Research & reports

Noryana Ahmad Khusaini, Munifah Siti Amira Yusuf · Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository (Universiti Putra Malaysia) · Global

This review examines the significance of digital record-keeping in urban agriculture, focusing on its impact on efficiency, productivity, market access, economic benefits, sustainability, and environmental benefits. The review identifies challenges such as a lack of digital skills, high implementation costs, inadequate technological infrastructure, limited connectivity, data privacy, and security. These challenges hinder the adoption of digitalization in urban agriculture.

R Mohammadzadeh · Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction · Global

This qualitative secondary study, based on a structured literature review, examined the role of green infrastructure (GI) integrated into buildings for urban sustainability. Findings indicate that GI supports climate change adaptation, improves air quality, promotes urban biodiversity, and enables energy-efficient design. However, the paper also recognizes limitations related to cost, maintenance, and structural requirements for implementing building-based GI.

Matt Boyd, Nick Wilson · PLoS ONE · Global

This study estimates the contribution of urban and near-urban agriculture to resilience against abrupt global catastrophic risks (GCRs) in a globally median-sized city. Using mathematical optimization and Google Earth image analysis, researchers determined optimal crops and land area for food production. Findings indicate that urban agriculture could feed 20% of the population, with an additional 1140 hectares of near-urban cultivation and 110 hectares for biofuel feedstock needed to cover the shortfall, though more land is required in nuclear winter scenarios.

M. L. Wahlqvist · Food and nutrition · Global

This chapter defines food systems and their evolution, noting that current systems contribute significantly to environmental degradation. It highlights the urgent need for transformation due to increasing global food demand, environmental issues, political instability, and climate change. The chapter discusses alternative food systems, including urban agriculture, that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and social justice to address challenges in industrialized food production and ensure access to nutritious food.

Natalia Urrego Díaz, Astrid Ley, Kurt Ackermann, Leonie K. Fischer · · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study focuses on the Langa Agri-Food Hub in Cape Town, South Africa. The Hub is an innovation-seeking project aimed at transforming the local food system from the bottom up, supporting farmers, and strengthening the community. Through a literature review and qualitative analysis, including site observations, interviews, and workshops, the study uncovered the Hub's potential to serve as a vital platform for individual empowerment and the strengthening of the local food system.

Yosra Abduljalel Alajeli, Gunavathy Selvarajh · Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies · Global

This qualitative desk research investigated urban farming's economic, environmental, and societal impacts on sustainable economic development. Findings indicate urban farming enhances local economies, provides fresh produce, strengthens community engagement, and promotes green infrastructure. However, its broader adoption is hindered by limited land access, inadequate legislative support, and low public awareness.

Mümüne Selen Abbasoğlu, İbrahim Kahramanoğlu · HortScience · Global

This study explored the role of minor Mediterranean fruit trees in sustainable residential landscapes by examining their presence, selection criteria, and long-term trends in home gardens. Data from structured surveys of 400 homeowners revealed olive (60.3%) and pomegranate (50.0%) as the most prevalent species. Older gardens (40+ years) exhibited greater biodiversity, while newer gardens prioritized easier-to-maintain and aesthetically appealing species. Overall, the study indicated a gradual shift from traditional Mediterranean fruit trees to monotonous, low-maintenance gardens.

Nana Kariada Tri Martuti, Muh Sholeh, Rossi Prabowo, Inaya Sari Melati · ABDIMAS UNWAHAS · Indonesia (Semarang)

In Tambakrejo Village, Semarang City, Indonesia, a challenge exists due to the low human resource capacity in managing integrated urban farming. This program aims to enhance partners' capacity to develop an integrated farming system combining urban farming and aquaculture. As a result of the activities, the Tambakrejo farmer group received facilities such as rainwater harvesting installations, vertical gardens, various vegetable seeds, and compost, along with training on strengthening farmer group institutions and technological innovation in vegetable and fish cultivation through aquaponics.

Md. Ashikuzzaman, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, Atiq Zaman · Cities · Global

This systematic literature review analyzed 75 published materials using PRISMA methodology to characterize the governance process for urban rooftop farming (URF) in megacities. The study found that a structured governance framework for URF is scarce, but existing literature helps define potential policy instruments and strategies for integration with city governance. A two-tier governance framework is proposed, requiring attention from local government and stakeholders.

Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri, Claudia P. Romero-Hernández, Sergio Salazar-Galán, María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero · Sustainability · Spain (Valencia)

This article analyzes the impact of urban sprawl on the Valencia Plain aquifer system from 1990 to 2018 using the Weighted Environmental Index (WEI). Results show urban surfaces expanded by 70% and rainfed agricultural areas declined by over 59%, leading to a 9.2% reduction in environmental value (WEI decreased from 44.80 to 40.68). These changes threaten ecosystem sustainability and reduce the capacity to deliver ecosystem services.

Yuanchao Hu, Prajal Pradhan, Haoran Zhang, Zhen Wang, Qianyuan Huang, Qiqi Jia, Xihong Lian, Chao Xu, Rui Yang, Yuxi Tian, Zhibang Xu, Limin Jiao, Jürgen P. Kropp · Resources Environment and Sustainability · China

This study constructed a new dataset of urban productive spaces for 124 large Chinese cities to assess the potential of urban agriculture. It found that approximately 30% of urban vegetable demand could be met by utilizing spaces such as rooftops and open areas. However, urban agriculture showed little potential for greenhouse gas emission mitigation, with an average intensity (0.30 kgCO2e/kg) similar to traditional agriculture (0.31 kgCO2e/kg).

Yasin Mohamed Ibrahim · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Somalia (Mogadishu)

A study in Mogadishu, Somalia, used snowball sampling to assess constraints and opportunities for urban horticulture. It found that temperature, wind, pests, diseases, and limited irrigation water significantly restrict production, particularly for open-field farmers who face high irrigation demands, pest infestations, and low-quality yields unattractive to buyers. While greenhouses offer some protection, plastic greenhouses specifically suffer from inadequate gutter height and poor ventilation, requiring farmers to use primitive methods to combat extreme temperatures.

Beyza Aleyna Bayram, Selin ARABULAN · Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute · Turkey (Edirne)

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the urban agriculture potential in Edirne, Turkey, based on the hypothesis of transforming passive areas into urban agricultural areas. It conducted a literature review, reported on climate, topography, vegetation cover, and land use conditions, and used SWOT analysis to evaluate potential in technological, economic, demographic, sociological, and ecological contexts. The study determined that urban agriculture practices in Edirne, where the existing structure is quite favorable, can be evaluated as a strategic development tool with proper planning and management.

Adi Mahmud Jaya Marindra, Dwi Surya Santaki, Deny Kurniawan, Ferdian Ilham Maulana, Raihan Adji Widjaksana, Muhammad Irham Amzari, Pandu Jati Bayu Saputra, Chenny Azalia Eka Putri Minggus, Rafi Fauzan · Jurdimas (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) Royal · Indonesia (Balikpapan)

This project addressed power outages affecting hydroponic gardens of the Women Farmers Group (KWT) Sepinggan Raya in Balikpapan, Indonesia, by implementing a solar-powered water pump and a water quality monitoring system. The program included a survey, system installation, and training. Results indicate that the system improves hydroponic productivity and reduces operational costs previously dependent on the national electricity grid, also empowering the local women's group with renewable energy knowledge.

Zih‐Ee Lin, Yin-Chi Lin, Mengshan Lee, Pei-Te Chiueh, Chun-Wei Wu, Yu-Sen Chang · Sustainable Environment Research · Taiwan (Taipei)

This 2025 study proposed an integrated framework for urban agriculture planning, incorporating land use classification, design scenarios, and quantitative environmental impact assessment. Applied to Taipei, Taiwan, the framework identified 9.4% of the city's area as potential urban agriculture sites, with half being small ground plots. The analysis of 16 scenarios revealed trade-offs, such as food crops enhancing supply versus ornamental plants mitigating the urban heat island effect.

Ágnes Gagyi · Local Environment · Europe

This paper investigated urban gardening in an East European capital, focusing on institutional resources. The study found a clear relationship between a shortfall of institutional resources and the limited, conflictual promotion of urban gardens as sustainability tools. It argues that gardens' contradictions stem from the privatization of public functions, which has depleted institutions capable of implementing gardens as sustainability tools, instead outsourcing costs to garden communities.

Ivanjack, Katherine Rose, Preciado, Kylie J · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)

This senior capstone project aims to explore the potential of urban agriculture to address critical challenges in sustainability, food security, and community development within California cities. The project highlights practical and innovative approaches to urban farming that can be adopted or adapted to suit the unique needs of urban areas across the state.

Nakata Taichi, Naoyuki Nakahama, Nobuko Ohmido, Atushi Ushimaru · Journal of Ecology · Japan (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe)

This study investigated the effects of urban habitat diversity on plant trait diversification in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe megacity, Japan, using a common garden experiment with seeds from 23 Commelina communis populations from rural agricultural lands, urban agricultural lands, parks, and roadsides. Urban habitats generally exhibited higher soil pH and land surface temperature. Urban populations, particularly those from roadsides, showed distinct traits such as increased plant height, larger plant height/width ratio, fewer shoots and leaves, and/or larger leaves compared to rural populations. QST-FST comparisons and trait-environment relationships strongly suggest that local adaptation to hot, shaded, and/or eutrophic urban environments drove the observed trait divergence among various urban populations.

Azka Madihah, Aliifah Ghassanii · Atlantis highlights in social sciences, education and humanities/Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities · Asia

This study examined eco-urban diplomacy through urban farming and environmental horticulture in Jakarta-Tokyo and Surabaya-Kitakyushu sister-city partnerships. Jakarta-Tokyo collaboration promoted participatory urban farming and rooftop greening, raising Tokyo's vegetable self-sufficiency from 4.27% to a potential 11.73%. Surabaya-Kitakyushu cooperation achieved a threefold mangrove expansion and 20% waste reduction, but financial constraints, communication gaps, and land insecurity persist, risking exclusion of marginalized groups.

Aprilia Shyntia Dewi, Muchlisiniyati Safeyah · Sinektika Jurnal Arsitektur · United States

This qualitative descriptive study analyzed the application of permaculture design principles through architectural elements at Vertical Harvest Farms, USA, using secondary data. The research found that Vertical Harvest Farms largely incorporates permaculture design principles through architectural elements, such as greenhouse-based materials adapted to local climate and optimal spatial arrangement. However, regarding mass typology, the farm was found to be less compliant with the permaculture design principle of "Design from Pattern to Detail."

F. Xavier Medina, José Antonio Vázquez–Medina, Marco Covarrubias · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Mexico (Mexico City)

This chapter discusses the factors linking food production, social and environmental problems, and future challenges in the chinampas of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage wetland area in Mexico City's peri-urban zone. It examines strategies implemented by stakeholders and their effects to envision future scenarios for sustainable food systems. The insularity of the chinampas imposes a particular character on agri-food production and the life of inhabitants, highlighting existing social and environmental problems.

Edwin Villagrán, John Javier Espitia, Jader Rodríguez, Linda Gomez, Gina Marcela Amado Saavedra, E.J. Baeza, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Jorge Flores-Velázquez, Mohammad Akrami, Rodrigo Gil, Luis Alejandro Arias · Sustainability · Global

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of artificial lighting technologies in greenhouses and protected agriculture, examining scientific publications from the Scopus database between 1974 and 2024. It found a significant increase in research over the last two decades, with the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and China leading in scientific output. Key trends include the use of specific light spectra (red and blue) and the integration of LED systems with digital sensors, though adoption in developing countries like Colombia remains in early stages.

Faran Muhammad, Muneeba, Muhammad Bilal · Gomal Journal of Agriculture and Biology · Global

This paper explored hybrid approaches to urban agriculture combining vertical farming and rooftop gardening. Experimental pilot hybrid systems installed in certain metropolitan regions showed significant improvements in yield per unit area, water-use efficiency, and energy-use efficiency compared to normal rooftop gardens. Qualitative assessments highlighted positive community-level outcomes, including greater dietary diversity, better comprehension of sustainable food habits, and a rise in wellness and health perception.

Johnny Jean, Nildo da Silva Dias, Nildo da Silva Dias, Alison Rocha de Aragão, A. JEAN, Patrícia Lígia Dantas de Morais, Rogério Taygra Vasconcelos Fernandes, Leonardo Angelo Mendonça, Vânia Christina Nascimento Porto, Khadidja Dantas Rocha de Lima · OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA · Brazil (Mossoró)

This study aimed to identify and georeference suitable spaces for urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in three neighborhoods of Mossoró, Brazil: Nova Betânia, Sussuarana, and Vingt Rosado. The research found that out of 1,300 hectares in these neighborhoods, 944.1 hectares are suitable for UPA. However, the study identified a lack of public policies to incentivize UPA in these areas.

Adriano N. Roberto, Andrés G. Rolhauser, J. Scott MacIvor, Marney E. Isaac · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Canada (Toronto)

This study investigated plant facilitation in rooftop agriculture in Toronto, Canada, testing whether live Sedum could improve bush bean performance on 48 extensive green roof (EGR) modules under high and low watering regimes. Water availability had a greater influence on bean performance than planting design, with beans grown with artificial Sedum under high watering showing the highest yield, while performance declined significantly under low water, particularly with live Sedum. Contrary to hypotheses, live Sedum did not consistently facilitate bean performance, suggesting potential competitive interactions may have outweighed any stress-ameliorating effects. These findings indicate water management is the main management variable for crops on EGRs.