Research & reports

Rosli Muhammad NAIM, Maisarah Abdul MUTALIB, Aida Soraya SHAMSUDDIN, Mohd Nizam LANI, Indang Ariati ARIFFIN, Shirley Gee Hoon TANG · Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering · Global

A review article on sustainable agriculture and food systems characterizes sustainable agriculture as farming practices that meet immediate needs while preserving future generations' capacity to meet theirs, with sustained productivity, pollution reduction, and economic viability as primary aims. Drawing on existing research, it reports benefits including climate resilience, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, improved soil fertility, and stronger rural livelihoods, alongside challenges such as substantial transition costs, conflicting policy objectives, and the persistence of conventional methods. The review identifies strategies including agroforestry, agroecology, urban agriculture, farmer knowledge exchange, ecosystem-service payments, and shorter supply chains as ways to accelerate progress, contingent on appropriate policy and incentive support.

Pei-Yuan Chen, Chuan-Ching Pang, Guan-Yi Sung · Heliyon · Global

This study analyzes how evapotranspiration and substrate moisture variations affect indoor temperature reduction from a green roof, developing two multiple linear regression models: an operation-stage model based on field observations and an integrated planning-stage model combining hydrological and building energy simulations. The operation model achieved RMSE 0.64C and adjusted R2 0.55, the planning model RMSE 1.02C and adjusted R2 0.80, with maximum summer indoor temperature reduction reaching 10.65C and an average of 5-6C.

Andrés G. Rolhauser, J. Scott MacIvor, Adriano N. Roberto, Selena Ahmed, Marney E. Isaac · Ecological Solutions and Evidence · Global

This paper addresses the limited understanding of conditions under which stress-tolerant "nurse" plants can facilitate stress-intolerant "protégé" species on extensive green roofs for urban agriculture. It proposes a framework and linear model, integrating trait–environment theory and facilitation ecology, to make testable predictions on protégé species performance along stress gradients. The framework aims to help researchers assess the feasibility of nurse–protégé interactions under various environmental conditions.

Annie Drottberger, Yizhi Zhang, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Marie-Claude Dubois · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · Global

This systematic literature review, based on 45 articles, examined the benefits and challenges of rooftop greenhouse technology. While benefits include optimized land use, increased profitability, good yields, and resource efficiency, the review identified significant challenges. These challenges include additional investment and operational costs, limited availability of flat roofs, and various regulations, which hinder the widespread adoption of rooftop greenhouses.

Herbert Mandigo, Teddious Mhizha, Terence Darlington Mushore · Applied Sciences · Zimbabwe (Harare)

This study investigated the implications of urban growth on maize yield in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe, from 1984 to 2018 using Landsat data. Cropland area was reduced from 11,120 ha in 1984 to 2631 ha in 2018. Consequently, the estimated average maize yield decreased significantly from 52,264 tons in 1984 to 12,366 tons in 2018, demonstrating that urban growth has the potential to compromise food security.

Institut de Gestion des Techniques Urbaines, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi, MERIEM BENLAHRECHE, Saïd Mazouz, Département d’architecture, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi · Revue Roumaine de Géographie / Romanian Journal of Geography · Algeria

This article aims to explain urban phenomena in Hamma Bouziane, Algeria, a city known for its fertile land. The study indicates that the peri-urban agriculture of Hamma Bouziane is suffering negative repercussions due to unbridled urban expansion and socio-economic changes.

Divyam Jindal · International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) · Global

This research introduces an AI-based model that uses satellite imaging, machine learning, and demographic projections to optimize urban agriculture. The model integrates soil analysis, water availability prediction, crop recommendations, and population growth projections for informed decision-making. It aims to optimize land use and balance urbanization, food security, and environmental sustainability.

James Kwame Mensah · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Global

This study examined how the concepts of urban agriculture (UA), local economic development (LED), and climate change can be treated in unison. Based on a review of credible published papers on UA, LED, climate change, and nature-based solutions (NBS), a conceptual framework was developed to show their linkages. The paper established that UA could boost LED, build resilient urban settlements, and promote social inclusiveness, but it also comes with social challenges.

· International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements · Iraq (Baghdad)

This case study explored the potential of urban agriculture in the Al-Bastanah neighborhood of Al-Za'faraniya, Baghdad. It investigated how urban agriculture can be integrated into neighborhood planning processes.

Sadika Parvin, Md. Shahidul Islam · Khulna University Studies · Bangladesh

This descriptive quantitative study assessed the social acceptance of rooftop gardens among city dwellers in Bangladesh, surveying 475 participants online. While approximately three-quarters of respondents showed positive attitudes towards rooftop gardening, about one-third had negative attitudes, indicating unwillingness, with similar trends observed for behavioral perceptions. The study revealed that one-third of respondents still held negative attitudes and just over one-third had negative behavioral perceptions towards rooftop gardening.

Eva Rosdiana, Nurul Sjamsijah, Sri Rahayu, Dian Hartati · J-ABDI Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Global

This community engagement activity aimed to promote urban farming as a solution for urban food security and environmental issues. The method involved socializing the benefits and implementation of urban farming to community groups, followed by assisting them in creating a model urban farm. The activity targeted outcomes such as scientific publication and increased community adoption of technology.

María José Ludewig, Patricia Landaverde‐González, Klaus‐Peter Götz, Frank‐M. Chmielewski · Journal of Insect Conservation · Global

This study assessed bee visits to experimental blueberry and cherry orchards in an urban landscape to understand how air temperature affects the pollination contribution of honey bees and wild bees. Bumble bees and honey bees were the most important floral visitors, followed by Anthophora plumipes. Honey bees' potential contribution to pollination services decreased with air temperature changes, but this was offset by the niche complementarity of bumble bees.

Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global

This article discusses the evolution of the concept of food and nutritional security (FNS) internationally, from post-World War II to the COVID-19 crisis, and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to this agenda. Based on a critical literature review, the study notes that institutional responses to FNS often focus on crises and prioritize unsustainable globalized food systems. UPA practices have seen periods of rise and decline, evolving alongside the FNS agenda, and the article concludes by discussing the need to incorporate concepts of justice, global health, and a multidimensional view of sustainability into FNS and UPA discussions.

Luis Carlos Estupiñán Aponte · Repositorio Institucional UPTC · Global

This project explores urban and peri-urban agriculture as a viable, though not comprehensive, solution to food vulnerability in urban areas, where access to food is often limited by purchasing power. It applies circular economy and agroecological principles, utilizing available resources for garden assembly, processing plant waste into fertilizers, and employing botanical and microbiological controls for phytosanitary management. The initiative emphasizes broad community participation, knowledge exchange, and the creation of social spaces to enhance food and nutrition security.

Sandrine Simon · Urban Governance · Portugal (Lisbon)

This study examined urban agricultural initiatives in Lisbon, Portugal, and their integration into urban planning strategies for sustainability, using Design Thinking methodology for a literature review. The integration of urban agriculture into urban planning is identified as a complex problem due to conflicting goals among actors. The research suggests that Design Thinking could assist urban planners in addressing this challenge by providing flexible, iterative, and participatory approaches.

Jiangxiao Qiu, Hui Zhao · EDIS · Global

This overview identified eight ecosystem services generally attributed to urban agriculture, including food production, microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and social-cultural values. However, the study found that quantitative evidence for many of these ecosystem services, especially intangible ones, is scarce. It suggests that while urban agriculture could be integral to green infrastructure, further consideration is needed for types, technology, management, and potential tradeoffs.

Luíza Malvessi Lagemann, Luciana Turatti, Rodrigo Spinelli · Revista Destaques Acadêmicos · Global

This paper conducted a literature review of architecture and urban planning projects to find alternatives to mitigate problems of the current food system, such as processed foods, reduced access for small producers, and high environmental pollution. Ten projects focusing on urban agriculture and healthier food production were analyzed. Ultimately, it was observed that it is possible to construct architectural and urban planning projects that contribute to more sustainable food production, especially in urban areas and with the use of urban agriculture.

Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global

A critical literature review discussed the evolution of food and nutrition security (FNS) and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). The review found that institutional responses to FNS are concentrated in times of crisis, which favors the maintenance of globalized and unsustainable food systems. UPA practices show peaks of rise and decline, evolving with the FNS agenda.

Luis L. Vázquez · Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering · Cuba

This study analyzed Cuba's transition towards decentralized and diversified agriculture, driven by peasant family farming and urban agriculture movements in response to the economic crisis since the 1990s. It found that agroecology has become popular in human settlements, facilitating population participation in small-area production systems such as intensive and organoponic gardens. These systems enable communities to obtain over 40 fresh products for local consumption.

Alexandra Ribeiro, Lívia Madureira, Raquel Carvalho · Landscape and Urban Planning · Global

This paper conducted a bibliometric analysis of published research on urban gardens, using Vosviewer software and the Web of Science database. The analysis identified four research clusters: 'Citizens' (people, lifestyle, community), 'Drivers' (motivations, purposes, benefits), 'Cities' (contribution to urban sustainability, hindered by lack of policy recognition), and 'Soil' (sustainability shortcomings due to soil contamination on vacant land). The study concluded that urban garden research is directly related to sustainable development, but the issue receives little importance, with most studies being case studies and economic pressure affecting sustainability.

Richard Beach · Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy · Global

This study analyzed the perceptions of three English teachers and three students participating in two high school environmental clubs, using a critical inquiry systems thinking framework. Interviews explored their views on the purposes, outcomes, norms, and beliefs of energy/transportation, agriculture/food production, and economic systems impacting climate change. Teachers and students critiqued these systems for leading to negative climate change outcomes and engaged in sustainability practices like planting school gardens and supporting recycling/composting.

Sasan Khademi Kalantari, Mohammad Raoof Rashedi, Rojina Ehsani, Fariborz M. Tehrani · · Global

This paper addresses the lifecycle analysis of green roofs in hot summer Mediterranean climates, such as Rome, Italy, to optimize their application for sustainability. Green roofs can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by lowering roof temperatures, but they also impact building weight and construction costs. The study aims to translate energy consumption into greenhouse gas emissions and measure water and waste related to structural or thermal operations, providing insights for building professionals.

Tanja Mölders · · Global

"Societal Spatial Relations as a Sustainability Science Perspective on 'Space', 'Nature', and 'Gender'. The Case Study Urban Gardening" was published on page 39 of Gender und Diversity in Natur-, Technik- und Planungswissenschaften.

Jen Rae · Performance Research · Australia (Melbourne)

During the 2020-21 COVID-19 lockdowns, Fawkner Commons in Melbourne, Australia, transformed a community garden into an urban farm and a disused lawn bowling club into a food hub. This initiative, led by local residents, distributed over $116,000 worth of no-cost/low-cost culturally relevant food boxes and over 2,400 prepared meals in 2020 to the food-insecure suburb of Fawkner. This article reflects on the creative methodologies that supported Fawkner Commons' success in providing food relief when other organizations were overwhelmed.

Mengdi Dai, Xiangfeng Tan, Ziran Ye, Bojun Li, Yi Zhang, Xuting Chen, Dedong Kong · Environmental Technology & Innovation · Global

This study analyzed 15 soil samples from three sampling sites (original soil, after a seven-year natural cycle, and after a seven-year microcirculation system) to investigate soil properties, bacterial communities, and their relationships in a rooftop farm. The microcirculation system was shown to effectively improve the soil environment and bacterial community by increasing total nitrogen and total organic carbon contents by approximately 2 and 3.5 times, respectively.