Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
4122 results(138 / 165)
The Effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Stay-type Allotment Gardens and Some Issues of the Response to the Effects
2012Masao Makiyama, Mami Inoue · JOURNAL OF RURAL PLANNING ASSOCIATION · Japan
This study investigated the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Fudouson and Hippo stay-type allotment gardens in Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Immediately after the earthquake, management entities confirmed user safety and conducted rescue operations. Post-earthquake, some users retired, but the gardens gained new users who were earthquake victims or reconstruction workers.
CommunityPolicyWelfareForecast of Land use Change for Efficient Development of Urban-Agricultural city
2012Se-Kun Kim, Seung-Hee Han · Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science · South Korea
In Kimje-si, South Korea, land use changes were analyzed and future changes beyond 2030 were forecasted using LANDSAT TM imagery, HSB transformation, and a Markov Chain method with GIS data. Geographical features were found to have the greatest influence on land use changes, with 21.67% of mountain lands predicted to become farmland and 13.11% to become city areas.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealth impact assessment in the island of Ireland
2012Owen Metcalfe, Claire Higgins, T. Lavin · Oxford University Press eBooks · Ireland
This chapter considers the development of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the island of Ireland over a 10-year period. While not a statutory requirement, HIA has received some support from national and local government as a decision-support tool to enhance healthy public policy. New public health frameworks in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2012 have the potential to embed HIA more systematically. The Institute of Public Health in Ireland has played a key role in building capacity for HIA and supporting its practice, with a case study examining how HIA was used to add a health and health inequalities lens to a cross-border community garden development program.
HealthPolicyCommunityUrban Farming in the West: A New Deal Experiment in Subsistence Homesteads (review)
2012James E. McWilliams · Southwestern historical quarterly · United States
This is a review of Robert Carriker's book "Urban Farming in the West: A New Deal Experiment in Subsistence Homesteads", which examines the Division of Subsistence Homesteads (DSH) program in the American West. The DSH, established in 1933 by the New Deal, aimed to redistribute population and support self-sufficient homesteads. Carriker's work offers a balanced perspective on the program, noting that "confusion over disparate objectives" and bureaucratic conflicts ultimately undermined its goals.
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageCharacteristics and Innovation:Research on Development of Urban Agriculture——Take Qianjin Village,Jiangxi Distrjct,Wuhan for Example
2012Shu Chang-jun · Hubei nongye kexue · China (Wuhan)
This research discussed measures for building a new urban agriculture system in Qianjin Village, Jinkou Street, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, China. The system relies on urban resources, aligns with construction and urban development, and possesses distinctive features.
CommunityPolicyReflections on the Metropolitan Rural Village Renovation Planning
2012Xin Guan · Economic Research Guide · Global
This discussion emphasizes the necessity of village renovation planning in metropolitan rural outskirts, particularly when combined with new land use and urban village layout plans. It outlines five key considerations for such planning: linking with upper-level plans without direct copying, breaking village ownership boundaries to accelerate land transfer, promoting intensive land use and moving away from canal irrigation, planning for agricultural development to lead urban agriculture trends, and coordinating short-term and long-term goals while retaining flexible space.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureAfrica's Quest for Food Security
2012Godwin Arku, Paul Mkandawire, Nathaniel Djanmah Aguda, Vincent Kuuire · · Africa
The history of urban agriculture in Africa dates back to the colonial era, when farming flourished in urban areas primarily to meet the consumption needs of bureaucrats, settlers, and other elites. Urban agriculture is considered a potentially viable policy response to the complex challenge of feeding a growing urban population amidst declining food production in rural areas.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageCultivating Urbanism: Transforming the Existing City Through Agrarian Interventions
2012Takao Ugai · ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa) · Global
This investigation aims to develop a new urban scheme for "Cultivating Urbanism" by adapting agricultural practices into existing urban fabrics to create pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use, high-density cities filled with agriculture. The study analyzes the history of urban systems and agriculture, drawing on New Urbanism and Agricultural Urbanism to propose new urban typologies. It investigates the paradigm of ecology, lifestyle, food products, and physical and psychological benefits, using Shinjuku, Tokyo, as a case study for applying urban agriculture methodologies to various building prototypes.
PolicyClimate changeCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Livelihoods under a Changing Climate*: Perspectives on Urban Agriculture and Planning in Lusaka, Zambia
2012Danny Simatele, Tony Binns, Munacinga Simatele · Journal of Human Development and Capabilities · Zambia (Lusaka)
This field-based research in Lusaka, Zambia, examines the impact of climate change and urban governance on urban agriculture, which serves as a source of food and income for poor households amidst deteriorating economies. The study finds that urban agriculture is often excluded from urban development and planning policy, posing significant challenges for small-scale farmers to achieve food security. A lack of policies supporting the urban poor, combined with climatic changes like drought and flooding, makes it difficult for households to adapt to the changing urban environment.
Governance failureClimate changePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceWelfare空间系统、产业系统和景观系统复合视角下的都市农业基地设计——以眉山市“中国·泡菜城”为例
2012叶林, 魏皓严 · 规划师 · China (Meishan)
The design of the Meishan "China Pickled Vegetable City" urban agricultural base proposed a design concept from the composite perspectives of spatial, industrial, and landscape systems, aiming to maintain ecological patterns, promote industrial integration, and continue rural landscape characteristics. By strengthening the ecological, production, and living functions of the urban agricultural base, and constructing a rational spatial layout, complete industrial structure, and unique landscape system, this design provides insights for similar urban agricultural base designs.
Urban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicyCommunityThe purpose of urban food production in developed countries
2012Silvio Caputo · Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) · United Kingdom
This paper argues for a new role for urban agriculture in developed countries, focusing on environmental, social, and economic benefits. While urban agriculture can contribute to a low-carbon society and food access, it is not currently part of UK government strategies for food security. For urban agriculture to achieve its potential, it needs to become economically viable, requiring research into highly productive methods and business models utilizing local urban resources.
Economic viabilityPolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeCultivating Respect for Difference: Exploring the Enactment of Community at HOPE Garden in Parkdale, Toronto
2012Monica J Kelly · Scholarship@Western (Western University) · Canada (Toronto)
An ethnographic study conducted in summer 2010 at HOPE community garden in Parkdale, Toronto, explored how collective belonging is built. The research found that differences and interpersonal conflicts within the garden were embraced as opportunities to strengthen community cohesion. Contrary to romanticized views of harmonious community gardens, the study revealed that conflicts, negotiation of differences, and institutional practices of inclusion and anti-discrimination significantly contribute to a successful and inclusive community project.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicySostenibile per necessitŕ. Breve storia dell'agricoltura urbana a Cuba
2012Alberto Graglia, Giulia Mazzanti · TERRITORIO · Cuba
This paper reflects on the conditions that enabled the rapid and large-scale spread of urban agriculture practices in Cuba, making it an emblematic example of reducing economic dependency on oil. The success of urban agriculture in Cuba is attributed to the country's unique history and its economic and political circumstances.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justicePost‐Industrial Imaginaries: Nature, Representation and Ruin in Detroit, Michigan
2012Nate Millington · International Journal of Urban and Regional Research · United States
This article analyzes representations of urban nature in Detroit, Michigan, focusing on journalistic and photographic work over the past 5 years. These representations, part of a discourse on Detroit's decline, ultimately reflect dominant conceptual divisions between the city and nature. Journalists and commentators perceive nature in the city as a reflection of the city's absence rather than its materiality, suggesting an ambivalence about emergent urban ecologies.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageDemonstration practices and effects of new agro-technologies developed at Luancheng Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences over the last 30 years
2012Chunsheng Hu, Jiang-Hai Zeng, Shao-Ren WANG · Zhongguo shengtai nongye xuebao · China
This paper reviews the demonstration practices and achievements of the Luancheng Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences over 30 years in Luancheng County, Hebei Province. Since the early 1980s, the station has pioneered research and demonstration of new technologies such as facility agriculture, rural new energy, straw mechanized mulching, and standardized wheat cultivation. Since the early 2000s, it has focused on urban agriculture models centered on information technology.
Urban–rural linkageDigital agriculturePolicyUrban Agriculture: Feeding New York in New York
2012T.M. Anholts · Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · United States (New York City)
This paper, written for the TIDO-course AR0532 Smart & Bioclimatic Design Theory, proposes utilizing the urban environment for agricultural activities in New York. It states the importance of offering a place to experiment and showcase opportunities for the design of a new environmental council to be added to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
PolicyCommunityOne Health and EcoHealth in Ontario: a qualitative study exploring how holistic and integrative approaches are shaping public health practice in Ontario
2012Zee Leung, Dean Middleton, Karen Morrison · BMC Public Health · Canada (Ontario)
This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews with ten participants from the public health sphere in Ontario, explored how One Health and EcoHealth approaches are shaping public health practice. Four major themes emerged: the importance of connecting human health with the environment, the role of governance in promoting these ideas, the value of partnerships, and the challenge of operationalizing holistic approaches.
HealthCommunityPolicyGrowing alone, growing together, growing apart?: Reflections on the social organisation of voluntary urban food production in Britain
2012Richard Wiltshire, Louise Geoghegan · Research Portal (King's College London) · United Kingdom
This chapter explores the social organization of voluntary urban food production in Britain, identifying two dominant modes: collective activities and individual allotment gardens. It notes that the organization of unpaid labor is an under-researched aspect and a key restraint on urban agriculture's expansion. The study found that relations between these two modes can be antagonistic, particularly when land is scarce.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsResearch on SWOT Analysis of Urban Agricul Development in Tongling and the Countermeasures
2012Tian Zhi-an · Science Technology and Industry · China (Tongling)
A SWOT analysis of urban agriculture development in Tongling City, China, found that the city's urban agriculture conditions are mature. The study recommends leveraging policy support, planning guidance, and scientific and technological support to accelerate its development.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityEnvironmeNT grants making a real difference
2012Karl Hampton · · Australia
The EnvironmeNT grants initiative has supported various areas, including Indigenous Ranger groups for weed management, wildlife rescue services, school recycling projects, and the establishment of community gardens. It also provided funds for threatened species protection and feral animal impact reduction.
CommunityPolicyA Farmer and Librarian’s Perspective on Urban Agriculture: What the Urban Farmer Needs from Public Policy
2012Barbara Strauss · EngagedScholarship @ Cleveland State University (Cleveland State University) · United States
A presentation was given at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law symposium, "Urban Agriculture: It’s Not an Oxymoron. Policies for Cultivating City Land and Increasing Access to Local Food," which focused on policy, land-use, and other legal issues related to urban agriculture and the local food movement. The Sustainability Research Guide from the Michael Schwartz Library was also introduced during this presentation.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunitySustaining livelihoods under a changing climate: the case of urban agriculture in Lusaka, Zambia
2012Mulala Danny Simatele, Tony Binns, Munacinga Simatele · Journal of Environmental Planning and Management · Zambia (Lusaka)
This paper, based on recent field-based research in Lusaka, Zambia, examines the relationships between urban agriculture (UA) and extreme weather conditions, and their impact on the livelihood options of the urban poor. Despite its significance as a source of food and income in many sub-Saharan African cities, UA has not been integrated into urban development and planning policy and has come under increasing pressure from extreme weather events like droughts and flooding over the last two decades.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyEconomicsAnalysis and Optimization of the Industrial Structure in Quanzhou City with the “West Coast of the Taiwan Straits” as the Background
2012Qiu Yan · Journal of Quanzhou Normal University · China (Quanzhou)
This article analyzed Quanzhou City's past ten years of three production sectors, labor structure trends, and their influence on the Strait West Coast economic area's industrial structure. Using GDP proportion, contribution rate, structural similarity, and comparative labor productivity, it suggested that Quanzhou should optimize its industrial structure and promote cross-strait economic zone development. Optimization suggestions included advancing agricultural multi-function transformation, forming regional urban agriculture, fostering strategic emerging industries, and strengthening modern service industries.
EconomicsPolicyDiscussion on Tianjin urban fisheries' development
2012Huang Xue-qun · · China (Tianjin)
This paper analyzed the development status of Tianjin urban fishery, finding it to be in an early stage. Problems identified included a low level of industrial development, an unscientific development mode, and weak innovation capability. The study proposed development paths and measures for industrial transformation and upgrading.
Economic viabilityEconomicsPolicyCommunityAnalysis Based on Diamond Model of Nanchang Urban Modern Agriculture Competitiveness
2012Wenjuan Hu · Tianjin Agricultural Sciences · China (Nanchang)
This paper analyzed the competitive power of Nanchang urban agriculture using the Diamond model. The analysis considered production factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, business strategies and structure, and horizontal competition. The study presented countermeasures and suggestions, including developing low-carbon agriculture and optimizing organizational forms.
EconomicsPolicyClimate change