Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Plastic debris facilitates the survival of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in an urban agricultural environment
2026Michael J. Ormsby, Luke Woodford, James Joseph Mwesiga, Winnie Ernest, Dativa J. Shilla, Daniel Abel Shilla, Richard S. Quilliam · Environmental Pollution · Africa
This study investigated plastic debris as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant (MDR) enteric bacterial pathogens at two peri-urban agricultural sites in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Analysis of 140 environmental samples (soil, water, vegetation, plastic debris) showed higher concentrations of culturable pathogens on plastic debris, with presumptive E. coli loads of ~1 × 10^3 CFU per piece. Plastic debris harbored a greater proportion of MDR strains, including E. coli and K. pneumoniae resistant to critically important antimicrobials, indicating that plastic waste facilitates the survival of MDR pathogens and poses health risks.
Contamination & food safetyHealthFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureWomen in urban and peri-agriculture: sustaining livelihoods in the Cape metropolitan area
2026Human Sciences Research Council · Human Science Research Council SA · South Africa
This article explores how urban women participate in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA), the constraints they face, and the policy support they need, using evidence from a sample of farming projects around the Cape Metropolitan Area. Urban women farmers primarily access land through social networking and work collectively. Almost all projects engage in in-kind donations to schools and HIV/AIDS patients, with women-only projects distributing 25% of their output as social responsibility.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsPolicyPeri-urban agricultureIntegrating Spatial Data and Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Resilient Urban Planning: Lessons from South Africa
2026Thembani Moyo, Vuyiswa Letsoko, Mhlalisi Gavu Mndzebele, Siphiwe Mbatha, Nonpumelelo Mzobe, Trynos Gumbo · · South Africa (Johannesburg)
In Johannesburg's marginalized settlements, limited infrastructure resources negatively impact household livelihoods, necessitating the development of planning support systems. Urban agriculture has emerged as a critical approach to enhancing food security and economic empowerment, and this study employed a mixed-method approach combining indigenous knowledge systems with spatial data to assess land suitability. The findings presented a land suitability index demonstrating how integrating GIS and citizen science strengthens urban resilience through adaptive land use, improved local food systems, and climate change mitigation.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyClimate changeAdaptive livelihood strategies of evicted peri-urban farmers in the newly metropolitan city of Ethiopia
2026Abie Assres Fenta, Habtie Anmaw · Discover Sustainability · Ethiopia (Debre Markos)
This qualitative study explored the adaptive livelihood strategies of evicted peri-urban farmers around the metropolis of Debre Markos, Ethiopia. Findings confirmed that farmers tend to hand over their land with insufficient compensation and are compelled to adapt to new livelihoods after losing farmlands. Many displaced young farmers experienced bankruptcy in new businesses due to a lack of business skills, and aged displaced farmers faced challenges adapting to new ways of life. The government did not provide adequate attention to training evicted farmers in technical, financial, and business planning.
Equity & displacementPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicyRemote sensing of urban heat dynamics and the cooling effect of urban green spaces in Ethiopian cities
2026Desalew Meseret Moges, Kristoffer Mattisson, Ebba Malmqvist, P Olsson · Environmental Challenges · Ethiopia
A study using satellite data from 2021–2024 examined urban heat and urban green space (UGS) patterns during the hot season across four Ethiopian cities. It found that UGS expanded in all cities, mainly along urban edges, and offered strong but spatially uneven cooling benefits. Daytime surface temperatures decreased, but nighttime temperatures showed mixed results, and dense central areas remained exposed to heat.
Limited or null effectClimate changeIntegrating Biophilic Design and Productive Green Infrastructure as Urban Renewal Strategy for Mixed Use Development in Lagos Island
2026F. I. Alagbe, B. J. Adewumi, Mathew Dayomi, O. A. Ibitoye · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Nigeria (Lagos)
This study investigated the integration of biophilic design and productive green infrastructure (PGI) in mixed-use developments on Lagos Island, Nigeria, as an urban renewal strategy. Data from 303 architects, urban planners, and real estate developers revealed that while ecological regeneration opportunities exist, the area faces limitations from high density and inadequate infrastructure. Respondents showed moderate to high awareness of biophilic principles, and PGI incorporation was linked to perceived gains in social interaction, biodiversity, and economic value.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyPeri-urban agricultureThe various face(t)s of urban agriculture: evidence from secondary towns in Ethiopia
2026Amare Molla Dinku, Goedele Van den Broeck · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia
This qualitative study explored the technical, institutional, and commercial aspects of urban agriculture (UA) in two Ethiopian secondary towns, Dessie and Kombolcha, through 68 key informant interviews and 11 focus group discussions. It found that nearly 90% of local leafy vegetables are sourced via UA, but insecure land rights, limited policy support, and informal trading systems hinder its impact. Informal markets also cause post-harvest losses, disproportionately affecting women.
Governance failureCommunityPeri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsURBANE: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 & justiceCommunityCowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) landraces in Mozambique and neighbouring Southern African countries harbour genetic loci with potential for climate adaptation
2025Macharia M.W., Caproni L., Solemanegy M., Takele R., Chiulele R.M., Munisse P., Amane M., Pè M.E., Buizza R., Dell'Acqua M. · Communications Biology 8:834 · Africa
Genotypes 389 cowpea accessions (mostly landraces) from Southern Africa and identifies 36 genomic loci linked to local climate adaptation, highlighting the breeding value of farmer-conserved resources.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityHealthThe roles of urban agriculture to household food security: a case study in Kirkos sub-city, Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia
2025Alene F.D., Aga M.A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 9:1444320 · Ethiopia
This case study in Addis Ababa's Kirkos sub-city examines urban agriculture's role in household food security, finding 48.2% of respondents food secure and about a third reporting urban agriculture helped meet their daily food needs.
WelfareEconomicsVertical gardening undergirds household food security: evidence from Nairobi's Kibera informal settlements
2025Otieno J.A., Omia D.O., Amwata D.A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · East Africa (Kenya)
Evidence-based study demonstrating how vertical gardening (particularly sack farming) in Kibera's informal settlements underpins household food security. Shows how stacking soil-filled sacks vertically enables vegetable production in space-constrained environments, serving as a solution to chronic hunger.
CommunityFood educationFood lossOrganic cycleExploring compost production potential and its economic benefits and greenhouse gas mitigation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2025Shimelis G., Kim D., Yimer F., Tadesse M. · Science of The Total Environment · Africa (Ethiopia)
2025 study estimating compost production potential from municipal organic waste and human excreta in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with projections through 2050. Quantifies economic benefits (compost sales, fertilizer cost reduction), soil carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation. Demonstrates feasibility of organic waste-to-compost systems for urban agriculture in African cities.
CompostOrganic cycleFood educationPolicySprawling cities, shrinking farmland: urban expansion and smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
2025· Routledge Online · Sub-Saharan Africa
Analyzes impact of rapid urban sprawl on smallholder farmers and agricultural land in sub-Saharan Africa. Documents threats from agricultural-to-residential/commercial conversion, need for urban planning integration, and food security crisis.
PolicyFuture scenarios for urban agriculture and food security in sub-Saharan Africa: Modelling the urban land-food system in an agent-based approach
2025· ScienceDirect · Sub-Saharan Africa
Uses agent-based modeling to analyze future scenarios of urban land-food systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Examines potential for urban agriculture growth and effectiveness of policy interventions.
PolicySecuring the future of urban agriculture: Legislative reform and planning for sustainability in sub-Saharan African cities
2025· ScienceDirect · Sub-Saharan Africa
Examines legislative reform and urban planning integration needed to secure sustainable urban agriculture in sub-Saharan African cities. Notes only 3.62% of countries have implemented national urban policies with focus on urban farming integration.
PolicyThe potential for urban agriculture (UA) in Cape Town, South Africa: a suitability analysis
2025· International Journal of Urban Studies · South Africa
Analyzes potential sites for urban agriculture in Cape Town using multi-criteria decision analysis. Employs GIS analysis and composite evaluation criteria to identify suitable vacant land, rooftops, and community spaces. Proposes integration of food security with urban land use planning.
Beyond the blueprint: Rethinking governance and sustainability in Cape Town's community gardens
2025Kanosvamhira T. · Journal of Urban Affairs · Cape Town, South Africa
While external support from nonprofits and government agencies matters for garden survival, poorly managed support can undermine local ownership and autonomy. The case study shows how governance failures threaten the sustainability of community gardens.
PolicyCommunityTypology of peri‐urban farming in the southeastern fringe of Nairobi city: A spatial and socioeconomic approach
2025Ahogle et al. · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Kenya (Nairobi)
Typology of peri-urban farming in southeastern Nairobi. Analyzes production technologies: open field (24.9%), multi-storey gardens (16.4%), moist-bed gardens (11.9%). Institutional land is largest available (54.2%). Spatial and socioeconomic analysis reveals diversity and adaptability of urban-peri-urban systems.
CommunityEconomicsGreening African Cities for Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Urban Gardening's Role in Biodiversity and Socio-Economic Resilience
2025African Urban Gardening Research Network · National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI/PMC) · Sub-Saharan Africa
Systematic review of 47 peer-reviewed studies across sub-Saharan Africa (2000–2025) showing urban gardens support ecological functions including pollination, soil fertility, and microclimate regulation.
BiodiversityCommunityWelfareFood educationGreening African Cities: Urban Agriculture as a Climate Adaptation Strategy
2025Olawole, M., Green, J., Mwangi, E. · Springer Environmental Science & Technology · Africa
Review of 45 urban agriculture case studies across 12 African countries showing urban farming reduces urban heat island effects by 2-3°C and improves air quality while providing food security for 200+ million residents.
CommunityHeavy metal contamination in urban agriculture: evidence from Nairobi
2025Mike Murphy, Githenya Wachira, Cecilia Onyango, Vivian Hoffmann · Environmental Science and Pollution Research International · Kenya (Nairobi)
A study that randomly sampled leafy greens from farms across Nairobi, Kenya, and measured lead, cadmium and mercury. Mean concentrations were 0.68 ppm lead, 0.09 ppm cadmium and 0.11 ppm mercury; plots closer to roads had higher lead and plots near industrial sites had higher mercury. Leafy greens alone pushed 71% of adults and 69% of children above safe lead exposure limits, and 52% of adults above the mercury limit. Comparison greens sourced from outside Nairobi were similarly contaminated, so the authors do not treat contamination as unique to urban farming and instead call for systematic food surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.
HealthDeterminants of urban agriculture and green infrastructure integration in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia
2025Ermias Debie, Demsew Mengistie · Discover Sustainability · Ethiopia
This study investigated the determinants of Urban Agriculture (UA) and Green Infrastructure (GI) integration in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using binary and ordinal logistic regression models. Findings revealed that a lack of awareness and lower education levels, such as no formal and primary education, significantly hinder the integration of UA and GI practices. Conversely, larger residential spaces and household sizes positively influence integration levels, with each additional household member increasing the score by 0.236 units for consumption needs, and each unit increase in residential site size raising the score by 0.004 units due to space availability.
CommunityPolicyFood educationDo urban safety net programs affect the financial inclusion and food security of households, primarily women participating in urban agriculture? A triangulative exploration of Ethiopia
2025Kassa Moges Tareke · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This study examined the impact of conditional cash transfers (CTs) from a safety net program on financial inclusion, urban agriculture participation, and food security among 278 women beneficiaries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, since 2017. After receiving CTs, 94% of respondents owned bank accounts and participated in urban agriculture as an additional income source, improving access to savings, credit, mobile banking, financial advice, and farm incomes. However, 61.5% (171) of women households were food insecure, indicating that while the program moderately improved financial inclusion and slightly increased food-secured women, its overall contribution to food security remains inadequate.
WelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceArchitecture for Spatially Just Food System Planning with and for Urban Youth South Sudanese Refugees in Kenya
2025Katie Schofield, Jacqueline Fanta, William Kolong Pioth, Alissa Cook, Samuel Owuor, Cherie Enns · Youth · Kenya
This youth-led study, involving 40 South Sudanese urban refugees (aged 19-32) in Kenya, mapped food supply chains and identified barriers to procuring, growing, and selling food. Findings indicate that improving the quality of life and food security for refugee youth is complex. Without education and improved livelihoods, including urban agricultural opportunities, their health and wellbeing will continue to be negatively affected.
Equity & displacementWelfareFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEffect of Land Grabbing, Forced Evictions and Inadequate Compensation on Economic Capital and Food Security of the Displaced Pre-Urban Farmers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2025Kejela Gnamura, Michael Akwasi Antwi, Abenet Belete · Research of Economic and Financial Problems · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This mixed-methods study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, compared 446 households (223 displaced and 223 non-displaced) to investigate the effects of urbanization-induced displacement on economic capital and food security. Evicted households showed a 72.7% lower likelihood of achieving economic capital security and 93.4% reduced odds of maintaining food security compared to non-evicted households, indicating significant negative differences.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureEconomicsPolicy