Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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9074 results(16 / 363)
Applying recovered nutrients and pruning waste to enrich and regenerate agricultural soils in urban agriculture: Effects on emissions and yield of spinach and sweet potato
2026Guido Evangelista, Juan David Arosemena, Gaia Stringari, Joan Romanyà, Xavier Gabarrell, Francesco Orsini, Gara Villalba · Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · Global
This study evaluated the application of 150 t ha-1 of ramial chipped wood (RCW) to degraded peri-urban agricultural soils, comparing its effects on yield, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions for spinach and sweet potato. Spinach grown with RCW showed the lowest productivity (1.16 – 0.32 kg m-2) among treatments, while sweet potato achieved the highest yield (1.72 – 1.99 kg m-2). High RCW doses initially led to higher CO2 emissions but significantly reduced N2O emissions for spinach (from 0.36 kg ha-1 to 0.07 kg ha-1) and enhanced soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks for sweet potato, indicating agronomic and environmental trade-offs.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleCompostClimate changePeri-urban agricultureDrainage and Pedestrian Access Improvements at City Farms SLO
2026Benjamin Marc Kocher, Jacob Anthony Booker · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)
This senior project planned, designed, and constructed drainage and pedestrian access improvements at City Farms SLO, a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo, California. Prior to construction, the site experienced stormwater pooling and erosion in a central area. The team excavated an 80-foot trench drain, installed a 15-foot corrugated HDPE culvert, built a seven-foot pedestrian bridge, and created a 17-foot gravel pathway. These upgrades effectively mitigated stormwater pooling and erosion while enhancing safe pedestrian access for visitors and program participants.
CommunityFood educationOrganic cycleThe Eco-English Classroom: Using Project-Based Learning in promoting environmental learning initiatives
2026Hazel Acosta Cadungog, Carlos Daniel Cazco Maldonado, Martha Lucía Lara Freire · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Ecuador
This research project aimed to promote meaningful learning in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes by implementing a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, integrating urban agriculture content. The project involved 35 English teachers from four Ecuadorian cities: Azogues, Cuenca, Ibarra, and Riobamba. Data collection on teachers' experiences followed an action-research design. Main findings revealed significant improvement in students' vocabulary development and understanding of basic sentence structures, and teachers noted increased student engagement and interest due to the integration of current and relevant topics.
Food educationCommunityGreen Islands in the City: Allotment Gardens as Urban Biofilters and Cooling Spaces in Warsaw, Poland
2026Marta Melon, Tomasz Dzieduszyński, Piotr Sikorski, Beata Joanna Gawryszewska, Maciej Lasocki, Arkadiusz Przybysz · Sustainability · Poland (Warsaw)
The capacity of Family Allotment Gardens (FAGs) in Warsaw, Poland, to provide air-pollution filtration and microclimate regulation was quantified. Particulate matter, air temperature, and relative humidity were measured inside and outside three allotment complexes in autumn 2023. Results showed a moderate reduction in PM concentrations inside gardens (by about 2 µg/m³) and slightly higher humidity (2.1%). However, the cooling effect was weak (less than 0.3 °C), indicating a limited spatial range under autumn conditions.
Limited or null effectClimate changeCommunityBiodiversityImproving the Knowledge and Skills of Family Welfare Empowerment Members Through Aquaponics Training
2026Yuni Pantiwati, Erna Retno Rahadjeng, Dony Prasetyo, Tasya Novian Indah Sari · Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Malang)
This community service initiative aimed to enhance family productivity by training 15 Family Welfare Empowerment (FWE) members in Jetis Hamlet, Malang, Indonesia, in aquaponic cultivation and harvest processing. Conducted from July to December 2025 with intensive mentoring and a learning-by-doing approach, evaluation using pretest and posttest instruments showed a substantial increase in participant capacity. Average knowledge scores increased from 37 to 82, and technical skills improved from 52 to 81.
Food educationWelfareCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceDigital community supported agriculture? Exploring a cooperative platform model for fair work and governance
2026Anne-Pauline de Cler · Internet Policy Review · Global
This paper explores the implications of a cooperative platform model for digital community supported agriculture (CSA) regarding work, governance, and accessibility within the solidarity economy. It examines what such a model entails as digital platforms increasingly integrate into CSA.
CSA & TeikeiDigital agricultureEconomicsRevisiting the secret garden: (de)territorialising student transience through stories from a university garden
2026Kirsten Lambert, Janene Sproul · International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education · Global
This research explored the experiences of university students participating in a university community garden project during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, using qualitative semi-structured interviews. The study found that the garden became a home for transient and often marginalized students by decentering normative conceptions of university space. It also highlights that community gardens offer divergent spaces for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ students.
CommunityFood educationBiodiversityWelfareAssessing the links between climate change resiliency and food security in northwestern region of Bangladesh
2026Abhi Sarker, Salman Ibn Yasin, Bikash Chandra Ghosh, Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso, Asma Akter, Emmanuel Kiprop, Liu Z, Farjana Eyasmin, Geng Xianhui · Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika) · Bangladesh
This study examined the impact of climate resilience on food security among 498 farming households across 16 villages in extreme climate zones of northwestern Bangladesh. Using a climate resilience index and a binary logistic model, the findings indicate a positive association between climate resilience and food security. Urban households showed greater resilience (38.7% food secure) than rural ones (32.8% food secure).
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePsycho-social factors influencing the intention to adopt urban horticultural practices in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal: evidence from PLS-SEM analysis
2026Bibas Poudel, Ujjal Tiwari, Sushmita Bhatta, Bishal Shrestha, Kalyani Mishra Tripathi · Cogent Food & Agriculture · Nepal
This study investigated psycho-social factors influencing urban residents’ intention to adopt urban horticultural practices in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal. Analysis of data collected from 384 households revealed that a positive attitude toward urban horticulture was the strongest predictor of adoption intention, followed by knowledge and perceived behavioral control. However, environmental consciousness and subjective norms showed a positive but statistically insignificant influence on adoption intention.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceRural–Urban Differences in Odonata Diversity and Population Dynamics across Agricultural Landscapes of the Eastern Gangetic Plains
2026Sneha Kumari Bharati, A. Pattanayak, Sidh Nath Prasad Yadav ‘Deen’ · Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology · Global
This study compared odonate diversity and population dynamics in rural (Manpur) and urban (Gaya city) agricultural landscapes of the Eastern Gangetic Plains from March 2022 to February 2024. The rural landscape supported 24 odonate species, while the urban landscape supported 17, showing only moderate similarity (SSI = 0.571) between the two assemblages. This indicates a lower diversity of odonates in urban agricultural areas compared to rural ones.
Environmental trade-offsBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageFood Sharing in Brno
2026Jennifer Lyons, Anna Davies · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Czech Republic (Brno)
This report documents the sustainability impacts of Food Sharing Initiatives (FSIs) in Brno, Czech Republic, using data from CULTIVATE's automated Food Sharing Map and submitted Sustainability Impact Assessment data. The estimations cover environmental, economic, and social sustainability pillars. The report notes that the presented impact indicators are a subset of total impacts, and estimations will become more accurate with more submitted data.
CommunityFood educationEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceTransforming horticultural productivity with organic manures in geotextile vertical farming
2026ANZUMAN RAHMAN NITU, Sohel Rana Mazumder, Abul Hasnat Muhammad Solaiman · Journal of Bioscience and Environment Research · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
A study conducted from December 2019 to April 2020 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, evaluated organic manure-based substrates in geotextile vertical farming for mint, chili, and Indian spinach. The substrate combining vermicompost, coco fibre, and soil consistently enhanced the growth and yield of all three crops, producing the highest yields per plant compared to other treatments.
Organic cycleCompostClimate changeDigital agricultureJaparé. Il était un jardin…
2026Pascale Darras, Henri Santiago Sanz · VST - Vie sociale et traitements · France (Toulouse)
Since 2014, the "Japaré" shared garden at the Gérard Marchant psychiatric hospital in Toulouse, France, has served as a unique third place. It welcomes a diverse group of volunteers, including patients, professionals, children, and families, offering a space for voluntary market gardening or simply relaxation, without specific programs or obligations.
CommunityHealthWelfareFood educationPhytoremediation potential of selected herbaceous species in vertical gardens for urban air pollution mitigation and integration with the EU Emissions Trading System
2026Agnieszka Klucznik-Tӧrő · Economics and Environment · Europe
This research investigated whether vertical gardens can effectively reduce urban air pollution, using Cracow as an example. Field experimentation, biochemical and laboratory studies, statistical analysis, and quantitative techniques were applied using plant species such as fennel spike, lemon balm, thyme, chives, dill, and common ivy. The analysis proved that a significant level of phytoremediation of air pollutants can be achieved with vertical gardens.
BiodiversityHealthClimate changeSchool garden programs supporting sustainable agricultural intensification through knowledge transfer and family engagement
2026Channaty Ngang, Donchida Wathinputhiporn, Lyda Hok, David R. Ader, Cherdpong Kheerajit · Thai Journal of Agricultural Science · Cambodia
This study investigated the role of school garden programs in facilitating the transfer of Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) knowledge from students to their families, involving 120 families in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews in June 2024 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression models. Results showed that parents' occupation, perceived benefits of SAI, and social influence were significant predictors of their willingness to apply SAI practices at home.
Food educationCommunityDIYEquity-oriented GIS-MCDA mapping of urban rooftops for green roofs and photovoltaic systems: competition and synergies in Padua, Italy
2026Abdullah Ahmadi, Daniele Codato, Francesca Peroni, Massimo De Marchi · Urban Climate · Italy (Padua)
The Rooftops for Equity and Sustainability (RT4ES) model, a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis, was applied to Padua, Italy, to map suitable urban rooftops for green roofs and photovoltaic systems. The model identified 11.67 km² of suitable rooftops across 29,493 buildings, with rooftop greening offering 10.94 km² of additional vegetated surfaces and rooftop PVs potentially generating 302% of municipal household electricity. RT4ES prioritizes underserved neighborhoods by integrating social and environmental vulnerability.
CommunityClimate changeBiodiversityPolicyLow-Cost Automation Framework for Sustainable Hydroponic Farming in Urban Poly Houses
2026Mehul Kumar, Aryan Raj, Sivam Visnu, Nishant Upadhyay · DMPedia Lecture Notes in Multidisciplinary Research · Global
This paper presents an open-source automation framework for urban polyhouse hydroponic farming, costing under $100, featuring multi-parameter sensing and a dual-loop control strategy. Three replicated 42-day trials with Coriandrum sativum using nutrient film technique (NFT) showed a 27.5% ± 3.2% increase in fresh weight and 82% water savings compared to manual control (p < 0.05). Economic analysis indicated a 6.1-month break-even and 96% ROI in the first year.
Digital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeEdible architecture: seasonal green intervention through atmospheric design of tropical growing spaces
2026F. X. Teddy Badai Samodra, Rizky Nathania, Triono Bagus Saputro, Ike Phiri, Seonghwan Yoon · Frontiers in Built Environment · Global
This study proposed the concept of edible architecture, using plants as architectural elements for spatial flexibility, to address reduced green spaces and increased carbon footprints from urbanization. Through literature reviews, secondary data, location analysis, and design exploration with study models, it suggests that a refitable approach to edible landscapes allows modification based on needs and seasons, creating dynamic spaces. Integrating atmospheric design could lead to potential annual energy savings of 67,500 kWh/year in roof-based structures.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageBiodiversityCultivating Sustainability: How Modern Food Practices Shape Pro‐Environmental Motivation Through Food–Nature Associations
2026Shu Tian Ng, Angela K.‐Y. Leung · Sustainable Development · Global
Three studies (N=383, N=591, N=397) investigated how modern food practices influence pro-environmental motivation through the perceived association of food with nature. The research found that growing food had a positive indirect relationship with pro-environmentalism via food-nature association. However, evidence for natural food consumption was weaker, and cooking showed no significant effects on this relationship.
DIYClimate changeFood educationWhat drives participation in urban agriculture? Evidence from Türkiye
2026Coşkun Şerefoğlu, Duhan Kalkan · İDEALKENT · Türkiye
This quantitative study in Türkiye used a structured survey and binary logistic regression to examine factors influencing urban agriculture participation intention. Findings showed prior agricultural experience was the strongest determinant, and COVID-19's impact on food perceptions positively influenced intention. Education level and policy awareness, however, did not significantly explain participation, revealing a gap between awareness and behavioral engagement.
CommunityPolicyHealthPelatihan Urban Farming Sebagai Solusi Ruang Terbuka Hijau di Kampung Nagrek Desa Sampora Tangerang Dengan Support Digital Platform Artemis
2026Riana Magdalena Silitonga, Stefani Prima Dias Kristiana, Ronald Sukwadi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Charitas · Indonesia (Tangerang)
In Nagrek Village, Tangerang, Indonesia, an urban farming program was implemented to address the lack of green open space and engage non-productive housewives. The program, utilizing conventional and hydroponic systems, involved five stages: preparation, outreach, training, mentoring, and evaluation, with results recorded on the Artemis digital platform. The urban farming training led to Nagrek Village appearing more beautiful, and many non-participant residents expressed interest in adopting urban farming in their own homes.
DIYCommunityFood educationDigital agriculture“It’s Only Really When I Put My Hands in the Soil That I Feel at Home”
2026Lucy C. Michaels, María Puig de la Bellacasa · Environmental Humanities · United Kingdom
This article explores how soil care practices in urban gardening contribute to a sense of ecological belonging, focusing on diverse communities of urban growers from uprooted and migrant backgrounds in a city of the British East Midlands. Based on interviews and fieldwork, it shows how material, affective, and ethical relations in soil care may offer a distinct opening to more-than-human relations of belonging to/with land. Growers repair and nourish soil, connect to pasts and futures of urban land, and navigate affective and ethical ambivalences, reconfiguring place, identity, and more-than-human community.
CommunityOrganic cycleHealthDesarrollo de un Brazo Robótico Automatizado: Una Estrategia de Integración Transdisciplinar de los Campos del Conocimiento
2026Juana Yadira Martín Perico, Lady Alexandra Rodríguez Rincón, Daniel Eduardo Ávila Velandia, Nathalia Rincón Ortega · Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar · Global
This project focused on designing a robotic arm for precision agriculture, aiming for young trainees to interact with research processes through prototyping applied to urban agriculture. Using a mixed methodology and educational approach, researchers, professors, and students engaged with processes for natural fertilizer production, soil preparation, biocontrols, and the design and development of technologies useful for urban agriculture. This initiative contributed to didactics related to prototyping, fostered an ethics of care for plants, food, and nature, and helped students recognize agriculture's link to technology and precision agriculture principles.
Digital agricultureFood educationCommunityLand-market drivers of peri-urban land transformation in Mpingu and Malingunde extension planning areas, Lilongwe District, Malawi
2026Jabulani Nyengere, Frank Tchuwa, Harineck Mayamiko Tholo, Allena Laura Njala, Chawanangwa Mwakisalu, Lucius Malalu, Chikondi Chisenga, Patson Nalivata, Weston Mwase, Msaiwale Kathewera, Brenda Matewere, Lackson Jamu, Jones Kanjira, Macdonald Chabwera, D. J. Kachamba, Andrew Jamali, Takudzwa Musekiwa, Clement Nyirenda, Henry Kadzuwa, Precious Masuku, Agnes Mwangwela · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Malawi (Lilongwe)
In Mpingu and Malingunde Extension Planning Areas of Lilongwe District, Malawi, the drivers of peri-urban land transformation were investigated using land use and land cover maps for 2004, 2014, and 2024, alongside household survey data from 279 farming households. Spatial analysis revealed substantial landscape transformation over two decades, with natural woodland declining by approximately 66%, cropland expanding by approximately 459%, and built-up settlement areas increasing by approximately 127%. A multinomial logit model analysis found that land markets, spatial accessibility, and institutional conditions were the primary drivers of land transformation.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageEvaluating a Healthcare Rooftop Garden: Post-Occupancy Insights into Evidence-Based Design Processes and Governance Considerations
2026Nina Oher, Anna Bengtsson, Patrik Grahn · Land · Global
This study aimed to understand the evidence-based design process behind a rooftop garden at an urban Memory Clinic. Through focus group interviews with healthcare professionals and an interview with the landscape architect, findings showed that while the garden exceeded expectations regarding aesthetics, restorative qualities, and staff use, it was not used for patient-oriented therapeutic activities as intended. This divergence was linked to governance issues such as organizational change, loss of key actors, insufficient documentation of design intentions, procurement disruptions, shifting clinical priorities, and maintenance arrangements.
Governance failureHealthCommunityPolicy