Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(17 / 363)
Cost-effective urban farming with alternative water sources treated by nature-based solutions: A critical review of global practices
2026Niloofar Shoja Razavi, Kefeng Zhang, Veljko Prodanović · Agricultural Systems · Global
This review assessed the agronomic suitability and contaminant profiles of five alternative water sources (greywater, blackwater, groundwater, rainwater, and stormwater) for urban crop irrigation. Four nature-based solution (NBS) technologies (constructed wetlands, biofilters, green roofs, and green walls) were evaluated as pre-treatment systems, with hybrid systems demonstrating over 97% removal efficiency for contaminants. Economic viability was highly dependent on crop selection; high-value crops like tomatoes and sweet peppers irrigated with treated groundwater showed the greatest profitability, while faba beans remained unviable regardless of treatment. Policy analysis identified substantial governance gaps, including inconsistent enforcement, limited public acceptance, and minimal regulatory guidance specific to urban agricultural water reuse.
Organic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsThe Productive Carrier / 生产性载体 / Le Squelette Productif
2026Pierre Camugli · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · China
This trilingual working document proposes a valuation model for revitalizing dormant real estate assets in Chinese Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The model is based on converting unfinished or underutilized buildings into urban industrial agriculture units. It explores three strategic trajectories (5–7 years, 20–30 years, 30+ years) for transforming these structures into "Productive Carriers."
EconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageImplementasi Urban Farming Berbasis Energi Terbarukan Menggunakan Sistem Hidroponik di BUMG Pelita Jaya Gampong Barabung
2026Riski Arifin, T. Arriessa Sukhairi, Arief Gunawan, Syaubari, Rika Sri Utami, Nur Irhamni Sabrina, Okpri Meila, Dhea Nur Fadhilah · Jurnal Pengabdian Sains dan Rekayasa. · Indonesia
This activity designed, built, and implemented a solar-based hydroponic system in Gampong Barabung, Aceh Besar Regency, Indonesia, to introduce sustainable plant cultivation. An NFT hydroponic system with 120 planting holes was successfully integrated with a 150 Wp solar panel to power the nutrient circulation pump. The system operated well for vegetable cultivation, demonstrating the potential of integrating hydroponic technology and solar energy for efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices at the village level.
DIYCommunityPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeInstitut für heimische Pflanzen und Saatgut im historischen Gutshof in Rothneusiedl
2026Buse Aksu Altiparmak · reposiTUm (TU Wien) · Austria (Vienna)
This diploma thesis presents the design for an institute for native plants and seeds at the historic Zukunftshof farm in Rothneusiedl, Vienna. The project involves comprehensively renovating and reorganizing the over one-hundred-year-old, partially used, and dilapidated building stock. The aim is to establish Zukunftshof as a sustainable location for research, conservation, knowledge transfer, and communal use, adapting its spatial structure to current and future requirements.
Heirloom & landraceFood educationCommunityAttributes of Thriving School Gardens in the US
2026Jennifer Morrison Daspin, Mariela Jiménez-Rivero, Bonnie Martin, Michele Hockett Cooper, Katie Nikah, Lyndsey Waugh, J. N. Davis · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · United States
A cross-sectional survey of 364 US school administrators, teachers, and garden coordinators identified attributes predicting thriving school gardens. Logistic regression analyses showed that each additional subject and grade taught increased the odds to thrive by 21-22%, an annual budget over $1,000 by 42 times, and higher administrative support by 42 times. Administrative support, budget, volunteer support, and garden workdays are integral to garden sustainability.
Food educationCommunityPolicyEconomicsInovasi, Adopsi Teknologi, dan Perilaku Kewirausahaan Islami: Sebuah Tinjauan Sistematis
2026M. Ilham Zainullah, Ita Marianingsih · SANTRI Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam · Global
This systematic review, analyzing 25 articles from an initial 166 Scopus records, maps how innovation, technology adoption, and Islamic entrepreneurial behaviors intertwine and contribute to the SDGs. Findings show five complementary faces of innovation: process-organization, sharia business/finance models, financial and platform digitalization, technological innovation in business models (e.g., urban farming–aquaponics), and halal product/marketing innovation, driven by individual values, Islamic HRM, finance architecture, and digital literacy. The impact is multidimensional performance, access to ethical capital, halal market behavior, and social and religious environmental outcomes, with strong contributions to SDG 8 and SDG 9.
Digital agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceBloom Finder: A Smart Flower Recommendation System Using Machine Learning
2026Chaudhari Gunjan, Thakare S. W · International Scientific Journal of Engineering and Management · Global
Bloom Finder is an intelligent decision-support system designed to assist users in selecting suitable flower species based on environmental and personal preferences. This system integrates personalized flower care tips, optimized fertilizer guidance, and an expanded range of flower categories. Leveraging IoT-enabled sensors and machine learning algorithms, it provides precise, data-driven recommendations by continuously monitoring environmental parameters such as soil pH, moisture, rainfall, temperature, humidity, and light intensity.
Digital agricultureBiodiversityDIYSeeds' Valley Ecological Farm
2026Zoltán Dezsény · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Hungary
This is a presentation about Magosvölgy (Seeds' Valley) Ecological Farm in Hungary, a real-world example of a short food supply chain. The family-run farm operates on 0.5 hectares, growing over 40 species and 100 varieties of mixed organic vegetables using low-tech, regenerative methods without chemicals or heavy machinery. It functions as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, with 160 members paying a yearly fee for weekly vegetable shares, reaching around 800 consumers and distributing approximately 32,000 kg of vegetables annually.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeIntegrating Spatial Data and Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Resilient Urban Planning: Lessons from South Africa
2026Thembani Moyo, Vuyiswa Letsoko, Mhlalisi Gavu Mndzebele, Siphiwe Mbatha, Nonpumelelo Mzobe, Trynos Gumbo · · South Africa (Johannesburg)
In Johannesburg's marginalized settlements, limited infrastructure resources negatively impact household livelihoods, necessitating the development of planning support systems. Urban agriculture has emerged as a critical approach to enhancing food security and economic empowerment, and this study employed a mixed-method approach combining indigenous knowledge systems with spatial data to assess land suitability. The findings presented a land suitability index demonstrating how integrating GIS and citizen science strengthens urban resilience through adaptive land use, improved local food systems, and climate change mitigation.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyClimate changeStrategi Kebijakan Pemerintah Kota Bandar Lampung dalam Penguatan Urban Farming dan Ketahanan Pangan
2026Eliza Eliza · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Indonesia (Bandar Lampung)
This study analyzed the Bandar Lampung City Government's policy strategies for strengthening urban farming as an instrument of urban food security in Indonesia. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach and secondary data, key issues identified were households' high dependence on markets, suboptimal development of backyard and community-based urban farming, and weak integration of urban farming with the city's food security policies.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityEl aula de ecoinglés: uso del aprendizaje basado en proyectos para promover iniciativas de aprendizaje ambiental
2026Hazel Acosta Cadungog, Carlos Daniel Cazco Maldonado, Martha Lucía Lara Freire · Revista Multidisciplinaria Investigación Contemporánea · Ecuador
A research project in Ecuador involved 35 English teachers from four cities to promote significant learning in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes using Project-Based Learning (PBL) with urban agriculture content. Data collected through action research revealed significant improvements in students' vocabulary development and basic sentence structure comprehension. Teachers also noted increased student engagement and interest due to the integration of real-world topics.
Food educationReal time Plant Disease detection and Classification using CNN Integrated IOT Framework
2026Pranali Nitnaware, Rina Mundle, Disha Sahastrabuddhe, Shahastrika Kamble, Himanshu Nandankar · Open MIND · Global
This paper proposes an Android application integrating plant disease detection and waste management for urban agriculture. The system uses a lightweight TensorFlow Lite CNN model to detect plant diseases from leaf images in real time and provides treatment recommendations. It also includes a module for users to submit waste complaints with images, descriptions, and GPS information, allowing administrators to monitor and update statuses via the cloud.
Digital agricultureDIYFood educationAdaptive livelihood strategies of evicted peri-urban farmers in the newly metropolitan city of Ethiopia
2026Abie Assres Fenta, Habtie Anmaw · Discover Sustainability · Ethiopia (Debre Markos)
This qualitative study explored the adaptive livelihood strategies of evicted peri-urban farmers around the metropolis of Debre Markos, Ethiopia. Findings confirmed that farmers tend to hand over their land with insufficient compensation and are compelled to adapt to new livelihoods after losing farmlands. Many displaced young farmers experienced bankruptcy in new businesses due to a lack of business skills, and aged displaced farmers faced challenges adapting to new ways of life. The government did not provide adequate attention to training evicted farmers in technical, financial, and business planning.
Equity & displacementPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicyEnvironmental and Social Relationship Changes Through Self-Governance Transition in a Rooftop Community Garden of Senior Residential Living Lab
2026YeunSook Lee, Jaehyun Park, Yumi Hwang · Journal of the Korean housing association · South Korea
A longitudinal qualitative case study in a South Korean senior public rental housing community examined the first transition to self-governance in a rooftop community garden. The transition led to ecological and sensory degradation, including disrupted ecological rhythm and reduced olfactory comfort, and social fragmentation with disputes and leadership frictions. These findings revealed limits of participation-heavy models without codified rules or procedural safeguards, indicating that effective self-governance requires visible rules, procedural fairness, embedded learning, and mediation structures.
Governance failureCommunityElderlyBiodiversityDigestate biochar effects on soil Pb bioaccessibility, crop Pb concentrations, and human health risk in urban vegetable agroecosystems
2026Jennifer Newell, Rory Doherty, Gary Lyons, Siobhan F. Cox · Environmental Geochemistry and Health · Global
A controlled experiment investigated the effects of 5%w/w digestate biochar on lead (Pb) ingestion risks in urban vegetable agrisystems with varying soil Pb concentrations, high pH, and organic matter. Biochar significantly reduced soil-derived Pb ingestion risks in some systems but had no effect on vegetable-derived Pb ingestion risks for any agrisystem. Overall, biochar showed limited and variable effects on reducing Pb ingestion risks, suggesting its remediation potential is context-dependent and may offer limited protection in soils with elevated pH and organic matter.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleEnvironmental performance and methodological challenges of Rooftop Greenhouses: An introductory paper
2026Yizhi Zhang · · Global
This report systematically reviews the environmental performance of rooftop greenhouses, focusing on life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches. The review found that existing studies are limited, often case-specific, and use diverse methodologies, hindering comparisons. Environmental performance is highly context-dependent and influenced by methodological assumptions, with conventional LCA often failing to capture dynamic interactions between greenhouse operations, crop growth, and host buildings, leading to an incomplete representation of environmental performance.
Methodological critiqueClimate changeEconomicsDigital agricultureRemote sensing of urban heat dynamics and the cooling effect of urban green spaces in Ethiopian cities
2026Desalew Meseret Moges, Kristoffer Mattisson, Ebba Malmqvist, P Olsson · Environmental Challenges · Ethiopia
A study using satellite data from 2021–2024 examined urban heat and urban green space (UGS) patterns during the hot season across four Ethiopian cities. It found that UGS expanded in all cities, mainly along urban edges, and offered strong but spatially uneven cooling benefits. Daytime surface temperatures decreased, but nighttime temperatures showed mixed results, and dense central areas remained exposed to heat.
Limited or null effectClimate changeBusiness Strategies of Small Urban Farmers for Financial Sustainability and Growth: Basis for a Strategic Action Plan
2026Exequiel Campomanes, Ma. Rossdie Etis, Job Leroi Santiago, Reigne Tumbado, Mark Joseph Villamil, Jake Bitulia, Divina Gracia Cabaddu · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines
This qualitative study in the Philippines examined the profiles and business strategies of small urban farmers for financial sustainability and growth. It found that urban farming can be profitable, with all informants generating positive returns despite variations in techniques and capitalization. However, urban farmers faced challenges including personal, organizational, financial, operational, commercial, and fundamental issues, which they resolved through strategic analysis and implementation.
EconomicsCommunityPolicyCarbon gardens: A nature-based approach for climate change mitigation and sustainable landscapes
2026Farooq Ahmad Khan, Faheemullah Khan, Sumati Narayan, Mohammad Amir, Zaffar Mahdi Dar · International Journal of Research in Agronomy · Global
This review synthesizes the concept, design principles, carbon sequestration mechanisms, storage potential, and environmental benefits of carbon gardens, which are multifunctional landscapes designed to maximize carbon sequestration and deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. The article highlights their application in urban and rural landscapes and their integration with carbon-negative farming through practices such as biochar use and compost recycling. It also discusses key challenges related to carbon measurement, establishment costs, land availability, and long-term management.
Governance failureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityCompostPemberdayaan Ekonomi Kaum Difabel melalui Circular Economy Berbasis Komoditas Unggulan Daerah dan Kampanye Digital Inklusivitas
2026Budi Hartono, Hanung Eka Atmaja, Galy Hardyta, Brilian Setyo Utomo, Muhammad Lutvi, Amelia Cyntia Kusuma Wardhani · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat (abdira) · Indonesia
This community engagement program in Indonesia aimed to strengthen economic and food self-reliance among persons with disabilities using a circular economy approach and an inclusive digital campaign. Employing a participatory-collaborative method, it showed substantial improvements in maggot production skills (30% to 80%) and food self-sufficiency (20% to 60%) among participants. While the digital campaign is in its initial stage, the program demonstrates strong sustainability potential for inclusive economic empowerment.
WelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceStrengthening urban resilience in the United States: community preferences for green rooftops integrating agriculture and solar energy
2026Natalie Meyer, Simona Trandafir · Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy · United States (Rhode Island)
A choice-based survey of over 600 US residents from Rhode Island examined preferences and perceived value for green rooftop (GR) space allocations for agriculture, solar energy, and recreation. Latent class modeling revealed that Class 1, representing 20% of respondents, was generally unsupportive of GR installation and expressed disutility towards GR space allocation for solar energy. Both classes uniformly favored allocating GR space for agriculture production and showed a positive willingness to pay for this feature.
Limited or null effectCommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeRagamuffin Geographies: A Critical View of Informal Green Spaces Against Formality in Chinese Cities
2026S Wang · Advances in Economics Management and Political Sciences · China
This qualitative literature review examines informal green spaces (IGS) in Chinese cities, contrasting them with formal, hyper-managed landscapes. The study finds that while formal lawns incur high financial maintenance burdens and lower biodiversity, IGS, including spontaneous urban wilderness and community gardens, are often cleared despite offering higher biodiversity and zero maintenance costs. The research highlights a governance dilemma where the prioritization of neatness over ecology leads to the removal of IGS, which support psychological place attachment and spatial justice for marginalized groups.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyBiodiversityEconomicsWelfareSynergising outdoor, indoor, and greenhouse urban agriculture to strengthen urban resilience in an era of polycrisis
2026James Vandenberg, Kerstin Krellenberg · Sustainable Cities and Society · Global
This study investigated how differentiated configurations of outdoor, indoor, and greenhouse urban agriculture (UA) impact Urban Resilience Capacities (URCs). It found that a strategic, place-based, combinatorial approach to integrating UA typologies can produce mutually reinforcing outcomes, strengthening various URCs simultaneously. However, a strong risk of trade-offs exists when UA systems are not aligned, and a critical research gap remains as empirical case studies are concentrated in Europe and North America, overlooking experiences in the Global South.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeCommunityPolicyPemanfaatan Lahan Sempit Melalui Urban Farming Sebagai Upaya Mewujudkan Kemandirian Pangan Keluarga
2026Ivan Sanjiva Redy, Sri Subekti, Lenny Luthfiyah · AGRIFITIA Journal of Agribusiness Plantation · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This qualitative descriptive study examined the multi-sector integrated urban farming model implemented by the Mekarsari Farmers Group in Surabaya City, Indonesia. The group developed a model combining crop cultivation, fisheries, and household-scale livestock farming on limited urban land. Findings indicate that this multi-sector integration can increase household food availability, income, and strengthen family food security.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageEconomics<i>CHATBOT</i> COMO FERRAMENTA DE APOIO TÉCNICO E GERENCIAL PARA HORTAS URBANAS NO SEMIÁRIDO BRASILEIRO
2026Tiago Souza Nascimento, Valdner Daízio Ramos Clementino, João Afonso Nogueira da Silva, Paulo Henrique de Farias Martins, Douglas Santana Peixoto, Rennery Matheus Araújo Domingos · RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar - ISSN 2675-6218 · Brazil
This study developed and evaluated the initial acceptability of the Hortalix chatbot as a technical and managerial support tool for urban gardens in Petrolina – PE, Brazil. The research involved all 12 active urban garden producers in the municipality. Results indicated high initial acceptance, particularly for ease of use and technical value, though structural factors like internet connectivity limitations could affect continuous use.
Digital agricultureCommunity