Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
185 results(2 / 8)
Pilotstudie zu urbanem Gärtnern: Schadstoffgehalte in Nahrungspflanzen in Straßennähe/Pilot study on urban gardening: Pollutant levels in food plants near roads
2025Katja Hombrecher · Gefahrstoffe Reinhaltung der Luft · Germany
A pilot study in Germany investigated the impact of road traffic emissions on food plants grown near roads. Bioindicators like kale, chard, Lollo Rosso, and lettuce were exposed for four weeks at four roadside locations and compared to plants in a garden away from roads. While pollutant levels generally did not exceed background or EU maximum limits, significant traffic-related inputs of PAK 4, antimony, aluminum, chromium, and vanadium, and lesser inputs of copper, iron, and lead were detected compared to the control. The findings indicate a potential contamination risk for certain vegetable plants from road traffic.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkageNordplus project “Healing greenery” – Green care education for a changing environment
2025Kadri Maikov · Vytautas Magnus University · Europe
The Nordplus project "Healing greenery" has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration since 2018, bringing together international students and lecturers to design healing green spaces. Educational projects serve as a research foundation to raise awareness of environmental risks and the importance of green spaces for mental health, addressing the new generation's disconnect from nature. Participants in annual projects (2021-2024, 19-26 participants each year) highlighted environmental risks including insufficient green spaces and limited awareness of nature’s impact on health.
CommunityHealthFood educationCare About Well-Being in the Urban Habitat—Family Allotment Gardens in Warsaw
2025Maciej Lasocki, Kinga Zinowiec-Cieplik, Piotr Majewski, Maja Radziemska, Renata Giedych, Damian Derewońko, Maria Kaczorowska, Anna Szczeblewska, Marta Melon, B J Gawryszewska · Sustainability · Poland (Warsaw)
This study examined family allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland, as a means of enhancing urban living environments and promoting residents' well-being. The research employed a literature review, qualitative data analysis from individual in-depth and focus group interviews, and a matrix analysis. Findings identified well-being features associated with allotment gardens, including recreation, leisure, impact on physical and mental health, formation of social relationships, and self-production of healthy, affordable food. The results also emphasized the importance of accessibility and the acquisition of new competencies as primary contributions.
CommunityHealthWelfareBiophilic Architecture of the 21st Century as an Immersive Art: New Urban Atmospheres
2025Renata Jóźwik · Arts · Poland
This article analyzes how biophilic architecture employs immersive strategies to transform buildings into environments that support sensory, behavioral, and social practices. It analyzes projects such as the Rooftop Garden—Warsaw University Library, Musée du quai Branly, and apartment buildings Bosco Verticale, and proposes a Multi-criteria Method for Assessing Architectural Immersiveness (MMAAI). Findings indicate that the integration of nature, technology, and spatial narrative enables architecture to act as a mediator between humans and the environment, generating new qualities of spatial experience in the Anthropocene epoch.
BiodiversityHealthClimate changeThe Impact of Lifestyle on Individual’s Perception of Urban Agriculture
2025Simona Gavrilaş, Oana Brînzan, Radu Lucian Blaga, Maria Sinaci, Eugenia Țigan, Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb · Agriculture · Europe
This study investigated the correlations between perceived benefits of urban agriculture (socialization, recreation, and food waste avoidance) and education levels and financial situations among 648 inhabitants of western Romanian towns, using data collected via an online questionnaire. Analysis showed that a high level of education leads to increased belief in urban farming's contributions to improving residents' socialization and recreation. Income level also significantly shaped opinions regarding urban agriculture's contribution to increased recycling.
HealthEconomicsFood lossCommunityMotivations and barriers in Huddersfield’s community gardens: exploring experiential social capital and community resilience
2025Sara Mahdizadeh, Yun Gao · Local Environment · United Kingdom
This qualitative study, based on 16 semi-structured interviews, examined motivations and barriers to participation in community gardens in Huddersfield, UK. Key motivations included social interaction, mental well-being, and skill development. Reported barriers were declining volunteer numbers, physical workload, limited institutional support, and accessibility challenges.
Governance failureCommunityHealthPolicyWelfareAssessment and Monitoring of Local Climate Regulation in Cities by Green Infrastructure—A National Ecosystem Service Indicator for Germany
2024· Land · Germany
Presents a national ecosystem-service indicator for Germany to assess and monitor local climate regulation provided by urban green infrastructure.
BiodiversityPolicyHealthLarge scale study on PFASs levels in fruits, vegetables and soil from allotments and gardens contaminated by atmospheric deposition from a Dutch fluorochemical production plant
2024Pancras T., van Bentum E., de Pagter L., van Hoef M., Hoogenboom R., Berendsen B., van Leeuwen S. · Chemosphere · Netherlands
Fruits and vegetables from allotments contaminated by atmospheric deposition from a fluorochemical plant contained PFASs such as PFOA and GenX, with the highest levels downwind and in brassicas, leafy and root vegetables.
HealthFoundations of self-agency: development of a nano-therapeutic community
2024Adrian J Hayes, Tulane Chiarletti, Stephanie Hares, Sarah Devereux, Stephanie Upton, Daniel McNamara, Sally Brookes · Therapeutic Communities The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities · United Kingdom (South West of England)
This paper reports on the development and running of Foundations Group, a pilot 2-hour nano-therapeutic community (TC) intervention. Conducted within the NHS on City Farm premises in the South West of England for 18 months (2021–2022), the group comprised 11 members, one peer, and three staff. The authors reflected on the TC approach of democratic work, non-expert stance, and using support and challenge to enhance self-agency and belongingness, detailing the group's structure.
HealthCommunityWelfarePromoting active ageing: The positive impact of older people’s participation in Urban Gardens
2024N Fernández Salido, A Gallego Valadés, C Castells, Jordi Garcés Ferrer · European Journal of Public Health · Europe
The European U-GARDEN project evaluated the impact of urban gardens on promoting active aging through the participation of people over 65. Qualitative analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews revealed multiple benefits, including increased physical activity, psychosocial improvements such as higher personal satisfaction, reduced stress, enhanced self-esteem, and strengthened community connections. Participants also reported economic savings on food costs and increased food security.
ElderlyHealthCommunityCommunity gardens for inclusive urban planning in Padua (Italy): implementing a participatory spatial multicriteria decision-making analysis to explore the social meanings of urban agriculture
2024Daniele Codato, Denis Grego, Francesca Peroni · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Italy (Padua)
This study in Padua, Italy, used field surveys of key informants and spatial multicriteria decision-making analysis to identify suitable and inclusive areas for community gardens. The results prioritized neighborhoods for new community gardens based on distance, social, and combined indices, providing a methodology to support local policymakers in implementing community gardens.
CommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCultivating Publicness Through Urban Agriculture: Learning from Aarhus and Rotterdam
2024Melissa Anna Murphy, Pavel Grabalov · The Geojournal library · Europe
A study of urban agriculture initiatives in Aarhus, Denmark, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands, explored how municipalities facilitate urban agriculture and its performance in public spaces. It identified four public service trajectories: increasing access and animation, contributing to social services, producing and distributing food, and building communities. The study found that food production and social services may be little suited for urban spaces requiring high public access, although benefits can reach a broad public if localized and facilitated appropriately.
Limited or null effectCommunityPolicyHealthPollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens
2024Pénélope Duval, Edwige Martin, Laurent Vallon, Pierre Antonelli, Maxime Girard, Aymeric Signoret, Patricia Luis, Danis Abrouk, Laure Wiest, Aurélie Fildier, Christelle Bonnefoy, Patrick Jame, Erik Bonjour, Amélie Cantarel, Jonathan Gervaix, Emmanuelle Vulliet, Rémy Cazabet, Guillaume Minard, Claire Valiente Moro · FEMS Microbiology Ecology · France
A study conducted in French community gardens investigated whether pollution gradients influence the water microbial composition of Aedes albopictus larval habitats. The physicochemical and microbial compositions of noncolonized and colonized waters did not significantly differ, with the exception of N2O and CH4 concentrations, which were higher in noncolonized water samples. The microbial composition of larval habitats covaried differentially along the pollution gradients according to colonization status.
CommunityBiodiversityHealthLambeth plots: Two mapping projects highlighting existing and potential city spaces for food growing
2024Janie Bickersteth, J. F. S. Ferro, Marjorie Landels, Stephanie Robson · · United Kingdom
Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL) is undertaking two mapping projects in Lambeth, UK, to identify and make available hidden food production niches. Six walking trails highlight existing food growing in community gardens and green spaces, distributed to pharmacies, GP surgeries, and schools. The 'Lambeth plots' project, in collaboration with Arup, combines GIS analysis with citizen-led mapping to reveal food growing potential across the entire borough.
CommunityPolicyHealthDigital agricultureIs it healthy urban agriculture? Human exposure to potentially toxic elements in urban gardens from Andalusia, Spain
2024Sabina Rossini Oliva, Rafael López Núñez · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · Spain (Andalusia)
This study evaluated potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in vegetables and topsoils from urban gardens in Seville, Cordoba, Huelva, and a mining area (Riotinto), Spain, comparing them with market and peri-urban samples. Soils in the mining area and cities generally showed higher contamination with As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn compared to other locations. Despite this, all PTE concentrations in vegetables from the studied urban gardens, including those from As-contaminated soils, were below health-based guidance values and market levels (except lettuce), and human health risk assessments indicated safe consumption.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureCommunityUpscaling Green Social Prescribing and Urban Agriculture in Cities: Reflections on Social and Horticultural Therapy in the United Kingdom
2024Michael Hardman, Lydia Hubbard, Hayley Watson · The Professional Geographer · United Kingdom
This article reflects on urban agriculture (UA) in the United Kingdom, focusing on its relationship with green social prescribing (GSP). It highlights the increased impact of UA schemes that adopt GSP practices. The article aims to raise awareness among key actors about opportunities and challenges, and encourage geographers to engage with GSP.
HealthCommunityPolicyAssessment of heavy metal transfer factors from soil to edible crops in peri-urban agricultural lands
2024Elliot Buckminster, Charlotte Breckenridge, Thomas Sedgwick · International Journal of Research in Agronomy · United Kingdom
This research quantified soil-to-plant transfer factors for six heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr) in lettuce, spinach, and carrot across 20 peri-urban agricultural sites in Berkshire, UK, from 2021-2022. Cadmium exhibited the highest mean transfer factor (0.31), and at 4 of 20 sites, cadmium concentrations in lettuce exceeded the EU maximum limit of 0.20 mg/kg fresh weight. Soil pH was a strong predictor for Cd and Zn transfer factors, with TFs increasing below pH 6.0.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureʺEthnobotanical spaceʺ: plants as a link between nature and culture.
2024Buonanno Rosa · IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) · Italy (Reggio Emilia)
This study in Reggio Emilia, Italy, explored primary school children's knowledge of plants and their uses, and aimed to rebuild a plant-focused learning environment with school stakeholders. Qualitative analysis of children's conversations and documentation revealed their innate connection with plants through food or health applications, supporting their "naturalistic intelligence." Teachers reported that the plant project fostered group work, collaboration, and a changing didactic approach, connecting children to the earth's environment.
Food educationHealthCommunitySoil quality in the urban gardens of Barcelona (Spain)
2024Cosimo Dondini, Xavier Úbeda, Giacomo Certini, Marcos Francos · Journal of Soils and Sediments · Spain (Barcelona)
This study analyzed soils from ten urban gardens in Barcelona, Spain, with a special focus on possible contaminants. Irrigation water was also analyzed, and some of the waters contained a high concentration of salts and nitrites, which are listed as a pollutant. While three tests for heavy metals did not attest to significant pollution, other toxic elements not considered in this study could come from road transport gases or the port of Barcelona. Overall, the soil quality was concluded to be suitable for growing vegetables.
Contamination & food safetyOrganic cycleHealthCommunityGrowing Your Own Food and Dietary Quality: Results from a Survey
2024Larissa S. Drescher, Carola Grebitus · EuroChoices · Europe
This study investigated the link between growing one's own food and dietary quality, using the Healthy Food Diversity Index, Berry-Index, and a produce consumption indicator. It found that growing food at home and in community gardens is associated with the highest fruit and vegetable consumption, while not growing any food is associated with the lowest produce consumption. Overall, the results indicate that growing food is linked to higher dietary quality values, suggesting potential health benefits from home and community gardens. The negative association between not growing food and diet quality highlights a need to promote food-growing programs.
DIYCommunityHealthImpact of food based intergeneration community intervention
2024Fotini Tsofliou, R. Vijayakumaran, Ashley Wilson, Anthony Mills · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · United Kingdom (Dorset)
This pilot research, conducted with fourteen adults in disadvantaged areas of Dorset, UK, explored perceptions on the importance and roles of community food garden and kitchen initiatives. Four main themes emerged from the participants' perspectives: tackling food insecurity and sustainability, utilization of climate-friendly and organic food, bridging the intergenerational gap, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareElderlyUnexpected effects of urban food activism on community and human wellbeing
2023· Local Environment · United Kingdom (Aberdeen)
Based on interviews with food-growing project participants in Aberdeen, UK, finds unexpected wellbeing effects of urban food activism, notably heavy burdens on volunteer coordinators of community gardens.
CommunityWelfareHealthJardiner et cuisiner collectivement pour favoriser l'accès à une alimentation choisie et durable
2023Lucile Vigouroux, Fanny Provent, Giulia Giacchè · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · France
This report details the ‘Potager à la Marmite’ (PAM) experiment, conducted by LAB3S and the Urban Agriculture Chair with local partners in Bondy Nord, France. The two-year experiment (2022-2023) aimed to combine a community garden with a collective kitchen. Its goals were to provide access to healthy, sustainable food, enable inhabitants to reclaim public spaces, and observe knowledge-sharing dynamics. The abstract does not state any specific findings from the experiment.
CommunityFood educationHealthFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Agriculture Approach in The Development of Sustainable Cities: The Case Of Elazığ, Türkiye
2023Fürüzan Aslan, Yaşar Menteş, Oğuz ATEŞ · Kırklareli Üniversitesi Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · Turkey (Elazığ)
This study examines the city area of Elazığ province, Türkiye, from the perspective of urban agriculture, which is presented as a tool for sustainable urban development. It offers various suggestions to ensure sustainability in Elazığ, develop insights into regional food supply, and increase the importance of urban aesthetics, land use, urban environmental management, public health, and economic development.
PolicyHealthEconomicsCommunityThings that endure: Community gardens and the post-work imaginary
2023Abigail Schoneboom, Daniel Mallo, Armelle Tardiveau · Journal of Classical Sociology · United Kingdom
This sensory ethnographic study, using pinhole photography, explored how time is experienced by unemployed volunteers at a community garden in the north-east of England. It found that the garden's ability to provide meaningful time is rooted in its food-growing and composting cycles, as well as enduring elements like mature trees and volunteer-made structures. The study argues that urban community gardens offer an "elongated present" that fulfills individuals and sustains community and nature.
CommunityWelfareOrganic cycleHealth