Research & reports

S. S. Horowitz, Liu JuanJuan Liu JuanJuan · CABI eBooks · China (Wuhan)

This chapter, focusing on a case study of intra-urban agriculture in Wuhan, China, mapped the dynamic relations between actors, institutions, processes, and spaces. Theoretical and practical challenges to growing food within Chinese cities were identified, and ways for state and non-state actors to collaborate in reassembling intra-urban agriculture to maximize its social, ecological, and economic contributions were suggested.

Muhammad Nuri Shobry · Kebijakan dan Manajemen Publik · Indonesia

Using George C. Edward III's policy implementation model combined with the Van Horn and Van Meter framework — communication, resources, disposition, bureaucratic structure, and socio-political-economic support as the five variables — this qualitative descriptive study with purposively sampled informants analyzed implementation of the urban farming program by the agricultural, fishery, and forestry extension agency in Gresik Regency, Indonesia. It found that implementation of the urban farming policy by the Gresik extension agency was not going well and fell short of the maximum, with the stages of implementation not proceeding smoothly and the communication, resources, and target-group support variables in particular found to be poorly organized and ineffective.

Tong-Yu Li, Ziyi Wang, Xueshan Bai, Yue Wang · DEStech Transactions on Environment Energy and Earth Science · China

A review tracing the origin and evolution of urban agriculture as a new industry closely tied to the city, summarizing the main problems in contemporary urban agricultural development in China. Building on urban agriculture development experience under urbanization, it proposes a new development pattern for Chinese cities.

Tarina Levin · · China

A master's thesis assessing urban agriculture (UA) in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, and its place in the city's green infrastructure, using literature studies, map studies, site visits, interviews, and field observations. It situates the study against China's ongoing urbanization, in which agricultural land is converted for real estate development, deepening dependency on imported agricultural products, alongside a cultural shift from the older agricultural society toward Western ideals — exemplified by the adoption of short-cut monocultural grass lawns using species unfamiliar to the Chinese climate, which the thesis states causes negative environmental effects. It also finds numerous examples across China, including on former lawn sites, where agriculture is practiced in urban environments, and analyzes UA's effects and potential in Xi'an to propose design principles for environmentally and culturally beneficial UA practice for food production. UA is concluded to have many potential benefits beyond being a food source — including community-building properties, enrichment of urban biodiversity, and the potential to reconnect with China's agricultural roots — but these benefits are stated not to be absolute: UA can also be a source of conflict as well as a source of environmental pollution and contaminated food. The thesis notes many uncertainties remain around the subject, and that because UA is often neglected in governmental planning processes, these issues can be difficult to address.

Lijie He, Zhiguo Fang · Urban Planning International · China

Identifying green residential communities and urban agriculture as important approaches to addressing environmental and food-safety problems that have long been researched and practiced separately without intersection, this paper (2017, China) argues that integrating urban agriculture into green residential communities could help transform cities from a consumption pattern toward a production pattern. Based on behavioral characteristics and spatial demands spanning food production, food consumption, and food recycling/reuse, it examines a strategy system of space, technology, and management for integrating urban agriculture into green residential communities, proposing new ideas for China's green residential community and urban agriculture development.

Jin-Wook Lee, Jong-Sang Sung · Sustainability · South Korea

As part of a South Korean urban policy to revive shrinking cities by demolishing vacant residential structures and converting the resulting plots into public space, this case study examined the process, stakeholders and sources of conflict in the Daebong 2 neighborhood of Daegu, using purposive-sampling interviews with municipal authority staff, NPO members and residents, analysed through open coding. It found conflict between users and non-users over possession of public goods, conflict among project executives during the creation process, and conflict rooted in the spatial and policy characteristics specific to dense, historic residential areas. Overcoming this rivalry and discord was said to require a shift in perspective among policy practitioners, a public/private/community governance structure, consensus among residents, and welfare programs grounded in inclusivity and public interest.

Kadarso Kadarso, Rini Raharti · Jurnal Pertanian Agros · Indonesia

This study, aiming to identify promising urban farming commodities and develop agricultural production toward food self-sufficiency in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, used a combined qualitative and quantitative approach with Location Quotient, Dynamic Location Quotient, and SWOT analysis. Mergangsan, Ngampilan, Tegalrejo, Kotagede, Mantrijeron, Gondokusuman, Wirobrajan, Pakualaman, Umbulharjo and Kraton were identified as economic-base areas, while Gedongtengen, Gondomanan, Danurejan and Jetis were non-base areas. Mergangsan, Ngampilan, Kotagede, Danurejan, Gondokusuman and Jetis showed faster development potential, while Gedong Tengen, Gondomanan, Tegalrejo, Pakualaman, Mantrijeron, Wirobrajan, Umbulharjo and Kraton showed slower development potential. Based on the SWOT analysis, the study proposed strategies including leveraging economic-base strengths and strengthening agricultural extension officers (S-O), promoting farming and improving farm management (W-O), improving infrastructure quality and marketing efficiency (S-T), and expanding market share while noting the constraint that other non-agricultural businesses are more promising (W-T).

Zhenshan Yang, Pu Hao, Weidong Liu, Jianming Cai · Habitat International · China (Beijing)

A study in peri-urban Beijing, China, investigated recent agricultural development practices to explore approaches to agricultural transformation during rapid urbanization. The investigation found that high-tech precision agriculture, downstream processing, and agro-tourism have emerged as major forms of peri-urban agriculture in Beijing. These peri-urban agricultural developments were identified as economically appealing, socially inclusive, and environmentally friendly.

Sostenis Sampeliling, Santun R.P. Sitorus, Siti Nurisyah, Bambang Pramudya · Analisis Kebijakan Pertanian · Indonesia (DKI Jakarta)

This study analyzed key factors influencing the sustainability and policy development of urban agriculture in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia, using MDS and Rap-Ur-Agri methods. The analysis found that the existing sustainability status of urban agriculture development had an index value of 48.70%, indicating it was less than sustainable. Key factors for sustainable urban agriculture include yard area, eco-friendly commodity and technology development, agricultural extension and institutions, expansion of farming land/space, stakeholder cooperation, and agricultural incentives.

Gyun-Gi Bae, Donghun Shin · 산업경제연구 · South Korea

This study explored farmer income creation in urban agriculture through farmer participation and community activation, focusing on a community garden in Jeonju, South Korea. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors: community, farmer participation, facilities/environment, and operation/management. Regression analysis showed all factors positively influenced user satisfaction, with farmer participation and community having the strongest effects. For farmer income generation through produce sales and increased plot fees, sufficient facilities and environmental conditions were concluded to be necessary.

雷靖, 陈斯钰, 刘煜 · 农村经济与科技 · China (Zhoushan)

This study examines Zhoushan City's "Vegetable Basket" project, which established production bases in urban and rural areas to ensure vegetable supply and stabilize prices. Despite significant achievements, the project is noted to have problems such as incomplete vegetable supply varieties, imperfect infrastructure, low industrialization, and a lack of quality assurance. The study suggests addressing these issues by diversifying product supply, strengthening infrastructure, improving industrialization, and enhancing quality and safety supervision.

楚杰 · 武汉宣传 · China (Wuhan)

Wuhan City promoted the development of modern urban agriculture to solve the four major challenges of "Sannong" issues (funding, human resources, land, and public sentiment). By the end of 2015, the city's total agricultural output value and agricultural added value reached 62.028 billion yuan and 37.004 billion yuan respectively, doubling since 2010. The disposable income of rural permanent residents was 17,722 yuan.

A. Husni Malian, Masdjidin Siregar · Forum penelitian Agro Ekonomi · Indonesia

This paper discusses the dwindling role of peri-urban agriculture in Indonesia due to urban development policies favoring manufacturing and service sectors. The economic crisis and policy changes had different effects on farmers of leafy vegetables, orchids, and ornamental plants. Increased fertilizer prices and wage rates, coupled with decreased demand for orchids and ornamental plants in 1999, reduced farmers' income. Conversely, increased demand for leafy vegetables led to more intensive land use, neglecting health and environmental concerns.

丁少华 · 杭州农业与科技 · China (Hangzhou)

In recent years, the input structure of agricultural production factors has significantly changed due to market conditions and agricultural labor shifts. Yuhang District has focused on modern agricultural park construction as a key platform for developing modern urban agriculture, continuously strengthening intensive investment in capital and land. Currently, the district has successfully established one provincial-level modern agricultural comprehensive zone and five leading industry demonstration zones.

Rusida Rusida · Plano Madani : Jurnal Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota · Indonesia (Belopa)

A study in the urban area of Belopa, Indonesia, assessed the potential for urban agriculture, identifying suitable land for various crop types and key commodities. However, the research found that extensive housing development, particularly on the outskirts, and limited land availability mean not all land can be developed for urban agriculture. Urban agriculture supports food security, and public and government perceptions influence future land plans.

Youjin Jang, 곽혜란 · 한국실과교육학회지 · South Korea

This study analyzed the agricultural content of the 2015 revised elementary practical arts curriculum in South Korea, comparing it with the 2009 curriculum, focusing on goals, content systems, achievement standards, and learning elements in the agriculture and life science domain. It found that while learning elements in the agricultural domain did not significantly change, the 2015 curriculum emphasized sustainable agriculture, particularly eco-friendly future agriculture and agricultural experiences in daily life, centered on the core concept of sustainability. The study suggests that future agricultural education should incorporate multi-dimensional sustainable agriculture, such as urban agriculture, local food, and eco-friendly agricultural certification, into new textbooks.

Natalie Hall · · China

This ethnographic research, based on two months of fieldwork in Beijing and Shanghai, investigated alternative food networks in China, including organic farms, farmers' markets, and garden plot rentals. The study argues that these networks exhibit complex and contradictory characteristics, not neatly aligning with either alternative or conventional food systems. The practice of alternativeness is presented as a pragmatic response to food safety uncertainty and declining social trust, rather than an escape from capitalism or a purely transformative agenda.

Jae-Youl Lee · 대한지리학회지 · South Korea (Seoul)

This article examines the concept of 'community' in Seoul's community garden program, comparing how ordinary citizens and civil society activists interpret and practice it. Empirical findings suggest a contestation over community, with ordinary citizens prioritizing place-based experiences and activists viewing community gardens as a governmental technology. A gap between ordinary practical achievements and civic activism poses a potential danger to urban community policy.

Ning Wang, Fang Liu, WANG, Ning, LIU, Fang · · China (Kunming)

This study analyzed the current situation and difficulties of the urban farming industry in Kunming City, China, based on an empirical study. It explored development ideas for the urban farming industry and provided recommendations concerning institutional innovation, overall planning, property right reform, infrastructure construction, and talent team cultivation.

Masdjidin Siregar · Jurnal Agro Ekonomi · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This paper describes intensive peri-urban leafy vegetable agriculture in Jakarta, which utilizes idle land and provides employment and income for rural migrants. However, the prospect of this agriculture is unclear because it uses non-agricultural land that will eventually be developed. The study concludes that government assistance in credit, extension, and research is needed, and alternative lands for cultivators must be found.

Christopher Schliephake · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · South Korea

This essay examines contemporary urbanism's re-negotiation of nature's place in cities, presenting bottom-up and top-down urban agriculture models as alternative approaches to re-embed urban systems in natural cycles. It discusses socio-historical changes in urban landscapes since industrialization and analyzes the cultural urban ecology in South Korean director Hae-jun Lee’s 2009 film "Cast Away on the Moon." The film imaginatively explores these issues, prompting a re-consideration of urban lifestyles and the regenerative potential of working with soil.

戴婧, 丁国平 · Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni · China

The development status of "Sanpin Yibiao" agricultural products, a government-led public brand for safe and high-quality agricultural products, was evaluated in Dongxihu District. While certain achievements were noted, challenges and recommendations were identified, including comprehensive planning, strengthening team building, improving management, increasing policy support, enhancing supervision, and strengthening brand building. These measures were deemed important for promoting the development of modern urban agriculture.

Jae-Min Park, Jung-Kwon Choi, Eun-Yeong Park · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea (Seongnam-si)

This study examined urban gardening in Sujin 2-dong, Seongnam-si, South Korea, through on-site inspections and interviews, to find solutions for sustainable urban regeneration. It found that vertical gardens are prevalent due to limited space, with rooftop gardens primarily for production and stair gardens for aesthetic purposes. The study identified six garden locations and noted differences between detached and multi-household houses.

Sui Fei-fe · Nongye ziyuan yu huanjing xuebao · China (Weifang)

This study analyzed the driving forces and internal drive mechanisms of urban agricultural development in Weifang County, China. An evaluation index system was built using urban agricultural production and socio-economic data, and 15 driving forces were selected via correlation and principal component analysis, with a model constructed using partial least squares. Results showed that per capita net income of rural residents, agricultural machinery total power, effective irrigation area, and centralized treatment rate of urban sewage greatly influenced urban agricultural output value increase, while the use amount of agricultural plastic film was a negative influence factor.

Renny Ratna Dewi, ‪Eko Budi Santoso‬ · Jurnal Teknik ITS · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Made Village, Surabaya, Indonesia, traditional farming on 211.85 hectares yields 6000 tons of crops annually, but its reliance on developers' idle land makes it unsustainable due to land conversion. A study using Delphi analysis and content analysis concluded that urban farming activities in Made Village still face several technical and non-technical problems. Future agricultural activities will shift towards modern farming systems aiming for maximum and high-quality production on limited land, with polybag cultivation methods to be developed to address land scarcity.