Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1006 results(19 / 41)
The Value of Urban Farming in Oslo, Norway: Community Gardens, Aquaponics and Vertical Farming
2022Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · International journal on food system dynamics · Norway (Oslo)
This study conducted a contingent valuation survey in Oslo, Norway, to assess citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for non-commercial (community gardens, educational gardens) and commercial (aquaponics, vertical farming) urban agriculture. The results indicate that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to support the further development of urban farming in the city.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsHealthClimate changeBiodiversityThe bee fauna associated with Pacific Northwest (USA) native plants for gardens
2022Aaron Anderson, Lucas Costner, Lincoln R. Best, Gail Langellotto · Conservation Science and Practice · United States
This study compared the attractiveness of 23 native Pacific Northwest plant species to bees over three field seasons, using timed bee counts and vacuum sampling. It found that Douglas' aster, California poppy, varileaf phacelia, Canada goldenrod, farewell-to-spring, globe gilia, and Oregon sunshine consistently supported high bee abundance and species richness. These findings can inform urban pollinator conservation efforts in gardens and public spaces.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityThe Role of Allotment Gardens for Connecting Nature and People
2022Petra Schneider, Tino Fauk · · Global
A study based on a literature review and field survey conducted from 2017 to 2020 in Ecuador, Germany, Sweden, Uganda, and Vietnam, examined the role of allotment gardens (AGs) in connecting nature and people. Allotment gardens provide substantial urban ecosystem services, contribute to habitat connectivity, and significantly impact human health. Beyond food production and recreation, they offer crucial benefits for public health, wellbeing, social inclusion, the environment, and serve as cultural archives, with their intrinsic purpose being connectivity for habitats, people, ecosystem services, and circular flux management.
CommunityBiodiversityHealthOrganic cycleEcological Prototypes for Green Construction
2022Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel · · Global
This work, "Ecological Prototypes for Green Construction - 1", focuses on linking architecture and ecological engineering. Its purpose is to achieve integrated urban, agricultural, and ecological land use.
Urban–rural linkageBiodiversityThe Search for a New Theory of Sustainable Architectural Design: Breathing Architecture
2022Tamer El Gabaly, Rasha Abd el-Lateef · Journal of Engineering Research - Egypt/Journal of Engineering Research · Global
This paper explores a new theory of sustainable architectural design, termed "Breathing Architecture," in the context of reducing fuel consumption and adapting to climate change. It uses a qualitative research methodology, including data collection, data analysis, theoretical analysis, and analytical case studies, integrating green technologies and sustainability. The aim is to develop a new architectural language based on dynamic relationships among materials, structures, and spatial ideas, with empirical application and study.
CommunityClimate changeBiodiversityNutrient and toxic elements in soils and plants across 10 urban community gardens: Comparing pXRF and ICP‐based soil measurements
2022Ainsley C. McStay, S.L. Walser, Eric C. Sirkovich, Nicolas Perdrial, Justin B. Richardson · Journal of Environmental Quality · United States
This study evaluated portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) measurements of macronutrients, micronutrients, and toxic elements (As, Pb) in soils and plants from 10 urban community gardens across the eastern United States. It found that pXRF and traditional methods provided agreeable estimates for some elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb) but not for macronutrients (Ca, K, P). While pXRF is an accurate tool for screening Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb, macronutrients were poorly estimated in fruits, leaves, and roots, and genus-specific and garden-specific factors may be important for plant uptake models.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceAGRICULTURA URBANA E PERIFÉRICA: CAMINHOS PARA ESTIMULAR NOVAS ATITUDES E TRANSFORMAR REALIDADES
2022Ananere da Silva Crüz, Márcia Maria Rodrigues Sá, Tarcísio Dorn de Oliveira, Daniel Knebel Baggio, Nelson José Thesing, Sandra Beatriz Vicenci Fernandes · Revista GESTO Revista de Gestão Estratégica de Organizações · Global
This literature review highlights the importance of urban and peri-urban agriculture (AUPs) for food security, household economy, and biodiversity. It concludes that AUPs contribute to job creation, alternative income, supplying small markets, valuing local cultures, community empowerment, and expanding gender participation opportunities. AUPs also improve climate and biodiversity, enhance urban productivity, foster cooperation among residents, reduce temperatures, improve air quality, preserve natural resources, and mitigate food scarcity.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsBiodiversityCommunityMetagenomics: A Tool for Exploring Key Microbiome With the Potentials for Improving Sustainable Agriculture
2022Blessing Chidinma Nwachukwu, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This review explores metagenomic techniques for studying plant root-associated microbiota and microbial ecology, highlighting their role in understanding and improving crop yields in rural and urban agriculture. Metagenomics, a non-culture approach, enables the identification of unculturable microorganisms and their functional traits. A detailed understanding of these organisms and their interactions can facilitate improved plant growth and sustainable crop production.
Organic cycleBiodiversityDigital agricultureOn-Farm Spatial Composition, Management Practices and Estimated Productivity of Urban Farms in the San Francisco Bay Area
2022Joshua Arnold · Processes · United States (California)
A survey of 29 urban farms in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2014 to 2017 examined on-farm spatial composition, management practices, and estimated productivity. Findings showed a large proportion of farm area dedicated to infrastructure and underutilized potential production space. All surveyed farms adopted diverse agroecological practices, and measured farms were productive with estimated seasonal yields of 7.14 kg/square meter, comparable to actual yields at two farms.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityBiodiversityA review of diversity of bees, the attractiveness of host plants and the effects of landscape variables on bees in urban gardens
2022Ehsan Rahimi, Shahindokht Barghjelveh, Pinliang Dong · Agriculture & Food Security · Global
This study reviewed 87 articles on the presence of bees in urban gardens and urban farms, summarizing bee diversity, host plant attractiveness, and the effects of landscape variables. Urban environments, especially urban gardens, contained a high diversity of bees, with honeybees and bumblebees being the most dominant species. Native plants were more attractive to bees than non-native plants, and while urbanization negatively impacted bee presence, the presence of green spaces or other farms and gardens positively affected pollinators.
BiodiversityPollinatorsUrban–rural linkageProspects for Rooftop Farming System Dynamics: An Action to Stimulate Water-Energy-Food Nexus Synergies toward Green Cities of Tomorrow
2021Cheng C., Aviso K.B., Tan R.R., Aviso K. · Sustainability (MDPI), 13(16):9042 · Asia
A study developing a system-dynamics model of a rooftop farm in Taipei City to analyze the socio-environmental benefits of rooftop agriculture (improved food access, community ties, energy savings, reduced flood risk). It frames rooftop farming as a practical solution for strengthening water-energy-food nexus synergies in greener cities.
Organic cycleCommunityPolicyBiodiversityEnvironmental and Social Dynamics of Urban Rooftop Agriculture (URTA) and Their Impacts on Microclimate Change
2021Begum M.S., Bala S.K., Islam A.K.M.S., Roy D. · Sustainability (MDPI), 13(16):9053 · Asia
Compares an experimental agricultural rooftop with bare roofs, measuring microclimate parameters including air, surface, and indoor temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide. It shows that rooftop agriculture can mitigate urban microclimate change and supply fresh vegetables while delivering environmental and socioeconomic benefits to city dwellers.
BiodiversityCommunityOrganic cycleEconomicsEdible City—A New Approach for Upscaling Local Food Supply? The Case of Andernach, Germany
2021Artmann M., Sartison K. · Making Green Cities: Concepts, Challenges and Practice (Springer, Cities and Nature series), 173-194 · Global
A case study analyzing the 'Edible City' of Andernach, Germany, as a multifunctional productive green space where citizens can harvest freely in public areas. Drawing on interviews with key initiators, it shows that the project generates multifunctional social, ecological and economic benefits addressing urban challenges such as food security, biodiversity and social cohesion, and examines its potential for upscaling local food supply.
CommunityFood educationWelfareEconomicsBiodiversityNeglected and Underutilized Plant Species (NUS) from the Apulia Region Worthy of Being Rescued and Re-Included in Daily Diet
2021Scarano A., Semeraro T., Chieppa M., Santino A. · Horticulturae · Italy
Review of neglected and underutilized plant species from the Apulia region of southern Italy, highlighting their adaptive, nutritional, and economic potential and the case for re-including them in the daily diet.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityHealthEconomicsVolatile and Sensory Characterization of La Mancha Trujillo Melons over Three Consecutive Harvests
2021Ferrer Valverde M.A., Sánchez-Palomo E., Osorio Alises M., Chaya Romero C., González-Viñas M.A. · Foods 10(8):1683 · Spain
Characterized the traditional Trujillo melon from La Mancha, Spain, over three harvests, identifying 55 volatile compounds. Sensory profile featured jam, cucumber, sweet, and honey aromas, documenting quality of a regional heirloom melon.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityVariation for Composition and Quality in a Collection of the Resilient Mediterranean 'de penjar' Long Shelf-Life Tomato Under High and Low N Fertilization Levels
2021Rosa-Martínez E., Adalid A.M., Alvarado L.E., Burguet R., García-Martínez M.D., Pereira-Dias L., Casanova C., Soler E., Figàs M.R., Plazas M., Prohens J., Soler S. · Frontiers in Plant Science 12:633957 · Spain
Evaluated 44 Mediterranean 'de penjar' long shelf-life tomato varieties under two nitrogen levels. Local varieties exceeded commercial ones in sweetness-to-acidity ratio and vitamin C, with lycopene varying over four-fold, supporting low-input breeding.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityHealthBioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Valencian Pepper Landraces
2021Martínez-Ispizua E., Martínez-Cuenca M.-R., Marsal J.I., Díez M.J., Soler S., Valcárcel J.V., Calatayud Á. · Molecules 26(4):1031 · Spain
Evaluated bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of Valencian pepper landraces relative to commercial types. Landraces displayed rich diversity in nutritional and functional compounds, reinforcing the value of regional Capsicum genetic resources.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityHealthIn situ conservation of traditional vegetable diversity in Wa homegardens in southwestern Yunnan, China
2021Shao H., Hill R., Xue D., Yang J. · Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 17: Article 56 · China
Documents how Wa ethnic homegardens in Yunnan harbor traditional vegetable germplasm diversity through local culture, traditional knowledge, and seed conservation and sharing systems that maintain in situ agrobiodiversity.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityConservation and Use of Latin American Maize Diversity: Pillar of Nutrition Security and Cultural Heritage of Humanity
2021Guzzon F., Arandia Rios L.W., Caviedes Cepeda G.M., Céspedes Polo M., Chavez Cabrera A., Muriel Figueroa J., Medina Hoyos A.E., Jara Calvo T.W., Molnar T.L., Narro León L.A. · Agronomy 11(1):172 · Latin America
Reviews the fundamental role of Latin American maize landraces for food security, livelihoods and culture, the threat of genetic erosion, and the current state of their conservation and use.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityHealthCommunity秋田県における在来ナス品種の遺伝的類縁関係および導入経路
2021中川 睦司, 高橋 秀和, 上田 健治, 渡辺 明夫, 赤木 宏守, 櫻井 健二 · 園芸学研究（Hort. Res. (Japan)）, 20(4): 379-385 · Japan
Using SSR markers on four Akita native eggplant varieties and 46 domestic landraces, phylogenetic and population structure analyses inferred the genetic relationships and likely introduction routes of traditional Akita eggplant cultivars.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityThe Greenery of Early Modernist Housing Estates: The 1919–1927 Wałbrzych Agglomeration
2021Ludwig B. · Sustainability (MDPI) · Germany
Analyzes the significance of green-space design in early modernist housing estates (1919–1927) in then-German Lower Silesia, addressing urban layout, public/private greenery systems including gardens, and protection of valued trees from natural, landscape, and social perspectives.
BiodiversityCommunityHealthEnvironmental impacts and resource use of urban agriculture: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2021Dorr, E., Goldstein, B., Horvath, A., Aubry, C., Gabrielle, B. · Environmental Research Letters 16, 093002 · Global
A systematic review and meta-analysis (53 studies) of urban agriculture's environmental impacts and resource use, quantitatively showing that effects vary widely by farm form, scale and technology, and evaluating life-cycle assessment against rural farming.
BiodiversityUrban agriculture — A necessary pathway towards urban resilience and global sustainability?
2021Langemeyer J., Madrid-López C., Mendoza Beltran A., Villalba Méndez G. · Landscape and Urban Planning 210, 104055 · Global
Critically examines whether urban agriculture is a 'necessary pathway' to urban resilience and global sustainability, evaluating its contributions and limits across five dimensions: food, water, energy, ecosystem services and social integration.
BiodiversityUrbanization level and its effect on the structure and function of homegarden (pekarangan) vegetation in West Java, Indonesia
2021Ali M.S., Arifin H.S., Nurhayati N. · Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity · Indonesia (West Java)
This study finds that increasing urbanisation across West Java significantly reduces the area, species diversity, and ecological functions of traditional pekarangan homegardens, threatening both biodiversity and the cultural practice of subsistence home gardening. Sites across Bogor District, Bogor City, and Cianjur District were compared along an urban–rural gradient.
BiodiversityCommunityHeirloom & landraceHigh honeybee abundances reduce wild bee abundances on flowers in the city of Munich
2021Renner S., Graf M., Hentschel Z., Krause H., Fleischmann A. · Oecologia · Germany (Munich)
Observed flower visitation on 29 plant species in a large Munich urban garden, finding that higher honeybee densities correlated with a significant shift from wild-bee to honeybee visits.
PollinatorsBiodiversity