Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
3274 results(13 / 131)
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE IN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY THROUGH URBAN FARMING IN BANDUNG CITY
2025Muhammad Kamil, Switsa Cellindita, Anisa Ana Fitrianti · Jurnal Honai · Indonesia (Bandung)
A literature review focused on Bandung City, Indonesia, examined collaborative governance in urban farming to improve food security during the pandemic. The study found that collaborative governance in implementing urban farming policies was predominantly driven by the community. The urban farming program had a positive impact on Bandung City, reflecting effective and efficient collaborative governance.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageNBS for social innovation
2025Mais Jafari, Rolf Morgenstern, Jonas Runte · · Germany
This chapter analyzed the co-creation pathway of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) in the Dortmund Living Lab, focusing on urban gardening, food forests, and biodiversity. It critically illustrated missing dimensions that hinder innovation, such as business opportunities, legal frameworks, and planning conditions. These identified gaps indicate challenges in governance and implementation for social innovation through NBS.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyBiodiversityClimate changeBridging the Gap: Misaligned Perceptions of Urban Agriculture and Health Between Planning and Design Experts and Urban Farmers in Greater Lomé, Togo
2025Akuto Akpedze Konou, Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Pablo De Roulet, Armel Firmin Kemajou Mbianda, Jérôme Chenal · Land · Togo
This study in Greater Lomé, Togo, interviewed 11 experts and surveyed urban farmers to compare their perceptions of urban agriculture and health. The findings reveal a disconnect: urban farmers identify various challenges, including health-related difficulties, while experts tend to assume different health concerns, highlighting a misalignment between the perspectives of planning and design experts and urban farmers.
Governance failureHealthPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityPotential for urban agriculture: Expert insights on sustainable development goals and future challenges
2025Margarethe Karpe, Jeremías Lachman, Lili Wang, L.F.M. Marcelis, E. Heuvelink · Sustainable Production and Consumption · Global
A Delphi survey with 108 experts explored urban agriculture's potential contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under a scenario of 30% urban food self-sufficiency. Experts identified SDG 7.2 (renewable energies) as a key challenge due to high energy use, and agreed that none of the evaluated SDG targets for urban agriculture will be met by 2030. They also noted a lack of regulations and public policies for innovative agricultural systems.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyGrowing together – How institutional structures influence communal agricultural prosumption types and their potential for continuity
2025Stefan Galley, Rita Saleh, Patrick Bottazzi · Journal of Rural Studies · Switzerland
This qualitative study compares three Swiss communal agricultural prosumption (CAP) types: allotment gardens (AGs), community gardens (CGs), and community supported agriculture (CSA), using Grounded Theory. It found that community-centred CAPs (CSAs, CGs) generate political agency but face financial barriers limiting participation. Individual-centred CAPs (AGs) offer autonomy but have high knowledge requirements and lack political leverage, posing crucial challenges for long-term viability. The study concludes that targeted policy and institutional strategies are needed to ensure the continuity of all CAP types.
Economic viabilityCommunityCSA & TeikeiPolicyEconomicsThe Influence of Female Farmers in Digital Urban Agriculture in Khartoum State: Examining Gender Challenges and Opportunities
2025Nagwa Babiker Abdalla Yousif, Shadia Abdel Rahim Mohammed, Enaam Youssef, S. Behari · Sustainability · Sudan (Khartoum State)
An interview study was conducted with 100 female farmers in Omdurman’s Algamwai area, Khartoum State, Sudan, from 2022 to 2023. This research examined the intersection of gender, technology, and socioeconomic equity in digital urban agriculture. It showed that despite structural inequalities, including 45% restricted land ownership, 5% limited credit access, and inadequate extension services, female farmers are driving innovation and sustainability. Digital urban agriculture provides income opportunities (76% rely on it) and serves as a platform for equitable participation, though systemic disparities need to be addressed.
Equity & displacementDigital agricultureEconomicsPolicyWelfareA Sustainable Regulations to Preserve Commoning in Urban Agriculture: The 'Kultum' (Kuliah Tumbuhan) Series at Selarasa - Jagakarsa Food Lab
2025Muhammad Al Anhar Al Islami · Journal of Excellence Humanities and Religiosity · Indonesia (Jakarta)
This research analyzes the sustainability efforts and educational initiatives adopted by Selarasa - Jagakarsa Food Lab, a peri-urban agriculture initiative in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the context of commoning practices. It investigates resource management, technological innovations, and the contribution of educational initiatives, such as the 'Kultum' (Kuliah Tumbuhan) series, to community knowledge and engagement. The study aims to evaluate the ecological, economic, and social impacts of commoning and document educational initiatives for transferring urban agriculture knowledge, with the goal of identifying challenges and opportunities to improve commoning practices.
CommunityFood educationPolicyCultivating communities: Understanding motivations in urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town, South Africa
2025Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · South Africa (Cape Town)
This study investigated the motivations for urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town's Cape Flats, South Africa, using survey data from 97 participants and interviews across 34 community gardens. While 29 out of 34 gardens prioritized income generation, a tension was found between institutional economic objectives and individual gardeners' motivations. Although 76.3% cited economic reasons, all respondents also valued social, health, and environmental benefits, perceiving gardening as a means to enhance well-being and promote sustainable practices despite structural barriers.
CommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyCommunity Urban Farming: Challenges In Maximising Urban Farm Capacity
2025M.M. Rasmuna, VGR Chandran, J.S. Keshminder · Malaysian journal of consumer and family economics/Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics · Malaysia
This study explored challenges in maximizing the capacity of urban farms for economic viability and sustainability in Malaysia. Through in-depth interviews with urban farmers in several case studies, five key challenges were identified: financial, human capital, environmental, institutional, and psychosocial. These challenges impede the economic viability and sustainability of community urban farming.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsPolicyMunicipalities, Let the People Have Their Chickens and Eat Them, Too
2025Cindy Vong · Journal of Food Law & Policy · Global
This Note argues that municipalities in the United States should permit on-site slaughter of backyard chickens on private residential property. Historically, local governments codified the separation of residential and agricultural uses, leading to bans and restrictions on urban agriculture. The current regulatory vacuum for urban agriculture creates conflicts and uncertainties, and allowing backyard slaughter could strengthen local food systems and regulate a growing urban practice.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceFrom communal urban gardens to profitable businesses: green rationalization in Swedish local sustainability policy
2025Ylva Wallinder, Maria Langa · Environmental Sociology · Sweden
A study investigated the consequences of institutional policy change on urban gardening practices in Swedish municipalities over the last decade. Local sustainability policies have led to an increasingly business-centered model, which clashes even with entrepreneurial gardens. This shift caused associational gardening to give way to an extended focus on entrepreneurship and food production, representing a "green rationalization" of gardening practices in urban sustainability policies that hinders their sustainability potential.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceVisualising and Valuing Urban Agriculture for Land Use Planning: A Critical GIS Analysis of Sydney and Neighbouring Regions
2025Joshua Zeunert, Scott Hawken, Josh Gowers · Land · Australia (Sydney)
A critical GIS analysis was conducted for Sydney and neighboring regions in NSW, Australia, to understand and advocate for Sydney's food production capacity. The study challenged the notion that Sydney's metropolitan landscape has low inherent biophysical quality for agriculture. Despite current metropolitan planning policy that marginalizes agricultural productivity, datasets revealed western Sydney is biophysically well suited for agriculture. Sydney's overall agricultural capacity was found to be comparable to five of six other coastal regions of NSW and superior to at least two, challenging current planning orthodoxy and policy.
Governance failurePolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsFactors affecting the growth of micro and small scale enterprises, addis ababa city administration, ethiopia
2025Tanvir Ahmed · European Economic Letters (EEL) · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This study examined factors influencing the growth of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), including urban agriculture, in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia, surveying 385 business owners, managers, service providers, and local leaders. Multiple regression analysis found that entrepreneurial traits, management and marketing abilities, technology, access to funding, market sufficiency, and legal/regulatory frameworks affect MSE growth. However, the survey revealed that many MSEs received lengthy and intricate legal notices, indicating a need for simpler government processes for licensing and registration.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyUrban Farming Sebagai Strategi Inovasi Manajemen Publik di Kutai Kartanegara
2025Desie Andreastuti, Bimantara Nur Alim · Journal Ilmu Sosial Politik dan Pemerintahan · Indonesia (Kutai Kartanegara)
This study analyzed urban farming as an innovative strategy in public management in Kutai Kartanegara. Using a qualitative methodology based on a literature review, it identified the opportunities, challenges, and impacts of urban farming implementation. The findings indicate that policy support, training, and stakeholder involvement are key to success, demonstrating a collaborative model among government, community, and the private sector to achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityClimate changeViolation of land use regulations for allotment gardens: The case of Warsaw, Poland
2025Grażyna Wiejak-Roy, Jaideep Roy, D. Andrew · Land Use Policy · Poland (Warsaw)
This study examined the market for allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland, using a mixed-method approach including thematic archival analysis of regulations and hedonic regression modeling on posted offers. The findings indicate a poor transaction framework, pricing sensitive to legal and illegal private investments, and prevalent illegal rent-seeking on land. Additionally, increasing investment in allotment gardens was found to reduce biodiversity.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsAnalysis of the Performance of Women Farmers Group Using CPI and WP Methods Based on WebGIS
2025Ahmad Fadil, Budi Susetyo, Fety Fatimah · e-Jurnal Penyelidikan dan Inovasi · Indonesia (Bogor)
This study analyzed the performance of Women's Farmer Groups (KWT) in Bogor City, Indonesia, by comparing the Weighted Product (WP) and Composite Performance Index (CPI) methods and designing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map KWT distribution. Using 2022 KWT data, the Mean Square Error (MSE) method was used to compare accuracy. The results showed CPI had an MSE of 0.3, while WP had 0.8, indicating CPI is more accurate. KWT Ciharashas achieved the highest rank (V = 0.0242 for WP and CPI = 66.60).
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicySustainable Practices in Urban Health
2025Richa Joshi, Jagneet Kour, Raino Bhatia · · Global
This chapter will investigate sustainable practices, including green infrastructure like urban forests and community gardens, to improve urban environments and address intertwined challenges. It will examine how green infrastructure enhances air and water quality, creates recreational spaces, and fosters community well-being. The chapter will also explore integrating environmental policies with public health initiatives through sustainable urban planning to create resilient communities with equitable access to green spaces, enhanced public transportation, and clean energy.
HealthCommunityPolicyClimate changeAnalysis of External Factors Affecting the Rumah Anggur Ardo Nursery Business Using PESTEL and Porter's Five Forces
2025Tresia Manalu, Nadya Stefania Hutauruk, Sri Rahayu Sinaga, Riza Indriani · Jurnal Ecoment Global · Indonesia (Medan)
This descriptive qualitative study analyzed external factors affecting the Rumah Anggur Ardo nursery business in Medan, Indonesia, using PESTEL and Porter's Five Forces frameworks. Findings indicate a relatively favorable competitive environment, with urban farming as a hobby presenting a main opportunity. However, significant challenges include high rainfall damaging seedlings and the absence of material support from the government.
Governance failureEconomicsDIYPolicyClimate changeCo-Production in Urban Agriculture Programs in the Kosagrha Lestari Farmer Group, Medokan Ayu Village, Surabaya City
2025Fadhlan Firdaus Syafrudin, Susi Hardjati · Journal of Governance and Social Policy · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This study investigated community participation in urban agriculture programs within the Kosagrha Lestari farmer group in Medokan Ayu Village, Surabaya City, Indonesia. Using a descriptive qualitative method with observation, interviews, and documentation, the research found that community participation in the Kosagrha Lestari urban agriculture program has been going well. However, not all residents are involved, particularly concerning food security in Medokan Ayu Village.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyPenguatan Kelembagaan Kelompok Tani dalam Penerapan Urban Farming-Based Resilient City di Kampung Suryowijayan Yogyakarta
2025Arif Umami, Herdiana Anggrasari, Ni Kadek Ema Sustia Dewi · Jurnal Serambi Abdimas · Indonesia
This service program aimed to strengthen the Surya Makmur Farmer Group in Suryowijayan Village, Yogyakarta, which consists mostly of urban housewives, by increasing their motivation and knowledge of institutional functions. The program, conducted in three stages (preparation, implementation, and evaluation), resulted in an increase in group members' motivation and understanding of institutional roles.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyResilience in Food Systems – Response and Adaptation to Shocks and Disruptions: The Case of the Phillipi Horticultural Area in Cape Town, South Africa
2025A. Bayat, H. Govera · Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir landbouvoorligting/South African journal of agricultural extension · South Africa (Cape Town)
This study descriptively investigated the vulnerability to shocks and pressures of the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA), a key urban food-producing region in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were collected through surveys with stakeholders from government, the private sector, NGOs, private individuals, and informal settlers. Key findings revealed insufficient governance commitment, a lack of multi-stakeholder collaboration, and the growing threat of urban development on agricultural land.
Governance failurePeri-urban agriculturePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageThe influence of payments and time payments: Preconditions to implement nature-based solutions in Austrian cities
2025Ulrike Pröbstl‐Haider, Magdalena Feilhammer, Alice Wanner · Cities · Austria
This paper analyzed opportunities and barriers for implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) in Austrian cities. A survey of 1055 urban residents investigated conditions under which NBS reduce particulate matter, NO2, and air temperature. Results highlighted the relevance of design types like green corridors and community gardens, and the importance of direct and time payments, indicating that a €45 payment with a 10-minute walking distance to home was acceptable if high environmental benefits were achieved.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeRethinking Urban Planning in a Post-Pandemic World: Reverse Globalization, Resilient Cities, and the Case of New York City
2025Yingqi Zhu · Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies · United States (New York City)
This study analyzes innovative urban planning responses in New York City following the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the intersection of reverse globalization and resilient city theory. It investigates how NYC's adaptive initiatives, such as the Open Streets program and upscaling urban agriculture, improved local autonomy, flexibility, and community resilience. The research assesses how decentralized, neighborhood-scale solutions and participatory governance systems can address urban vulnerabilities and promote long-term sustainability, offering planning lessons for other global cities.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeDe la gestion des déchets à l’agriculture urbaine : circularités et tensions des filières de matières organiques à Nkayi (République du Congo)
2025Noémie Régeard · L’Espace Politique · Congo
This article explores the circularity of organic matter streams in Nkayi, an intermediate city in Congo, through interviews and observations. The qualitative inquiry reveals the coexistence of institutional household waste streams, supported by a development project, and informal organic matter streams, identified through intra- and peri-urban agricultural practices. These streams are subject to various socio-territorial, political, and economic tensions.
Governance failureOrganic cycleCompostPolicyEconomicsCommunityCambio climático con análisis multifuncional: Infraestructura Verde como solución basada en la Naturaleza
2025Julián Briz Escribano, Isabel de Felipe Boente · Revista española de estudios agrosociales y pesqueros/Revista española de estudios agrosociales y pesqueros · Spain
This study addresses various climate change-related functions and climate issues, particularly in urban areas. A holistic analytical method for green infrastructure is proposed as a nature-based solution, based on its structure, behavior, and functioning. Dimensions emerging with climate change and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), such as urban agriculture and agrifitness, are identified, and the situation in Spain is described.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkagePolicyBiodiversity