Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(19 / 363)
The potential use of behavioural bioassays as a first-tier approach for screening urban soil biodiversity: a pilot study
2026Lorenzo Federico, Valeria Tatangelo, Francesca Pittino, Claudia Russo, Emanuele Vegini, Sandra Citterio, Andrea Franzetti, Sara Villa · Urban Ecosystems · Europe
This pilot study investigated the use of behavioral bioassays as screening indicators for invertebrate and bacterial biodiversity in three urban soils in Europe. While model organisms' behavioral responses consistently aligned with reductions in invertebrate biodiversity, these changes did not emerge from microbial analysis. The findings support behavioral bioassays combined with faunal diversity assessments as a first-tier screening tool for urban soil health, but suggest further investigation is needed for links with microbial diversity.
BiodiversityClimate changeContribuição das experiências comunitárias de agricultura urbana para o Bem Viver na cidade do Rio de Janeiro
2026Mayara Grazielle Consentino Ferreira da Silva, Carlos José Saldanha Machado · Revista da ANPEGE · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
This study describes and analyzes three community urban agriculture experiences in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the theoretical perspective of "Bem Viver" (Good Living). Using bibliographic review, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews, the study concludes that collective political action, supported by urban agriculture, enables the creation of a new world based on mutual aid and harmony between humans and nature.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyThe Scientific Approach to Cultivating Scientific Attitudes in Early Childhood
2026Theresia Alviani Sum · ThufuLA Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Guru Raudhatul Athfal · Global
This qualitative case study, gathering data from educators at ten institutions over three months (January–March 2024), examined the implementation of the scientific approach in early childhood education under resource constraints. Findings indicate that while teachers have a conceptual grasp of the scientific approach, enactment is inconsistent, and institutions lack dedicated laboratories, leveraging natural settings like school gardens instead. Curricular goals are not consistently realized in practice, and budget and time limitations restrict experimentation and professional development.
Food educationCommunityUrban farming, poor households, and family food security: A study in metropolitan cities in Indonesia
2026Sugeng Harianto, Refti Handini Listyani, Dewien Nabielah Agustin, Rizky Trisna Putri, Ahmad Farhan Ridwan · Multidisciplinary Reviews · Indonesia (Surabaya)
A six-month mixed-methods study in Surabaya, Indonesia, involving 150 low-income households (75 urban farming, 75 non-farming), found that urban farming enhances dietary quality, stabilizes food availability, and reduces vulnerability during economic stress, while also strengthening neighborhood ties and improving mental well-being. However, its adoption is constrained by spatial limitations, financial barriers, inadequate technical knowledge, and sociocultural stigma, limiting participation among vulnerable groups.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareCommunityHealthBelo Horizonte’s Right-to-Food Model
2026Hoyoon Jung · The International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic Social and Cultural Context · Brazil (Belo Horizonte)
This study analyzes Belo Horizonte, Brazil's right-to-food model, which has reduced hunger and promoted social equity through integrated food policies like subsidized food programs and urban agriculture. Despite its successes, the model faces challenges in policy sustainability, financial constraints, and political continuity, and the study notes limitations including reliance on secondary data.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyHealthEconomicsDecolonizing the Narrative of Indigenous Food Sovereignty: A Scoping Review
2026Ines Sebai, G. Berron Cadenas, C. Furgal, A. Argumedo, T. Delormier · Current Developments in Nutrition · Global
This scoping review explores Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) as a decolonizing framework grounded in Indigenous cultural, spiritual, and ecological values. By synthesizing existing literature, the review identifies core IFS principles such as community governance, revitalization of traditional practices, and respectful environmental relationships. Examples like community gardens and traditional hunting illustrate how Indigenous communities adapt these principles to foster cultural renewal and sustainability. The findings emphasize the need for policy advocacy and support for Indigenous rights, including land restoration and protection of traditional knowledge.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityBiodiversityHeirloom & landraceCultivate: A Configurable AI Agent for Scaling Agricultural Extension Services in Ghana
2026Kelvin Kekeli Kobla Ahiakpor, David Ebo Adjepon‐Yamoah · DMPedia Lecture Notes in Computer Science & Engineering · Ghana
This paper presents Cultivate, an AgroAgent-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform designed to scale agricultural extension services in Ghana by allowing agronomists to deploy configurable AI agents. A pilot study with one agronomist and one farmer from Farmitecture, a Ghana-based urban farming startup, validated the system. The agronomist configured an agent in under ten minutes and estimated it could handle 50-60% of queries, while the farmer found responses specific and grounded. The pilot demonstrated the technical feasibility and positive reception of decentralized, agronomist-trained AI agents, noting limitations such as a small pilot sample and lack of WhatsApp integration.
Digital agricultureEconomicsPolicyA City Nourished by Its Suburbs
2026Gang Wang · Agricultural History · China (Shanghai)
This historical analysis of Shanghai's vegetable supply system examines the limitations of peri-urban agriculture. In the early 1950s, Shanghai relied on distant rural areas for vegetables, shifting to suburban production in 1958 after rural sources were cut off. Efforts to sustain this suburban-centric system faced challenges, and government attempts to phase out the planned economy in the 1980s had limited effect. By the early 1990s, the suburban-centric system was abandoned, leading to a return to nonlocal vegetable predominance.
Limited or null effectPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsDeterminants of Urban Farmers’ Acceptance of Faecal Sludge Compost in Urban Agriculture: Evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2026Isabela Thomas Mkude · TANZANIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the utilization of faecal sludge derived compost (FSDC) by urban farmers remains limited due to farmers' prejudice and hesitance. This study investigated factors influencing FSDC acceptance through a cross-sectional survey of 76 urban farmers. Results indicated that garden location in communal areas, income generation as the primary farming purpose, and accessibility of soil inputs were significantly associated with FSDC acceptance. Farmers' awareness and experience also played important roles.
Limited or null effectCompostOrganic cycleCommunityEconomicsMachine learning-based detection and classification of leaf diseases in rooftop gardens
2026Vidyashree K P, Udayabalan B, Shilpa M S, Madhusudhana R, Nandini S, Bhagyalakshmi R, Shivani T J · Journal of Integrated Science and Technology · Global
This research proposed a plant species recognition system based on deep learning technology to guide plant selection and management in rooftop gardening and urban agriculture. The system comprises four steps: image acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. The model was trained on a dataset of 80,000 images of 14 plant species, utilizing transfer learning on a ResNet9 architecture. The model achieved a score of approximately 92 out of 100.
Digital agricultureDIYAdvancing Resilient Biodiversity through Outreach, Repair, Education, Teamwork, Unity and Mentorship
2026Isaiah Sawyer, Reginald Andre, Yotam Shanun, Brendan Casal · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research · United States
This project, in partnership with the UCF Arboretum in the United States, involved activities such as clearing invasive vines, weeding and remulching beds in a community garden, and documenting local biodiversity across campus areas. Participants documented their service work through a culture audit to analyze the project's impact and leadership strategies. These activities contributed to building leadership skills, analytical tools, and a deeper sense of ownership over the campus's natural beauty.
CommunityBiodiversityFood educationAdvancing Sustainable Food Systems Through Urban Agriculture: Enhancing Food Security in Indonesia’s METR OPOLITAN Areas
2026Eri Yusnita Arvianti · Journal of Intelligent Decision Making and Information Science · Indonesia
This study in Indonesia's metropolitan areas examines key determinants influencing the success of urban farming in enhancing local food availability. Using direct surveys, interviews, and statistical analyses, the research reveals that urban agriculture significantly improves access to nutritious, affordable food and promotes socio-economic benefits. Key variables for sustainable implementation include age, education, innovation in human resources, agricultural technology, and community empowerment.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityDigital agricultureCultivar saberes na EJA: uma revisão sistemática sobre educação, trabalho e sustentabilidade
2026Manoel Hélio Sousa Santos, Bruno Matos de Farias · RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber · Global
This systematic qualitative literature review, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, analyzed 20 documents to understand how recent academic production articulates education, work, and sustainability within Youth and Adult Education (EJA), focusing on school gardens. The literature recognizes gardens as a social technology that integrates ecological knowledge, cooperative practices, autonomy-building, and income generation, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable contexts. Gardens are concluded to be a powerful pedagogical device for EJA, contributing to critical environmental education, popular economy, and emancipatory practices.
Food educationWelfareCommunityEconomicsShifting to urban agriculture? Exploration of Malaysian adoption of hydroponic
2026Lovina Yogarajan, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Abdullah Al Mamun, Mohd Helmi Ali · Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies · Malaysia
An online survey of 250 urban residents across various regions of Malaysia investigated factors influencing the adoption of hydroponic farming. Findings indicate that attitude, hydroponic compatibility, and perceived trust significantly influence adoption intentions, and intention strongly influences actual adoption. However, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence did not significantly impact adoption intentions.
Digital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsVertical farming as a resource nexus solution for sustainable agriculture
2026Jonas Sohn, Juliane Dziumla, Atiqah Fairuz Salleh, George Xydis · Sustainability Nexus Forum · Global
This study evaluated vertical farming (VF) through the resource nexus (RN) lens, emphasizing the interdependencies among energy, water, land, and materials. While VF offers advantages such as space efficiency, water conservation, and climate resilience, it was found to entail high energy demands, material dependencies, and economic feasibility challenges. An overview of these synergies and constraints helps identify mitigation strategies like circular water systems and hybrid renewable energy solutions.
Economic viabilityEconomicsClimate changePolicyUrban–rural linkageDegradation Interest Cultivation Grapes in the Village Boyaoge: Review Architectural In Context Agriculture Urban
2026Agrian Rizki Kuswanto, Zaenal Sirajuddin, Ahda Mulyati · Technium Social Sciences Journal · Indonesia
This study analyzed the degradation of interest in grape cultivation in Boyaoge Village, Indonesia, from the perspective of architecture and urban agriculture. Using field observations, interviews with local farmers, and spatial analysis, the findings indicated that the main causes were the shift in land use from agriculture to settlements, a lack of infrastructure support such as efficient irrigation systems and market accessibility, and non-agricultural-friendly spatial designs including limited green open spaces and limited use of agricultural technology. These factors contribute to the decline in grape cultivation interest.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageThe role of urban farming in enhancing food security in Malaysia: A systematic review
2026Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop, Zainal Abidin Mohamed · IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science · Malaysia
This systematic review analyzed 46 studies published between 2010 and 2025 to assess the role of urban farming in enhancing food security in Malaysia. Findings indicate that urban farming positively impacts food accessibility, availability, and affordability, while also promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic inclusion. However, challenges such as limited space, regulatory hurdles, and public awareness gaps hinder its widespread adoption.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityURBANE:One Health approaches to support agroecological transformation of peri-urban farming; Deliverable D8.3, Report on the co-creation of sustainable business models and initial results of their implementation
2026M.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0118-4484 Simataa, R.I.; id_orcid 0009-0004-4345-5467 Primus, H.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0447-5914 Romijn, Rianne Valkenburg, J.C.C.M.; id_orcid 0000-0003-1190-6417 Huijben · TU/e Research Portal · Benin
Deliverable D8.3 of the URBANE project designed a co-creation workshop methodology for agroecological business models with the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC) and Eindhoven University of Technology. This methodology was applied in a multi-actor workshop in Benin to co-design sustainable innovation System Business Models (SysBMs) for local agrifood contexts. The main outcome is a workshop design template, including instructive videos, documented in a facilitator's handbook.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityGardens as Immigrant Homelands
2026Pierrette Hondagneu‐Sotelo · Revue d’ethnoécologie · United States (Los Angeles)
This article examines urban community gardens and urban farms in Los Angeles as sites for the recreation and re-creation of homelands for Mexican and Central American immigrants. Based on ethnographic research conducted between 2010 and 2023 across several sites, the author demonstrates that these gardens function as hybrid spaces where everyday home-making practices unfold. Gardeners cultivate Mesoamerican plants, materially and symbolically reshaping urban space while forging bonds of attachment to place and community.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthWelfareSensing nature in the city: The role of sight and sound in restorative tropical urban green spaces
2026Juliana Ju Yun Hoo, Shumetha Kaur Sidhu, Tan Kok Wei · PLoS ONE · Malaysia
A study in Malaysia assessed the perceived restorativeness of tropical urban green spaces (UGSs) using 120 environmental stimuli and 87 participants. Nature and mixed urban-nature scenes were generally rated as more restorative than urban scenes. In the visual-only modality, mixed urban-nature scenes were perceived as more restorative than nature scenes, but no significant differences were found in audio-only and bimodal modalities.
HealthCommunityDigging in to urban soil health through a soil testing project with community gardeners
2026Eric Vukicevich · Urban Ecosystems · Global
This paper describes a class-based soil testing project where undergraduate students partner with local community gardeners to investigate urban soil health. The project involves students examining soil properties such as pH, organic matter, nutrients, and toxic elements, and ensuring crop safety. Students develop project plans, interpret data, and make recommendations for soil management.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEvaluación del bacterioma de distintos sustratos para establecer huertos urbanos
2026Larisa Alonso Moreno, Cristian Lizarazo-Ortega, Guadalupe Rodríguez Castillejos · Bioagro · Mexico
This study aimed to characterize the bacteriome of four different substrates used in urban gardens: peat, black soil (nursery), agricultural soil (northern Tamaulipas, Mexico), and a mix of agricultural soil with vermicompost and mycorrhizae. Genomic DNA was extracted and the 16S region amplified for analysis. The most prevalent phyla were actinobacteria, proteobacteria, and firmicutes, with dominant genera including Bacillus, Solirubrobacter, Rubrobacter, and Streptomyces, all linked to crop benefits.
CommunityOrganic cycleBiodiversityFrom innovation to integration: Plant and soil sciences for people and planet
2026Katie J. Field, Yolima Carrillo, Stuart A. Campbell, Jurriaan Ton, Adam Frew · Plants People Planet · Global
This special issue presents an innovative framework for sustainable land use, leveraging synergies between plants, soils, and societies to address global environmental crises and food insecurity. It notes that human activities, including land clearing for agriculture, rapid urban sprawl, and heavy use of chemical inputs, have pushed biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus beyond their safe operating limits. The collection of papers collectively emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in managing plant, soil, microbes, and human systems as interdependent components.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageWomen’s labor, care, and solidarity in municipally supported urban agriculture: the Kadifekale urban orchard case
2026Mesut YILDIZ · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Turkey (İzmir)
The Kadifekale Urban Orchard in İzmir, Turkey, was analyzed as a qualitative case study, showing that municipally supported urban agriculture functions as a relational public infrastructure reconfiguring women's labor, care responsibilities, solidarity networks, and public visibility. Based on one year of participant observation, in-depth interviews with 96 women, and focus group discussions, findings revealed women use the orchard to create space outside the home, build solidaristic ties, and increase public visibility. However, the case also revealed a persistent governance tension: municipal support is indispensable, yet women's influence over strategic decisions remains limited.
Equity & displacementCommunityWelfarePolicyEconomicsUrban Agriculture Policy and Governance: Identifying key challenges and strategic priorities in Valladolid, Flanders and Wrocław to inform a deep dive comparative analysis
2026Charlotte Gallagher, Daniel López-García, Parisi, Anton, Cuevas, Soledad · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Europe
An outcome report from strategic workshops in Valladolid, Flanders, and Wrocław, engaging 33 diverse local stakeholders, assessed key policy and governance challenges facing urban agriculture. The most urgent and actionable priority identified across all three regions is the lack of coordination and knowledge sharing, underscoring a critical need to build resilient urban agriculture coalitions. To address broader structural issues like land access, stakeholders emphasized bridging the urban-rural divide, overcoming political short-termism, and establishing a shared understanding of urban agriculture's multifunctionality.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkage