Research & reports

Julia Spanier, Leonie Guerrero Lara, Giuseppe Feola · Agriculture and Human Values · Germany

This article systematically analyzes the potential for a coalition between Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and degrowth movements in Germany, drawing on social movement theories. It finds that the ideologies and political strategies of the two movements are not aligned, with CSA focusing practically on smallholder agriculture and degrowth abstractly on the growth-dependent economy. Scarce resources, differing internal organization, and CSA's lack of knowledge about degrowth are obstacles, though existing social ties and initial ideological alignment with sufficiency-oriented degrowth are noted.

Elif ŞATIROĞLU, Selda Al Şensoy, Abdullah Yasin Dündar · Mimarlık Bilimleri ve Uygulamaları Dergisi (MBUD) · Turkey

This study analyzed examples of outdoor classrooms, which are rare in Turkey, using inductive content analysis and semi-structured interviews with architects and landscape architects. It determined that the effects of outdoor classes on students could be grouped into four categories: cognitive, psychomotor, developmental, affective, and social development. Exemplary outdoor classroom models were also developed and interpreted.

Dilek SELÇUK, Mustafa Can KOÇ, Nurullah Emir Ekinci, Ersan Tolukan · DergiPark (Istanbul University) · Turkey (Istanbul)

This study investigated the environmental interest of students who spend their leisure time in school gardens at Şehit Onbaşı Murat Şengöz Imam Hatip Secondary School in Arnavutköy district, Istanbul, Turkey. Data was collected online from 51 male and 229 female students. Findings showed no significant difference in environmental interest based on age or grade level, but a significant difference was observed in the biodiversity sub-dimension based on gender, with girls demonstrating more interest.

Hüseyin Berk TÜRKER, Murat Akten · Mimarlık Bilimleri ve Uygulamaları Dergisi (MBUD) · Turkey

This study assessed the urban agriculture potential of vacant lands in the city center of Usak, Turkey, and created a GIS-based urban agriculture inventory. The analysis focused on available vacant lands including municipally-owned, foundation, public, forest, and pasture lands. Results showed a significant amount of vacant lands in Usak suitable for urban agriculture, with 7.32 ha highly suitable, 80.58 ha moderately suitable, and 110.94 ha marginally suitable.

Chloé Duffaut, Florence Brondeau, Julien Gasparini · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · France (Ivry-sur-Seine)

This study tested the effects of feral pigeon guano as a fertilizer on cherry tomato plants in an urban environment on a rooftop in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. In June 2017, 15g of guano was added to 15 cultivation bags, while 15 control bags received only water. After 15 days, guano-treated plants were taller and tended to have more flowers, and the total number and mass of harvested cherry tomatoes were one to two times higher than the control. However, the average mass per fruit was not affected by the treatment. The study concluded that pigeon guano is an efficient local fertilizer for cherry tomato plants in urban areas.

JC Niala · Ecozon European Journal of Literature Culture and Environment · United Kingdom (Oxford)

This essay explores a case study where an allotment in the style of 1918 was recreated at a charity allotment site in Oxford, United Kingdom, during the 2020-2021 growing season. The researcher planted open-pollinated non-hybrid heritage seeds from that era, reflecting on the soil as a repository of memory through academic and creative responses. The plot became a living memorial visited by diverse members of the public, engaging with themes such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, the 1918-1919 flu pandemic, and the First World War.

Guillaume Delfesc, Bertug Ozarisoy · · United Kingdom (King's Cross Central)

This project investigated community fragmentation in the Caledonian Road area of London, UK, situated between King's Cross Central and Upper Street. Research indicated that communities in Caledonian Road live separately and do not fully utilize the site's potential, such as existing green spaces. The project aims to create linkages among diverse communities through urban agriculture.

Fatıma Betül Demir, Meryem Kayış, Dilan Aksoy, Ramazan Rüçhan KAYA, Emirhan Kaya · International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies · Turkey

This action research, conducted with 20 fourth-grade students (10 female, 10 male) in a public primary school in Bartin, Turkey, during the 2021-2022 academic year, aimed to reveal the applicability of workshops prepared in the school garden for improving students' environmental sensitivity. Data were obtained through a scale developed by Peker (2020) and a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. As a result of the research, it was determined that environmental education workshops were effective in increasing students’ environmental awareness. Students stated that environmental education activities were fun, useful, and instructive, indicating a positive effect on them.

Margaret Haderer · · Germany (Berlin)

This chapter examines East Berlin's reconstruction from 1949 to 1970, focusing on mass housing under socialism. The rebuilding efforts initially balanced national traditions with standardization, but prefabrication, symbolized by the "Platte" concrete tower, ultimately prevailed as a symbol of social equality. Allotment gardens served as a significant counter-space to these standardized housing developments.

Silvio Caputo, Victoria Schoen, Chris Blythe · Land · United Kingdom (London)

Data was collected from seven community gardens and one community farm in London, UK, during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons using a citizen science approach, investigating crop yield, resource inputs, and social benefits. Results showed very mixed levels of crop and social productivity depending on organizational structure and agenda, with no clear pattern emerging. This study suggests that citywide productivity evaluations based on small data samples may not be reliable.

Carme Estruch, Sauveur Belviso, Alba Badía, Verònica Vidal, Roger Curcoll, Mireia Udina, Claudia Grossi, Josep-Antón Morguí, Ricard Segura, Sergi Ventura, Yolanda Solá, Gara Villalba · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · Spain (Barcelona)

This study measured the spatial distribution and variability of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) in four urban land uses in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, Spain, during May and October 2020. Urban values ranged from neutral to above background, suggesting anthropogenic and marine emissions, while agricultural areas showed OCS uptake during land breezes in May. Urban forests also showed significant OCS uptake, but marine and anthropogenic emissions from the port strongly impacted the spatial-temporal distribution of OCS, complicating the determination of the urban biosphere signal.

Susana Toboso‐Chavero, Antonio Luis Montealegre Gracia, Sergio García-Pérez, Jorge Sierra-Pérez, Joan Muñoz‐Liesa, Xavier Gabarrell, Gara Villalba, Cristina Madrid‐López · Sustainable Cities and Society · Spain (Cerdanyola)

This study investigated the supply potential and impacts of four roof mosaic scenarios for local food, energy, and water production systems on urban rooftops in Cerdanyola, a 58,000-inhabitant town in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Using spatial analysis, metabolism analysis, and impact assessments, the study found an average rooftop/household potential of 31 m2, with single-family housing showing the highest potential for electricity (51%) and water (14%) self-sufficiency. Housing estates achieved the highest vegetable self-sufficiency (32%), while rooftop farming systems showed the best performance for housing estates and originary fabrics in terms of overall impacts.

Runrid Fox-Kämper, Caitlin K. Kirby, Kathrin Specht, Nevin Cohen, Rositsa T. Ilieva, Silvio Caputo, Victoria Schoen, Jason K. Hawes, Lidia Poniży, Béatrice Bechet · Landscape and Urban Planning · Europe; United States

The relationship between urban agriculture (UA) and food-energy-water (FEW) nexus policies was analyzed using policy data from five case study cities in Europe and the U.S. (Dortmund, Gorzów Wielkopolski, London, Nantes, and New York City). An analysis of 78 policy documents and a Q-sort ranking by UA policy experts showed that the number, type, and degree of support for nexus policies varied among cities, and few policies (19) incorporated all elements of the nexus. Regulations were considered more effective at ensuring resource-efficient UA than incentives or awareness-raising policies.

Bernd Bonfert · · United Kingdom; Germany

This article investigates "network failure" and collaboration barriers within Community-supported agriculture (CSA) networks in the UK and Germany, using qualitative case studies. The study found that CSA networks function effectively at national and local levels but experience relative failure at the regional level. Regular barriers to collaboration arise from capacity limitations, member differences, and competition, which the networks are actively trying to address.

Lisa Mølgaard Hald, Luke John Schafer · Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment · United Kingdom (Dartington)

This study examined soil organic carbon (SOC) in a food forest, redwood forest, pasture, and agricultural field in Dartington, UK, at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths. Similar total SOC was found across all four systems. However, food forest soil showed similar long-term carbon storage to redwood forest, while pasture and agricultural fields stored less.

Susana Alves, Bahar Bașer Kalyoncuoğlu · Ecopsychology · Turkey (Istanbul)

This study explored the socio-ecological potential of urban agriculture in 10 family-related projects in Istanbul, where Bostans (historical urban vegetable gardens) are culturally significant. Despite their importance and UNESCO recognition, the planning and management of bostans have been hampered by rapid urbanization and a lack of integrative policies. Data from interviews, observations, and fieldwork highlighted the role of kinship in knowledge transfer and how farmers base activities on past-present affordances and future expectations.

Janine Voge, Till Newiger-Dous, Emily Ehrlich, Ulrich Ermann, D. Ernst, Dagmar Haase, Isabel Lindemann, Rebecca Thoma, Emilia Wilhelm, Joerg A. Priess, Lukas Egli · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Germany (Leipzig)

This study assessed food loss and waste (FLW) and yields for one year in four Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in the Leipzig area, Germany, comparing them to reference data. Results showed that FLW during production, distribution, and consumption was on average 22–70% lower compared to reference data. Due to lower FLW, CSA initiatives could compensate for yield gaps of 32% on average, reflecting typical yield gaps between organic and conventional agriculture. Co-evaluation with CSA gardeners indicated that FLW could be further reduced at all stages.

Enes AKDENİZ, M. Bihter BİNGÜL BULUT, İbrahim HOSAFLIOĞLU, Öner Demirel · Mimarlık Bilimleri ve Uygulamaları Dergisi (MBUD) · Turkey (Iğdır)

This study aimed to determine the place and importance of urban agriculture from the perspective of stakeholders in Iğdır city and its surrounding areas. Semi-structured interview forms were used, with five questions posed to stakeholders, and data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. According to the findings, Iğdır city was concluded to hold significant potential for urban agricultural activities.

David Adams, Peter J. Larkham, Michael Hardman · Land · United Kingdom

This paper explores how porous boundary treatments and plot layouts can encourage ecological exchanges in new urban and peri-urban developments, focusing on a large-scale residential development in the English midlands. It outlines the socio-economic, cultural, and ecological significance of embedding diverse hedgerow designs into early planning, revealing a need to move beyond current models. The study suggests these designs could encourage sustainable land use and scalable urban agricultural systems.

Alessandra Como, Albina Cuomo, Luisa Smeragliuolo Perrotta · Sustainability · Italy (Pozzuoli)

In Pozzuoli, Southern Italy, multidisciplinary research addressed sustainability in urban agricultural landscape design. The study presented an integrated solution combining architecture and hydro-geomorphology for water management, accessibility, and use of urban agricultural landscapes. A prototype water and landscape infrastructure was developed, integrating a subsurface water system, cycle–pedestrian paths, and small-scale architecture around water tanks. This integrated system contributes to implementing green transition within cities.

Angelina Sanderson Bellamy, Ella Furness, Susanna Mills, Adrian K. Clear, Samantha Mitchell Finnigan, Elliot Meador, Alice E. Milne, Ryan T. Sharp · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · United Kingdom

This study analyzed interview data and food diaries from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members and the wider UK population, using the 2019 EAT Lancet Commission dietary guidelines. It found that CSA members consumed diets closer to the EAT Lancet recommendations than controls, with significant differences in daily intakes of meat, dairy, vegetables, legumes, and sugar. CSA members' diets emitted on average 28% less CO2 compared to controls.

Ruslan Zaporozhchenko, Denys Shymansky · SOCIOПРОСТІР · Ukraine (Kharkiv)

The Kharkiv Green Urban Tour 2023, held in April-May 2023, aimed to reveal the “green” practices of Kharkiv residents during the war, specifically the continuation of growing and distributing home-grown vegetables and fruits in the context of urban farming. This study, conducted as part of the FUSILLI international research project, seeks to provide a clearer understanding of how residents of an urbanized city engage in improvised farming, adapt to the military situation, and reproduce green practices while helping others.

Valentina Cattivelli · Journal of urban regeneration and renewal · Italy (Lombardy)

This paper describes the profile of foreign urban gardeners in Lombardy, Italy, based on questionnaire responses from municipalities. Foreign gardeners predominantly originate from North Africa and Eastern Europe, are mostly over 40 years old, married, and have children. While many Lombard municipalities have urban gardening projects, there is no regional database of cultivated plots or specific information on gardens cultivated by foreign-born residents.

Rachel Heaton · Archaeology Data Service · United Kingdom

This report documents archaeological work conducted during the restoration of Evesham Abbey in the UK from 2021 to 2023, commissioned by Evesham Abbey Trust. Three evaluation trenches revealed modern allotment deposits over abbey demolition material, with structural archaeology including a stone drain and a substantial wall correlating with the abbey church's northern wall. The origin of recorded robber trenches remains unclear.

Candan Türkkan · Moment Journal · Turkey (Istanbul)

This paper analyzes urban gardening practices in Yedikule Bostanlari and Kuzguncuk Bostani in Istanbul, examining the convoluted relationship between the food movement and urban agriculture. It argues that while urban agriculture initiatives are significant for generating community and proposing alternative uses for urban space, they do relatively little to mitigate the structural problems underlined by the food movement. As such, even though they are examples of urban agriculture in practice, their aspirations do not readily associate with those of the food movement.