Research & reports

Ada Górna · Prace i Studia Geograficzne · Global

A study analyzed urban agriculture supply chains in Havana, Kigali, Bissau, and Singapore based on fieldwork conducted from 2018 to 2020. It found that while shortened supply chains are typical for urban agriculture, their benefits are not arbitrary and depend on local economic, social, and spatial conditions, as well as the supply chain's organization and structure. The positive effects of localized food production are not universal, indicating a need for further research into supply and value chain structures.

Guilherme Mazza Dourado · Cahiers de la recherche architecturale urbaine et paysagère · Global

This abstract introduces a book by Franco Panzini, "Cultivating the City: A Social History of Urban Gardens in the 20th Century." It notes the diverse terminology for urban gardens across different countries, such as "jardin ouvrier" in France, "Schrebergarten" in Germany, "Allotment Garden" in Great Britain, and "Victory Garden" in the United States during world conflicts. The abstract focuses on the linguistic polyphony used to designate urban vegetable gardens.

Jamie Y Hamblin · Digital Archive @ GSU · Global

This research examined the role of urban agriculture in addressing urban food insecurity by reviewing urban interventions for food production. Using a developed food security score, statistical analysis showed strong correlations with physical, future, and social capital (0.72, 0.73, 0.80 respectively), and with the number of project components (0.83). A moderate correlation was found with project duration (0.60). The developed food security score system is fairly subjective with some limitations.

Sara Noemie Plassnig, Marisa Pettit, Kristin Reichborn‐Kjennerud, Ina Säumel · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Global

This study documents and analyzes scaling practices of co-created Living Labs implementing Edible City Solutions (ECS) in Andernach, Berlin, Havana, Oslo, and Rotterdam. Using a mixed-method approach and applying scaling pathways (up, deep, wide, across, soft), the research presents ongoing scaling stories, experiences, and challenges. The study critically reviews scaling processes and offers eleven recommendations for scaling edible nature-based solutions.

Aaron Sedivy · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Global

This document outlines the benefits of urban agriculture, such as energy conservation, rainwater remediation, and therapeutic uses, and its contribution to food security pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. It suggests special considerations for improving urban soils and designing an evolving food crop production plan.

Elias Danyi Kuusaana, Isaac Ayurienga, Joyce A. Eledi Kuusaana, Joseph Kwaku Kidido, Ibrahim Abu Abdulai · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Ghana (Bolgatanga)

A study in Bolgatanga Township, Ghana, used field surveys, key informant interviews, and GIS mapping to examine urban agricultural practices. It found that agricultural lands significantly decreased in size and contiguity since 1996 due to urban sprawl, forcing farmers to use segregated plots and undeveloped residential areas which are easily lost to development. The study concluded that urbanization exacerbates food production challenges without policies to protect agricultural lands.

Richard Kofi Asravor, Paul Adjei Kwakwa · African Geographical Review · Ghana

This study compared the food security status of urban dwellers in Accra, Ghana, before and after the COVID-19 lockdown, using a sample of 340 respondents. The research found a significant difference, with 36.4% of households being 'High food secure' prior to COVID-19, but 12.35% becoming 'Very low food secure' post-lockdown. The findings indicate a decline in urban household food security following the lockdown.

Sina Razzaghi Asl, Anahita Azadgar · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Iran (Tehran)

A study in Tehran, Iran, mapped the spatial distribution and socio-economic attributes of 26 urban community gardens using semi-structured interviews, qualitative analysis, and secondary data from the 2020 Tehran statistical yearbook. The findings revealed a geographical distribution imbalance, with most gardens located in the southern part of the city. Community gardens were mainly placed in areas with lower average land prices, lower median household income, and higher education graduates, indicating an uneven distribution that favors socio-economically disadvantaged areas.

Arlene M. Rosen · Risk, systems and decisions · Global

This paper suggests that modern Western communities can learn from small-scale societies' long-term sustainable living strategies in dryland environments. These societies developed resilience over thousands of years, rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, enabling them to thrive through shifting environmental conditions. While not directly applicable to large cities, their solutions can inform ground-up approaches for smaller urban segments like neighborhood collectives, urban gardening, and water conservation methods.

Lenon Musosa, Munyaradzi Davis Shekede, Isaiah Gwitira, Innocent Chirisa, Daniel Tevera, Abraham R. Matamanda · African Geographical Review · Zimbabwe (Harare)

This study mapped the spatial and temporal distribution of cropland in Harare Metropolitan, Zimbabwe, between 1985 and 2019 using Landsat 5 imagery and the Random Forest classifier in Google Earth Engine. The results revealed considerable fluctuations in the cultivated area over this period, influenced by several factors. The study demonstrates the increasing importance of remote sensing for assessing urban cropland and its contribution to food security.

Nick ten Caat, Martin Tenpierik, Andy van den Dobbelsteen · Sustainability · Global

This study introduced the FEWprint platform's diet shift component, simulating a theoretical community-wide diet shift from conventional to vegan while maintaining protein intake in Amsterdam, Belfast, and Detroit. Results showed the largest total carbon mitigation potential in Detroit (-916 kg CO2eq/cap/year), followed by Belfast (-866 kg) and Amsterdam (-509 kg). In relative terms, Belfast had the largest carbon reduction potential (-25%), followed by Amsterdam (-15%) and Detroit (-7%).

Monika Egerer · Anliegen Natur · Global

A global survey explored the importance of urban gardens during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey showed that gardening is an effective outdoor strategy for stress relief, food provision, and increasing feelings of safety during uncertain times.

Jia Qi Cheong · · Malaysia

Almost 10 million Malaysians face food insecurity, leading to the emergence of initiatives supporting alternative food sources, though challenges persist. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of urban food supply chains, with Malaysia experiencing cooking oil price spikes in February 2022.

JAVIER DE LEON, ARACELLY VEGA RÍOS · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Panama

This report details a virtual workshop on sustainable urban and peri-urban agriculture. The workshop was conducted as part of the APY-CENPEN-2018-012 SENACYT project, focusing on "Sustainability in the Use of Natural Resources in the Western Region of Panama."

Siwei Hu, MI Chang-hong, SHI Rongguang, YANG Yanying · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global

This study analyzed the frontiers, hot topics, and trends of sustainable agriculture development using CiteSpace, based on 2,217 papers published in Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2019. Frontiers focused on "food system resilience and food security," "ecological intensification and sustainable intensification," "agricultural multi-functionality and urban agriculture," and "trade-offs and synergies of ecosystem services in agroecosystem." Hotspots included climate change impacts on agricultural systems and adaptive management, ecosystem services management in agro-ecosystems, and environmental impact assessment of agricultural activities and integrated sustainability assessment of agricultural systems.

Ndeyapo Nickanor, Lawrence N. Kazembe, Jonathan Crush · · Namibia

A household survey of 853 households in Namibia's Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa (OOO) urban corridor found 77% household food insecurity and a mean dietary diversity of less than 5. The most common coping strategies were relying on less preferred and less expensive foods (67%) and rural-urban food transfers (55%). Urban agriculture was found to be very limited in this region.

A. Smaliychuk, Dmytro Khiblin · Vìsnik Nacìonalʹnogo unìversitetu Lʹvìvsʹka polìtehnìka Serìâ Arhìtektura · Global

This study discussed the necessity of active development of food production at the local level to prevent a predicted global ecological collapse and inability to feed the human population after 2050. It proposed that locating agricultural production in anthropogenic environments and making the synergy of energy, agricultural production, and waste recycling a key structural planning principle for architectural objects would ensure food security and impact urban planning structures. Local food production capacity would limit the maximum size of megacities and contribute to a more dispersed settlement structure.

Felix Buabeng, Erasmus Kabu Aduteye · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Rural Development Studies · Global

This literature review examines the contributions and positive impacts of community and home gardens in addressing food insecurity and the overall well-being of household members. As many residents struggle with access to fresh produce and face food insecurity, community gardens can serve as a strategy to alleviate these challenges and help families reduce pandemic-related economic losses by supplementing their diets with nutritious foods. This paper also determines the types of gardening people practice and common crops grown.

Swarna Devi Palanivelu, Nur Amira Zainul Armir, Amalia Zulkifli, Ainul Hafiza Abdul Hair, Kushairi Mohd Salleh, Keith Lindsey, Muhamad Hafiz Che Othman, Sarani Zakaria · Polymers · Global

This review discusses the potentials and limitations of hydrogel in urban agriculture. While hydrogel has been introduced in urban agriculture over the past few decades, its application is still being explored regarding hydrogel types, structure, physical and chemical properties, changes due to external factors, and suitability for different plant species. The study presents the current state of knowledge on hydrogel production methods, characteristics, advantages, and limitations.

Susan Anne Mansel Fitzgerald · · Cuba

This chapter reviews various perspectives on urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba, focusing on farm types, food access, and cultural expressions. It highlights that research also addresses the hierarchies and power struggles surrounding urban agriculture sites and their integration into land-management systems. The study advocates for understanding the rhythms of everyday life to deepen insights into these sites.

Priya R. Chandrasekaran · NWSA Journal · Global

This review discusses "Mapping Gendered Ecologies: Engaging with and beyond Ecowomanism and Ecofeminism," a fifteen-chapter anthology edited by K. Melchor Quick Hall and Gwyn Kirk. The collection explores the power of ecofeminism and ecowomanism, revealing obscured relationships and ideas, and outlining pathways for socio-ecological healing and sustainability. It is recommended for scholars and collaborators in various fields, including environmental studies, women and gender studies, and urban studies.

Mary Ann N Daculog, Thea P Suaco, Romalyn D Parado · Advances in Agriculture Horticulture and Entomology · Philippines (Baguio City)

This study analyzed the chemical properties of soil in Barangay Lucnab, Baguio City, Philippines, focusing on macronutrient and micronutrient presence. Findings revealed low soil moisture content (27.26% to 33.60%) and strongly acidic pH levels (4.1 to 4.83). Organic matter content was also low (2.71% to 3.45%), suggesting that the soil's acidity may impact nutrient availability and solubility, thereby reducing harvest and productivity.

Emma Burnett · Smart Cities · Global

This chapter explores the complex relationship between urban environments, food, and agriculture, examining divergent philosophies on agriculture's future. It discusses the role of technology in both rural and urban agriculture, how food production integrates into cities, and various urban agriculture practices. The text investigates the benefits and drawbacks of technology in food systems and the impacts of Smart City technologies, suggesting that clever city development should align with practitioners' needs to build resilient urban food systems.

Francesca Peroni, John Michael Humphries Choptiany, Samuel Ledermann · · Global

This chapter explores the role of agroecology in smart cities and investigates how Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) could spread agroecological approaches to boost urban agriculture. Smart cities are criticized for their inability to build just and inclusive environments, and ICT alone cannot guarantee sustainable development. While agroecology enhances ecosystem services and human well-being, its introduction in urban ecosystems is complex. The chapter suggests ICT could provide tools to enhance dwellers' competencies in practicing agroecology, ultimately exploring how smart urban agriculture contributes to food sovereignty and ecosystem service maintenance.

Özge Yalçıner Ercoşkun · IGI Global eBooks · Global

This chapter analyzes direct organic marketing mechanisms and community-building approaches, such as organic markets, participatory guarantee systems, and community-supported agriculture. It demonstrates these cultures and provides best practices for creating sustainable food community networks globally. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the significance of sociality and locality, thus contributing to the long-term goal of sustainable development and resilience.