Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1177 results(17 / 48)
Global Trends in Urban Agriculture Research: A Pathway toward Urban Resilience and Sustainability
2022Dan Yan, Litao Liu, Xiaojie Liu, Ming Zhang · Land · Global
A bibliometric analysis of 605 papers from the Web of Science database (2001–2021) tracked global research trends in urban agriculture. The study found a substantial increase in publications, with the US, Germany, UK, Italy, and China being the most influential countries. Research focuses include food production, various functions of urban agriculture, and emerging topics like sustainability and the water-energy-food nexus. The analysis also noted that urban agriculture does not necessarily equate to a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly food system, suggesting a need for technology-based transitions for sustainable development.
Urban–rural linkageClimate changePolicyEconomicsLand Tenure Security and Urban Agriculture: Focusing on the Vegetable Cultivation in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
2022Betty Mntambo · Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania · Tanzania (Morogoro Municipality)
This study examined land tenure security in urban agriculture among 69 male and female vegetable farmers in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania, using snowball sampling and a cross-sectional design. Findings revealed that farmers access land informally by renting from legal landowners, with social relationships determining tenure security. Land tenure insecurity negatively affects vegetable cultivation and generates uncertainty and animosity between farmers and landlords.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceImplementation of Urban Agriculture Plan (green garden) in Razi University of Kermanshah and its Effects on Sustainable Development
2022Hadi Ebadi, Zahra Mohebi · Journal of Sustainability Perspectives · Iran (Kermanshah)
This study investigated the implementation of an urban agriculture plan (green garden) at Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran, and its effects on sustainable development. The plan is expected to strengthen social interaction, economic and environmental aspects, and foster a culture aligned with urban agriculture development. The findings are intended for use in planning and agricultural policies.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changePolicyURBAN AGRICULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN KHULNA CITY CORPORATION, SOUTHWEST BANGLADESH
2022Mosammat Rowshan Ara · Khulna University Studies · Bangladesh (Khulna City)
This study surveyed 361 household heads in Khulna City, Bangladesh, to assess the contribution of urban agriculture to the sustainable livelihoods of low-income people. Agricultural activities observed included vegetable cultivation, livestock rearing, aquaculture, crop cultivation, and innovative gardening. The Index of Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihood (IASL) showed that landowners engaged in more sustainable activities, with sustainability increasing by 0.218 units per decimal of land, and male respondents contributed more to agricultural activities than females. The findings suggest agriculture can help fulfill basic needs for low-income urban residents.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunity-Supported Agriculture Networks in Wales and Central Germany: Scaling Up, Out, and Deep through Local Collaboration
2022Bernd Bonfert · Sustainability · Wales
This paper investigated local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks in Wales and Germany using semi-structured interviews and observations. It found that local collaboration enables CSAs to integrate supply chains, engage communities, and participate in food councils. However, the study also revealed competitive tensions between neighboring CSAs, which presents a previously unknown challenge to CSA's potential scalability.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceNarratives and Benefits of Agricultural Technology in Urban Buildings: A Review
2022Michael G. Parkes, Duarte Leal Azevedo, Tiago Domingos, Ricardo F. M. Teixeira · Atmosphere · Global
This literature review, covering 28 articles from 2015–2022 on 68 active urban agriculture (UA) installations, systematizes narratives about the benefits of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and soil-less growing systems in urban buildings. The review found that data quantifying the claimed benefits are limited, and thus the exact environmental effects of CEA remain undetermined.
Digital agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceBusiness Models for Urban Farming in and Around Urban Protected Areas
2022Vesna Popović, Branko Mihailović · IGI Global eBooks · Serbia (Belgrade)
This study analyzed the business model of EkoPark Belgrade, an organic farm within Serbia's Avala Protected Area, which combines certified organic production and direct sales with on-farm services. Using the Canvas Business Model, the authors identified key success factors to help farmers in and around urban protected areas choose viable development strategies.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageCommunityDeterminants Affecting Public Intention to Use Micro-Vertical Farming: A Survey Investigation
2022Yiming Shao, Zhugen Wang, Zhiwei Zhou, Haojing Chen, Yuanlong Cui, Zhenghuan Zhou · Sustainability · Global
Vertical farming faces challenges such as high energy consumption, costs, and a lack of social acceptance. This study investigated public acceptance of micro-vertical farming using a deconstructed theory of planned behavior model. Results showed that the overall mean of public behavioral intentions to use vertical farming was 3.9, which is above neutral (3.00) but less than positive (4.00).
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityPolicyUrban agriculture and shortened supply chain – different approaches to local food production
2022Ada Górna · Prace i Studia Geograficzne · Global
A study analyzed urban agriculture supply chains in Havana, Kigali, Bissau, and Singapore based on fieldwork conducted from 2018 to 2020. It found that while shortened supply chains are typical for urban agriculture, their benefits are not arbitrary and depend on local economic, social, and spatial conditions, as well as the supply chain's organization and structure. The positive effects of localized food production are not universal, indicating a need for further research into supply and value chain structures.
Limited or null effectEconomicsFood miles & supply chainUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceLand Take Processes and Challenges for Urban Agriculture: A Spatial Analysis for Novi Sad, Serbia
2022Jelena Živanović Miljković, Vesna Popović, Aleksandra Gajić · Land · Serbia (Novi Sad)
A study conducted in Futog, Novi Sad, Serbia, investigated land take (LT) processes and challenges for urban agriculture, focusing on the role and implications of land use planning. Quantifying LT for 2000–2018 using CORINE Land Cover and Urban Atlas datasets revealed that a significant portion of agricultural land in Futog, registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) for Futog cabbage, was planned for conversion into construction land. The study concluded that current land use planning in Serbia is inadequate to ensure the protection of either urban agriculture or GIs.
Governance failurePolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsDynamic domain transformation resource scheduling approach: water irrigation scheduling for urban farming
2022Megat Nabil Irwan Megat Amerudin, Siti Khatijah Nor Abdul Rahim, Nasiroh Omar, Mohd Suffian Sulaiman, Amir Hamzah Jaafar, Raseeda Hamzah · IAES International Journal of Artificial Intelligence · Global
This study employed the Domain Transformation Approach (DTA) to solve water irrigation scheduling for urban farming, aiming to handle dynamic uncertainties and avoid non-optimal schedules. The proposed model was tested on three different datasets. Results showed that costs were higher in all instances without utilizing the dynamic DTA, indicating that DTA produced higher quality solutions and is a more effective way of scheduling resources with ad-hoc changes.
EconomicsDigital agricultureOvercoming divergence: managing expectations from organisers and members in community supported agriculture in Switzerland
2022Claudia Vaderna, Robert Home, Paola Migliorini, D. Roep · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · Switzerland
This study explored the main challenges faced by eight Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in Switzerland and the pathways used to address them. It was shown that while organizers often have enthusiastic ideas, generating sufficient income for a fair producer salary is difficult, posing a challenge to long-term existence. The members' perspective (254 responses) indicated a divergence between organizers' expectations and members' more pragmatic approach.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsChallenges and Sustainability Dynamics of Urban Agriculture in the Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana: A Study of Bolgatanga Municipality
2022Elias Danyi Kuusaana, Isaac Ayurienga, Joyce A. Eledi Kuusaana, Joseph Kwaku Kidido, Ibrahim Abu Abdulai · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Ghana (Bolgatanga)
A study in Bolgatanga Township, Ghana, used field surveys, key informant interviews, and GIS mapping to examine urban agricultural practices. It found that agricultural lands significantly decreased in size and contiguity since 1996 due to urban sprawl, forcing farmers to use segregated plots and undeveloped residential areas which are easily lost to development. The study concluded that urbanization exacerbates food production challenges without policies to protect agricultural lands.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkage'Cultivating and fighting at the same time': an immigrants innovative entrepreneurial journey in the agricultural scene in Norway
2022Norma Wong, Marte C. W. Solheim · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Norway
This case study details Tugushan Alp's entrepreneurial journey in Norway, where he pioneered hydroponic lettuce production in a bomb shelter. Alp faced multiple hurdles, including battling regulatory bodies for a legal premise. Despite these challenges, he achieved success and recognition for his innovative urban farming method.
Governance failureDigital agricultureEconomicsPolicyEFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON URBAN HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD SECURITY STATUS IN Ghana: PRE AND POST LOCKDOWN ANALYSIS
2022Richard Kofi Asravor, Paul Adjei Kwakwa · African Geographical Review · Ghana
This study compared the food security status of urban dwellers in Accra, Ghana, before and after the COVID-19 lockdown, using a sample of 340 respondents. The research found a significant difference, with 36.4% of households being 'High food secure' prior to COVID-19, but 12.35% becoming 'Very low food secure' post-lockdown. The findings indicate a decline in urban household food security following the lockdown.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsThe spatial distribution of urban community gardens and their associated socio-economic status in Tehran, Iran
2022Sina Razzaghi Asl, Anahita Azadgar · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Iran (Tehran)
A study in Tehran, Iran, mapped the spatial distribution and socio-economic attributes of 26 urban community gardens using semi-structured interviews, qualitative analysis, and secondary data from the 2020 Tehran statistical yearbook. The findings revealed a geographical distribution imbalance, with most gardens located in the southern part of the city. Community gardens were mainly placed in areas with lower average land prices, lower median household income, and higher education graduates, indicating an uneven distribution that favors socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
Equity & displacementCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsAuditing the spatial and temporal changes in urban cropland in Harare metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe
2022Lenon Musosa, Munyaradzi Davis Shekede, Isaiah Gwitira, Innocent Chirisa, Daniel Tevera, Abraham R. Matamanda · African Geographical Review · Zimbabwe (Harare)
This study mapped the spatial and temporal distribution of cropland in Harare Metropolitan, Zimbabwe, between 1985 and 2019 using Landsat 5 imagery and the Random Forest classifier in Google Earth Engine. The results revealed considerable fluctuations in the cultivated area over this period, influenced by several factors. The study demonstrates the increasing importance of remote sensing for assessing urban cropland and its contribution to food security.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban–rural linkageRoadmap to resource efficient urban agriculture
2022Runrid Fox-Kämper, Specht Kathrin, Caputo Silvio, Hawes Jason K., Lélièvre Agnès, Cohen Nevin, Poniży Lidia · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This roadmap identifies policy recommendations for a desirable future for urban agriculture in 2050, based on policy reviews, interviews, and workshops. It assesses how policy can be developed to create synergies between urban agriculture and cities' food, energy, and water nexus, drawing from existing policies in five city regions in France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The recommendations are based on the most positive outcomes for urban agriculture, cities, and citizens.
PolicyClimate changeEconomicsLife cycle cost analysis of tomato production in innovative urban agriculture systems
2022Alexandra Peña, M. Rosa Rovira‐Val, Joan Manuel F. Mendoza · Journal of Cleaner Production · Global
This paper analyzed the economic viability of tomato production in an innovative rooftop urban agriculture system using a life cycle cost methodology. Data was collected from direct measurements and various sources. Results showed that the main cost drivers for tomato production were labor (24.7%), the rooftop greenhouse structure (15%), external pest control (12.6%), and rainwater consumption (9.5%), totaling 61.8% of costs.
EconomicsTowards a More Sustainable Urban Food System—Carbon Emissions Assessment of a Diet Transition with the FEWprint Platform
2022Nick ten Caat, Martin Tenpierik, Andy van den Dobbelsteen · Sustainability · Global
This study introduced the FEWprint platform's diet shift component, simulating a theoretical community-wide diet shift from conventional to vegan while maintaining protein intake in Amsterdam, Belfast, and Detroit. Results showed the largest total carbon mitigation potential in Detroit (-916 kg CO2eq/cap/year), followed by Belfast (-866 kg) and Amsterdam (-509 kg). In relative terms, Belfast had the largest carbon reduction potential (-25%), followed by Amsterdam (-15%) and Detroit (-7%).
Climate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban farming taking root in Malaysia
2022Jia Qi Cheong · · Malaysia
Almost 10 million Malaysians face food insecurity, leading to the emergence of initiatives supporting alternative food sources, though challenges persist. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of urban food supply chains, with Malaysia experiencing cooking oil price spikes in February 2022.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeUrban Farming as a Resilient Strategy During COVID-19 Pandemic
2022Komalawati Komalawati, Sarjana, Anggi Sahru Romdon, Fransiscus Roedy Hartono, Sri Murtiati, Forita Dyah Arianti, Wahyudi Hariyanto, Renie Oelviani · Journal of Resilient Economies (ISSN 2653-1917) · Global
This paper studied the benefits of urban farming as a resilient strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, using primary data from interviews conducted in June-July 2021 and secondary sources. The analysis found that respondents had a strongly positive perception of urban farming. It concluded that urban farming could be a resilient strategy by reducing stress, increasing community income, and potentially enhancing immunity and health systems in urban areas.
CommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyFood Insecurity, Food Sourcing and Food Coping Strategies in the OOO Urban Corridor, Namibia
2022Ndeyapo Nickanor, Lawrence N. Kazembe, Jonathan Crush · · Namibia
A household survey of 853 households in Namibia's Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa (OOO) urban corridor found 77% household food insecurity and a mean dietary diversity of less than 5. The most common coping strategies were relying on less preferred and less expensive foods (67%) and rural-urban food transfers (55%). Urban agriculture was found to be very limited in this region.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsUrban–rural linkageAddressing Community Food Security Through Gardening: A Review
2022Felix Buabeng, Erasmus Kabu Aduteye · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Rural Development Studies · Global
This literature review examines the contributions and positive impacts of community and home gardens in addressing food insecurity and the overall well-being of household members. As many residents struggle with access to fresh produce and face food insecurity, community gardens can serve as a strategy to alleviate these challenges and help families reduce pandemic-related economic losses by supplementing their diets with nutritious foods. This paper also determines the types of gardening people practice and common crops grown.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsDifferent Perspectives Surrounding Urban Agriculture
2022Susan Anne Mansel Fitzgerald · · Cuba
This chapter reviews various perspectives on urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba, focusing on farm types, food access, and cultural expressions. It highlights that research also addresses the hierarchies and power struggles surrounding urban agriculture sites and their integration into land-management systems. The study advocates for understanding the rhythms of everyday life to deepen insights into these sites.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityEconomics