wiwandari Handayani, Prihadi Nugroho, Dini Oktaviani Hapsari · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia (Semarang)
This study used descriptive and spatial analyses with secondary and primary data to assess the potential and co-benefits of urban farming in Semarang City, Indonesia. It identified two types of urban farming: conventional approaches in the city outskirts and hydroponic or limited-space methods in the city center. The study found various potentials, including vegetables, cassava, sugarcane, durian, and mushrooms, and noted co-benefits across environmental, economic, social, health, education, and tourism aspects.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureDigital agriculturePROMOTE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS USING E-COMMUNITY SUPPORTED SYSTEM
2018Amit Salunke, Ms. Shradha Shinde, Ms. Aishwarya Tone · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · Global
A web and Android e-Community Supported Agriculture (e-CSA) system was developed using the software development life cycle. A survey on the impact of local agricultural products through this application indicated benefits for both customers and farmers. Customers gain fair prices, fresh organic products, and access to rare items, while farmers can increase sales, minimize loss, and improve transportation control, contributing to local economic growth.
CSA & TeikeiDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityGeneración de un ambiente controlado para semilleros de huertos urbanos con freertos y arduino
2018Joseph González, Itza Morales, Alain Cuenca García, Vladimir Villarreal · Revista de Iniciación Científica · Global
An electronic system was developed to create a controlled environment for urban garden seedbeds within a small greenhouse. This system uses humidity and temperature sensors connected to an Arduino UNO microcontroller, managed by the FreeRTOS real-time operating system. It generates the necessary environmental conditions, including irrigation, heating, and ventilation, to ensure proper seed germination and seedling growth, thereby preventing losses and production delays.
DIYDigital agricultureA Study on the Development Strategies of Smart City Infrastructure Considering Residents’ Demands and the Concept of Urban Regeneration - Focused on the Area of Gamcheon2-Dong, Busan -
2018B. Lee, Seong-Woo Nam, Young-Hyeon Kim · Journal of the Urban Design Institute of Korea Urban Design · South Korea
This study aimed to establish concepts for introducing smart city facilities in existing urban areas and systematic maintenance plans for smartifying existing urban facilities in Gamcheon2-Dong, Busan, South Korea. Based on field surveys and resident demand surveys, it proposed smartification and networking of facilities connecting public spaces, and smartification of public/welfare facilities and resident-led projects like urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and promote profitable ventures. Legal improvements were also suggested, including exceptions to area regulations and modularization of smart city facilities, to facilitate their integration with urban regeneration projects.
CommunityDigital agriculturePolicyMOBILE APPS SEBAGAI PENUNJANG KEGIATAN URBAN AGRICULTURE DI KOTA BANDUNG
2018Vika Adriati Praditriyani · Visualita Jurnal Online Desain Komunikasi Visual · Indonesia (Bandung)
This research designed and tested a mobile application to support urban agriculture activities in Bandung, Indonesia. Targeting community members aged 18-30 with environmental interests, the app provided content on urban agriculture concepts, utilizing narrow land for productive green spaces, and plant care information. Testing showed that most users found a flexible digital medium helpful and necessary for maximizing urban agriculture activities in the city.
Digital agricultureCommunityFood educationImplementasi Internet of Things pada Sistem Irigasi Tetes dalam Membantu Pemanfaatan Urban Farming
2018Doni Kurniawan, Y Yaddarabullah, Galih Suprayitno · Proceeding of The URECOL · Indonesia
This study implemented an IoT-based drip irrigation system for urban farming. Trial results showed that the system saved 40% of water used for plant irrigation by automatically dispensing the necessary amount. It also allowed real-time monitoring and control of plants via smartphone.
Digital agricultureDIYClimate changeNew Technological Knowledge, Rural and Urban Agriculture, and Steady State Economic Growth
2018Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Karima Kourtit, Peter Nijkamp · Munich Personal RePEc Archive (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) · Global
This study uses a dynamic model to analyze the growth effects of new agricultural technology adoption in rural-urban settings. It determines the steady-state growth rate of agricultural output per worker in rural regions and defines an urban-to-rural agricultural technology knowledge ratio to compute the urban region's growth rate. The analysis also examines the ratio of agricultural output per worker between urban and rural regions at balanced growth and discusses policy implications.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageDigital agriculture도시농업 발전방향에 따른 도시농업전문가양성 교육과정 연구
2018김정식, 한미영 · · South Korea
This study examined the suitability of urban agriculture expert training programs in South Korea, surveying students in Daejeon in 2018. Over 60% of students viewed experts as knowledge transmitters, with most motivated by qualification acquisition. While major city programs focused on basic cultivation, the study concluded that current curricula are insufficient for future urban agriculture trends. It recommended adding programs on urban community understanding, industrialization, cooperative agriculture, and farm management.
Governance failureFood educationPolicyCommunityDigital agricultureBuilding an Urban Food System Through UDC Food Hubs
2018Sabine O’Hara, Dwane Jones, Harris B. Trobman · Advances in higher education and professional development book series · United States
The Landgrant College of the University of the District of Columbia operates urban food hubs as the only exclusively urban land-grant university in the United States. These hubs utilize bio-intensive hydroponic and aquaponic systems and green roofs to maximize productivity in small urban spaces, and kitchens serve as business incubators and training facilities. They also promote waste and water reuse through composting, rainwater capture, and green infrastructure, offering training, wellness, and leadership opportunities to UDC students and DC residents.
Food educationEconomicsCommunityCompostDigital agriculturePolicyAquaponics in Urban Agriculture: Social Acceptance and Urban Food Planning
2017Georgia Pollard, James Ward, Barbara A Koth · Horticulturae · Australia (Adelaide)
A study in Adelaide, Australia, investigated the social acceptance of aquaponics and its role in urban food planning through focus groups and interviews with urban food opinion leaders and local government officials. Most participants were unfamiliar with aquaponics, and perceived negatives received more attention than benefits. Urban growers' views on overcomplicated urban food planning aligned with mixed policy responses from local government areas towards urban agriculture, indicating a lack of consistent governance.
Governance failureDigital agriculturePolicyCommunityEconomics