Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(159 / 363)
Characteristics of policies based on Basic Law for Urban Agricultural Promotion formulated by local governments located in urbanization promotion area of Tokyo
2021Izumi ARAKAWA, Noriko Akita · Journal of The Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture · Japan (Tokyo)
This study identified the characteristics of local plan policies based on the Basic Law for Urban Agricultural Promotion, formulated by local governments. The survey covered 310 local governments in 11 prefectures across three major Metropolitan areas. Tokyo had a large number of local governments formulating local plans and implementing various policies, with differences observed between cities and wards. "Branding of agricultural products" was one policy independently formulated, while "Promotion of agricultural cooperation between rural and urban areas" was not adopted by any local government.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsDifferential yield and nutrients of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. genotypes when grown in urban production systems
2021Matthew L. Richardson, Caitlin G. Arlotta · Scientia Horticulturae · United States (Washington, DC)
This study grew seven genotypes of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in green roof, field row, and high tunnel systems in and near Washington, DC, to compare leaf and flower yield, nutritional differences, and insect pest susceptibility. Genotype PI 286316 produced abundant flowers, particularly in high tunnels, while leaf production was highest in field rows despite frequent Popillia japonica attacks. PI 273388, PI 275414, and green hibiscus yielded the most leaves, and genotypes showed nutrient differences regardless of the production system. The locally adapted green hibiscus performed well across systems, was least attacked by pests, and had higher nutrient levels, demonstrating H. sabdariffa's suitability for temperate urban systems.
BiodiversityHealthClimate changePeri-urban agricultureConstructing Organic Food through Urban Agriculture, Community Gardens in Seville
2021Mario Jordi Sánchez, Antonio Luis Díaz Aguilar · Sustainability · Spain (Seville)
Through observation and qualitative analysis of community urban gardens in southern Spain (Andalusia), this paper notes that the people who cultivate allotments within these community gardens attribute a wide variety of different meanings to their practices. This plurality of meanings moves beyond the rational-technical dimension of the act of growing, while at the same time redefining the act of consuming organic food, because of its connection with productive and social activities.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthLegal Instruments to Support Local Food Systems in United States Law
2021Anna Kapała · Comparative Law Review · United States
This study analyzed federal, state, and local regulations in US law to identify instruments supporting local food systems (LFS), including food safety, zoning, tax law, and federal programs. It found that US law lacks a systematic approach to LFS support, but identified legislative tools such as food safety exemptions, sales tax exemptions, local zoning laws for urban agriculture, and federal grant programs.
PolicyCSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceIncome from Urban Farming Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) in Benpasi Village, Kefamenanu City District
2021Umbu Joka, Aprianus Nelson Bana · Agribusiness Journal · Indonesia (Kefamenanu City District)
This survey study, conducted in June 2020 with 20 farmers from the Nekaf Mese farmer group in Benpasi Village, Indonesia, aimed to determine the income and relative advantages of urban bean farming. Farmers cultivated 6-9 acres, generating an average revenue of Rp. 1,827,500 and an average income of Rp. 796,050 per planting season. The average relative profit was 1.74, indicating economic profitability.
EconomicsCommunityPeri-urban agricultureRancang Bangun Robot Smart Farming Berbasis Computer Numerical Control (Sensor dan Monitoring)
2021Ilham Eka Putra, Wiwin Styorini · ABEC Indonesia · Global
This research developed a Smart Farming Robot (SF-BOT) for urban agriculture, designed for automated watering, seed planting, and plant monitoring using IoT applications. SF-BOT utilizes soil moisture sensors with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, offering real-time monitoring and video streaming via a web server interface. The DHT sensor achieved 98.69% accuracy, and the magnetic sensor achieved 100% accuracy.
Digital agricultureDIYCommunityConclusion
2021Christina Ergas · · Global
This concluding chapter summarizes lessons from urban agriculture and ecovillages, defining radical sustainability as socially and ecologically transformative and regenerative. It identifies tools for radical sustainability, including community care and skill sharing. The chapter offers practical, community-oriented solutions for socioecological crises, particularly for those unable to implement urban farming, and discusses the potential for large-scale structural change or collapse.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyPotential of urban green spaces for supporting horticultural production: a national scale analysis
2021Lael Walsh, Bethan R. Mead, Charlotte A. Hardman, Daniel Evans, Lingxuan Liu, Natalia Falagán, Sofia Kourmpetli, Jessica Davies · Environmental Research Letters · United Kingdom
This study provides a national-scale analysis of the horticultural production potential of urban green spaces in Great Britain (GB). It identifies urban green spaces available for horticultural production and quantifies potential yields based on three production options. Urban green spaces in GB, at their upper limit, have the capacity to support production 8 times greater than current domestic fruit and vegetable production, or 38% of current domestic production and imports combined. Most urban green spaces consist of private residential gardens and amenity spaces, and all examined towns and cities were found to have substantial potential to meet the dietary needs of the local urban population.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageClimate changeŠolski vrtovi v Pomurski regiji
2021Jana Ambrožič‐Dolinšek, Dane Katalinič, Patricija Utroša · Revija za elementarno izobraževanje · Europe
This study examined school gardens in the Pomurje region of Slovenia, finding that half (19 out of 38) of primary schools have them. The establishment of these gardens relies on the goodwill of school management and the voluntary interest of teachers. The research suggests that including school gardening in science curricula is necessary, as garden-related activities contribute to the region's agricultural development.
Food educationCommunityCreating Learning Environments to Support Students Experiencing Stress: Qualitative Insights from an Extension-Community Partnership
2021Chelsea Hetherington, Sarah Cronin, Sara Langworthy, Cari Michaels · Journal of Human Sciences and Extension · United States
This study describes an Extension-Community partnership that designed learning environments to support elementary students experiencing chronic stress in the United States. The intervention included creating a calming room, building a community garden on school grounds, and providing educational programming for teachers, staff, and families. Interviews with 20 teachers and school staff revealed the program's success in supporting positive outcomes for students, staff, the school, and the surrounding community.
CommunityFood educationHealthSustainability and education through social networks. Presence and visibility of the school garden on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
2021Juan-Francisco Álvarez-Herrero, María Encarnación Urrea Solano, Rosabel Martínez-Roig · IJERI International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation · Spain
This study examined the presence and visibility of school gardens on social media in Spain by analyzing the last 100 posts with #huertoescolar on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Educational centers primarily documented school garden activities on Twitter, followed by Facebook and Instagram. School gardens were mainly used for practical application of academic content and fostering environmental awareness, but greater integration with Sustainable Development Goals is still needed.
Food educationCommunityDigital agricultureSustainable Urban Agriculture as Functional Hybrid Unit—Issues of Urban Resilience
2021Magdalena Grochulska-Salak, Aleksandra Nowysz, Anna Tofiluk · Buildings · Global
This research reviews urban agriculture as green and blue infrastructure solutions, evaluating modern hybrid units that combine biomass and food production with water retention in urban areas. It defines criteria and typology for urban resilience solutions, analyzing the correlation between water production, management, retention, and reuse within sustainable urban agriculture systems in compact cities. The study describes a typology for cultivation and production in modern cities, contributing to discussions on synergy in urban planning, architecture, and engineering for city resilience.
Climate changeOrganic cyclePolicyExperiencias relevantes de agricultura urbana y periurbana en Colombia
2021Ramón Antonio Mosquera Mena, Yolvi Prada Millán · Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia eBooks · Colombia
Urban and peri-urban agriculture in Colombia offers benefits such as alleviating food insecurity and creating jobs, but currently lacks government policies to support these processes. This paper contextualizes relevant experiences and technical tools for implementing agroecological orchards, emphasizing environmental and social sensitivity. It also notes that agricultural research in Colombia is still emerging, requiring more applied research for technological development to benefit communities and farmers.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityProductive urban landscape: Exploring urban agriculture multi-functionality practices to approach genuine quality of life in gated communities in Greater Cairo Region
2021Doaa K. Hassan, Mohammed Hewidy, Mohamed A. El Fayoumi · Ain Shams Engineering Journal · Egypt (Greater Cairo Region)
This study explored the correlation between quality of life (QOL), urban agriculture, and landscape architecture practices in gated communities in the Greater Cairo Region, Egypt. It utilized theoretical correlation, two questionnaire models targeting residents and practitioners, field visits, and observation. The study concluded with recommendations to enhance QOL domains through productive urban landscapes.
CommunityHealthEconomicsThe Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Security in Rural and Urban Settlements in Benin: Do Allotment Gardens Soften the Blow?
2021Mawuna Donald Houessou, Annemijn Cassee, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld · Sustainability · Benin
A Rapid Food Security Appraisal was conducted among 240 rural and urban dwellers in southern Benin to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 ‘cordon sanitaire’ on food consumption. The pandemic affected food security pillars in both rural and urban areas, with the steepest decline observed among those inside the cordon sanitaire, particularly rural producers and urban inhabitants without allotment gardens. Increased food prices, logistics disruptions, and movement restrictions were cited as reasons, while access to allotment gardens effectively mitigated the crisis for households.
CommunityHealthWelfareSAVINGS MOBILIZATION ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG PERI-URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN KWALI AND BWARI AREA COUNCILS F.C.T ABUJA, NIGERIA
2021Juliana Ojochide Olori, Ogechi Cordelia Nwahia, F. Siewe · Agricultural Social Economic Journal · Nigeria (Abuja)
A study analyzed savings mobilization for poverty alleviation among 185 peri-urban farming households in Kwali and Bwari Area Councils, Abuja, Nigeria, using cross-sectional primary data. The analysis revealed a poverty incidence of 49%, a poverty depth of 28%, and a poverty severity of 56% among the households. Findings indicated that primary occupation and education reduced the likelihood of not being poor but increased the likelihood of being very poor.
Economic viabilityWelfareEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureFrom urban waste to urban farmers: Can we close the agriculture loop within the city bounds?
2021Rafael Carvalho Machado, Sieglinde Kindl Da Cunha · Waste Management & Research The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy · Brazil (Curitiba)
This study investigated Curitiba, Brazil's Urban Agriculture Program (UAP) and its decentralized composting strategy, which aimed to close the agricultural loop within city bounds. Despite training 24 urban farmer communities in composting techniques, the program was unable to achieve this goal. The research, based on secondary data review, interviews, and participatory observation, identified cultural barriers and conflicts among actor roles within the UAP that hindered the adoption of composting practices.
Governance failureCompostCommunityOrganic cyclePolicyFrom the researched to co-researchers: including excluded participants in community-led research on urban agriculture in Cape Town
2021Nicole Paganini, Silke Stöber · The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension · South Africa (Cape Town)
This long-term study in Cape Town, South Africa, developed and employed a co-research approach with urban farmers, using mixed methods including focus groups, farming diaries, and surveys. Participants perceived the research process itself as more important than the results, as they developed agency for change. The mutually developed results were used by co-researchers to establish a representative body advocating for small-scale farmers' needs.
CommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationEDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NA ESCOLA BÁSICA
2021Renata Michelli Ferretti, Reis Friede, Maria Geralda de Miranda · Revista da Seção Judiciária do Rio de Janeiro · Global
This study, part of the AMBENAP project, discusses environmental education implemented through school gardens in basic education schools. Using problematization theory, the research concluded that school gardens enable students to learn practical environmental care and influence their actions.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityIMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KAMPUNG IKLIM: URBAN FARMING MELALUI HIDROPONIK DAN BUDIKDAMBER DI KELURAHAN SIALANG PALEMBANG
2021Trecy Austin, Marleni Marleni · Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia · Indonesia (Palembang)
This community empowerment activity in Sialang Village, Palembang City, Indonesia, involved training and direct practical assistance to implement urban farming, specifically hydroponics and BUDIKDAMBER (fish and vegetable cultivation in buckets). The program aimed to enhance food security and support the Climate Village Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from RT 19 and RT 65 RW 13 gained understanding of urban farming methods and their health and economic benefits, showing readiness to adopt these practices in their households.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealthHousehold and Community Gardens Surge in the Philippines and Senegal during COVID-19
2021Halie Kampman, Shun-Nan Chiang, Salam Sawadogo · Gastronomica The Journal of Food and Culture · Philippines; Senegal
This study compares the surge in household and community gardening in the Philippines and Senegal during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on urban and peri-urban areas. It analyzes how government policies and community responses shaped this increased interest, noting that Philippine policy promotes citizen food growing for national self-sufficiency, while Senegalese policy favors large-scale, commercially oriented modernization. The research highlights contrasting visions for future food systems in these two Global South countries.
CommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEnergy justice, renewable energy, and the rural-urban divide: Insights from the Southwest U.S.
2021Stephanie Buechler, Karina Guadalupe Martínez-Molina · Energy and Climate Change · United States
This study compared rural and urban populations living near or receiving energy from a large-scale solar-wind energy park in Arizona, Southwest U.S., using an energy justice framework. Small-scale renewable energy projects better served low-income groups, with more governmental and non-profit organization support for these projects in urban areas. Adverse effects of large-scale projects on communities and wildlife were not being addressed via benefits or profit sharing.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeLocal food development in the Moose Cree First Nation: taking steps to build local food sustainability
2021Celeste Ferreira, Janice Cindy Gaudet, Anthony Chum, Michael A. Robidoux · Food Culture & Society · Canada
This paper explores local food initiatives in Moose Cree First Nation, a remote northern community in Ontario, Canada, focusing on a community garden project. It documents steps taken to build local food capacity and understand the challenges and opportunities the community faces in regaining autonomy over its food system. The findings are based on community-based participatory action approaches.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthUrban–rural linkageGirls’ boarding schools’ gardens in the Age of Enlightenment
2021Varvara V. Ponomareva · Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta Seria XXIII Antropologia) · Russia
This study, using a historical typological method, examined the gardens of girls' boarding schools within the Mariinsky Establishment in 18th-century Russia as a vehicle for children's healthy physical upbringing. Influenced by scholars like John Locke, innovative physical education principles, supported by the Russian state, were integrated into the daily life of boarding schools. By the end of the 19th century, doctors oversaw school outdoor spaces, noting the positive effects of fresh air exercise and swimming on children.
Food educationHealthCommunity[Implementasi Urban Farming Berdasarkan Perspektif Political Ecology] : Review
2021Margareth Margareth, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Martha Fani Cahyandito, Kinanti Indah Safitri · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Pertanian UNS · Indonesia (Bandung)
This qualitative study examines the implementation of urban farming in Bandung City, Indonesia, from a political ecology perspective, focusing on market, service, and institutional interactions, and product marketing chains. The research identifies policy failures, where city government agricultural policies were insufficient to meet residents' food needs, necessitating top-down urban farming innovations. It also notes market failures due to public dissatisfaction with available products, driving bottom-up urban farming initiatives by independent organizations. Funding sources and operational cost efficiency strategies differ between government-led and independent urban farming efforts.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justice