Research & reports

Michael Hardman, Andrew Clark, Graeme Sherriff · Agronomy · United Kingdom

Using a qualitative approach across the UK's largest urban farm and a range of other urban agriculture (UA) sites, this study examined the barriers to upscaling city farming. Evidence pointed to urban soil contamination and hesitation about growing crops in cities as a core issue preventing UA from scaling up, alongside public hesitancy and financial barriers, despite the practice's potential social, environmental and economic value through job creation, biodiversity enhancement and shorter food supply chains. The paper concludes that public hesitation, financial barriers and soil quality prevent development, and calls for a more pragmatic approach to these barriers.

Ezgi Duman, Beyza Şat · Journal of Design Studio · Turkey

A case study examining urban agriculture potential in Ataköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul, against the backdrop of Istanbul receiving 42.5% of Turkey's internal migration in 2019 according to TUIK (Turkish Statistical Institute). Using literature review together with feasibility and field studies based on the R-URBAN strategy, the study examines idle industrial areas and vacant lots in Ataköy for urban agriculture potential, and develops a scenario and implementation model for the area.

Isabel Müller, Karina Pallagst, Patricia Hammer · Ra Ximhai · Germany

A case study of Kölner Neuland e.V., an urban gardening project that revitalized part of a 44,000 m² former industrial brownfield in Cologne's Bayenthal district, Germany, framed as a "Green Innovation Area." Based on a literature review and an expert interview, the study examines the project's history, financial aspects, marketing measures, and goals, then assesses its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It reports the project is evaluated "quite positively" overall, while also noting that some aspects show a need for action, and it formulates recommendations in the areas of financing, public perception and management/control for future development of the project and similar brownfield-revitalization efforts.

Emanuele Sommariva, Nicola Canessa, Giorgia Tucci · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Europe

An article links the role of ecosystem services to growing research and development funding attention to green infrastructure and urban greening strategies, positioning ecosystem services as a new parameter for assessing urban green infrastructure and re-naturalization processes that counteract climate-change effects such as flooding and heat islands while promoting conservation, resilience, and biodiversity of natural habitats. It identifies urban agriculture and community gardens as playing an important role in securing socio-ecological benefits at the local level and promoting access to healthy, "Zero Km" food sources. Drawing on the European project Creative Food Cycles, the article outlines ideas for circularity and recycling of waste across the food chain.

Rafael Bláquez Madrid, Ricardo Martín de Almagro, José Mora Jordano, Ángel Lora González, Encarnación Taguas Ruiz · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Spain (Barcelona)

This entry records a paper on territorial stewardship strategies through urban gardens, presenting descriptive indicators meant to extrapolate the experience of IMGEMA (Córdoba's municipal environmental management body) in Córdoba, Spain, published in Cuadernos de Ordenación del Territorio, No. 5, 2022, by authors Rafael Bláquez Madrid, Ricardo Martín de Almagro, José Mora Jordano, Ángel Lora González, and Encarnación Taguas Ruiz. Only this bibliographic information is available; the record contains no description of methods or findings.

Danielle Purkiss, Ayşe Lisa Allison, Fabiana Lorencatto, Susan Michie, Mark Miodownik · Frontiers in Sustainability · United Kingdom

A citizen-science study invited 9,701 UK residents to test how biodegradable and compostable plastics actually degrade in home composting. Many items, including certified products, failed to fully break down; 60% of TUV OK Compost Home-certified items were still clearly visible afterward. The authors conclude home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial disposal method for these materials in the UK.

Isabelle Anguelovski, James J. T. Connolly, Helen Cole, Melissa Garcia-Lamarca, Margarita Triguero-Mas, Francesc Baró, Nicholas Martin, David Conesa, Galia Shokry, Carmen Pérez del Pulgar, Lucia Argüelles Ramos, Austin Matheney, Elsa Gallez, Emilia Oscilowicz, Jésua López Máñez, Blanca Sarzo, Miguel Angel Beltrán, Joaquin Martinez Minaya · Nature Communications · Europe and North America (28 cities)

A 2022 test of the green gentrification hypothesis across 28 cities in 9 countries in North America and Europe, using a spatially weighted Bayesian model, in response to the limited quantitative evidence on the temporal relationship between new greenspaces and gentrification across whole cities. The study found a strong positive and relevant relationship lasting at least a decade between greening in the 1990s–2000s and gentrification occurring between 2000 and 2016 in 17 of the 28 cities — which also means no such relationship was established in the remaining 11, so greening does not invariably produce gentrification. The analysis further determines whether greening played a 'lead', 'integrated' or 'subsidiary' role in explaining gentrification. It supplies cross-city quantitative backing for the argument that new green infrastructure, including greenspace and community gardens, can create social and racial inequalities in access to the benefits of greenspace; the sample is confined to North America and Europe.

Sinesio F., Cammareri M., Cottet V., Fontanet L., Jost M., Moneta E., Palombieri S., Peparaio M., Romero del Castillo R., Saggia Civitelli E., Spigno P., Vitiello A., Navez B., Casals J., Causse M., Granell A., Grandillo S. · Foods 10(11):2521 · Europe

Assessed traditional and modern tomato varieties in France, Spain, and Italy at physicochemical, trained-panel, and consumer levels. Multi-level approach revealed how sensory traits drive perceived quality across regionally familiar cultivars.

Ferrer Valverde M.A., Sánchez-Palomo E., Osorio Alises M., Chaya Romero C., González-Viñas M.A. · Foods 10(8):1683 · Spain

Characterized the traditional Trujillo melon from La Mancha, Spain, over three harvests, identifying 55 volatile compounds. Sensory profile featured jam, cucumber, sweet, and honey aromas, documenting quality of a regional heirloom melon.

Ludwig B. · Sustainability (MDPI) · Germany

Analyzes the significance of green-space design in early modernist housing estates (1919–1927) in then-German Lower Silesia, addressing urban layout, public/private greenery systems including gardens, and protection of valued trees from natural, landscape, and social perspectives.

Störtkuhl B. · Architectus, No. 3(67), pp. 25–37 · Germany

Studies how the self-build Reichsheimstätten, originating as a late-Weimar crisis measure, became central to Nazi housing policy aimed at 're-rooting' the population in German soil, using Breslau as a case study.

Molenveld A., Voorberg W., Van Buuren A., Hagen L. · Public Management Review · Netherlands

Fuzzy-set QCA of 14 Dutch urban gardens with partnerships among citizens, public authorities, and private actors, identifying financial independence, institutionalization, and a small core volunteer group as key to garden durability.

· Sustainability Science · Germany (Munich)

A Munich case study exploring how urban vegetable gardening fosters an embodied human–food connection and pro-environmental behaviour.

Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz, Malwina Michalik-Śnieżek, Alicja Bieske-Matejak · Sustainability · Poland

This study analyzed the potential of allotment gardens (AGs) in Poland to be considered nature-based solutions (NBS), examining their use of green/blue infrastructure, problem-solving capabilities, benefits, and economic efficiency. The study identified institutional barriers, irregular distribution of benefits, and deficiencies in economic efficiency as significant obstacles. It concluded that AGs, while a type of unsophisticated NBS, have limited effectiveness.

Dominika Dymek, Agnieszka Wilkaniec, Leszek Bednorz, Magdalena Szczepańska · Sustainability · Poland

This study in Poznań, Poland, examined the significance of allotment gardens in the urban green space system and developed a classification method for urban planning. While over 30% of allotment gardens were found to be of high significance, urban planning documentation indicates plans to reduce their area. Even highly significant gardens are slated for liquidation, highlighting a conflict between their ecological value and current urban development plans.

Barbara Maćkiewicz, Raúl Puente Asuero · Urban forestry & urban greening · Spain (Seville)

This paper compares public and private urban allotment gardens (AGs) in Seville, Spain, as nature-based solutions (NBS). Both types of AGs are found to have positive impacts on user health and well-being and complement each other. The choice between public and private AGs is primarily linked to freedom of cultivation and access, rather than economic factors. The study concludes that both public and private AGs require integrated territorial, legal, and institutional frameworks within urban policies.

Ambrogio Zanzi, Valentina Vaglia, Roberto Spigarolo, Stefano Bocchi · Land · Italy (Milan)

This study assessed the sustainability of eight agri-food start-ups in a peri-urban area of Milan, Italy, using the FAO's Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (SAFA) framework. The application of SAFA indicators revealed positive aspects but also some limitations typical of unstructured enterprises.

Marco Medici, Maurizio Canavari, Alessandra Castellini · Journal of Cleaner Production · Italy

This study investigated the status and evolution of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Italy, examining its social, environmental, and economic benefits. Using CSA data, participant observation, thematic network analysis, and interviews with CSA representatives, it found that Italian CSA generally meets sustainability goals, though with varying levels of member involvement, economic viability, and environmental impact across communities. The lack of policy support is hindering further CSA diffusion and consolidation.

ELISABETH MEYER-RENSCHHAUSEN · Materia Arquitectura · Germany (Berlin)

This paper discusses the historical presence of gardens and urban agriculture in cities, from ancient civilizations to modern times. It notes that after disappearing in the late 19th century, family gardens were replaced by garden city movements, and after WWII, land was offered for cultivation. The paper suggests that the growing demand for garden plots in the 20th and 21st centuries and the global community gardening movement represent a new type of urban agriculture.

Hester Buck · Question Journal · United Kingdom (London)

This paper explores how different understandings of "community" converged during the participatory design of a moss wall at the R-urban community garden in London. The project addressed poor air quality, bringing together residents, activists, academics, and volunteers who formed a community of inquiry through meetings and workshops. The paper reflects on the successes and failures of engagement strategies, including challenges like apathy and misunderstanding.

Ivanka Puigdueta, Eduardo Aguilera, José Luis Cruz, Ana Iglesias, Alberto Sanz-Cobeña · Global Food Security · Spain (Madrid)

A study in Madrid, Spain, used a five-year online survey to assess how urban gardening activities impact food consumption and carbon footprint. Findings indicated a potential reduction of up to 205.1 kg CO2e/year per person, or 12.1%, primarily through decreased consumption of animal source foods. This suggests urban gardens may foster pro-environmental behavior and greenhouse gas mitigation.

Karen McKenzie, Ryan Diston, Kara Murray · Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University) · United Kingdom

A study evaluated a multifaceted activity, a visit to an inner-city farm, to measure which elements were the best predictors of psychological wellbeing. It found that, regardless of the specific activities engaged in, visiting the farm, on average, increased positive mood and reduced negative mood. The main contributing factor to this improvement was social interaction.

Marian Simón Rojo · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Spain (Madrid)

This study investigated how urban planning can support agroecological and right-to-food movements to create resilient urban food systems, addressing food insecurity. A case study in Madrid, Spain, found that over 14% of the population was food insecure, despite the presence of more than 400 free food distribution nodes. The analysis covered various programs and urban food initiatives, suggesting that urban planning provides tools to apply community-supported agroecological food system qualities to define context-adapted strategies, thereby reducing reliance on the industrial food sector.

Chris Blythe, Ian Egginton-Metters, Michael Hardman, Victoria Schoen · · United Kingdom

The School Farms Network in the UK has a large membership base, coinciding with renewed interest in urban agriculture and school farming. Based on contributions from grassroots practitioners and network coordinators, case studies illustrate the breadth of the school farms concept and the value practitioners find in being part of such a network. This study examines the future role of school farming networks and how the practice can be sustained or expanded.

Zerrin Mercan, Büşra BİLİR, Nilüfer Darıca · Cukurova University Faculty of Education Journal · Turkey

This qualitative study examined the gardens of 27 preschool education institutions in Gaziantep province as physical learning environments. Findings showed that while physical and social areas existed in school gardens, they required qualitative support. Silent areas were very limited and located within vocal areas, and creative and sensory areas were not present in the school gardens.