Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
1500 results(22 / 60)
Impact of urban expansion on the peri-urban farming communities: the case of lalibela town, amhara regional state, ethiopia.
2021Nibret Sefiw Adugnaw · Open access jounrals · Ethiopia
This study examines the impact of urban expansion on peri-urban farming communities in Lalibela town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.
Peri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkagePolicyMetal modular system for urban agriculture buildings.
2021Lucas Leite Costa, Cláudia Maria Arcipreste, Tito Flávio Rodrigues de Aguiar · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Global
This work uses an architectural project methodology to reflect on the demands for rationalizing industrialized construction processes using metal components for buildings dedicated to food production in large urban centers. It studies the potential of modular buildings in metal construction for urban agriculture, exploring strategies for flexibility and adaptability of spaces to diverse implementation contexts. This approach aims to reduce steps in the food production and distribution chain.
Urban–rural linkageEconomicsClimate changeChromium Laden Soil, Water, and Vegetables nearby Tanning Industries: Speciation and Spatial Distribution
2021Adugnaw Maru Gezahegn, Fekadu Fufa, Esayas Alemayehu, Abebe Beyene · Journal of Chemistry · Ethiopia (Modjo city)
This study investigated the spatial distribution and speciation of chromium in water, soil, and edible plants in tannery-contaminated areas of Modjo city, Ethiopia. Total chromium in the Modjo River was 20.6 mg L−1 upstream, and soil Cr (III) and Cr (VI) concentrations were found to be higher than guideline values. Chromium concentrations in edible plants were also significantly higher than in control areas, with roots accumulating more chromium than leaves and fruits. It was concluded that water, soil, and edible plants in this area contain chromium concentrations higher than recommended for a healthy environment and human consumption.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkageAbiotic and biotic drivers of strawberry productivity across a rural-urban gradient
2021Kyla D. Scherr, Mary A. Jamieson · Basic and Applied Ecology · United States (Michigan)
This three-year study investigated environmental factors influencing strawberry productivity for two cultivars at ten farms across a rural-urban gradient in Michigan, USA. It found no direct effect of urbanization on strawberry production or fruit pathogen and pest damage, but temperature significantly influenced crop productivity, with cooler rural and warmer urban temperatures limiting fruit number. While no relationship was found between urbanization and overall arthropod pest, predator, or pollinator abundances, Vespidae abundance was positively associated with urbanization, and Araneae abundance was negatively associated.
Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkageBiodiversityClimate changeCharacteristics of policies based on Basic Law for Urban Agricultural Promotion formulated by local governments located in urbanization promotion area of Tokyo
2021Izumi ARAKAWA, Noriko Akita · Journal of The Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture · Japan (Tokyo)
This study identified the characteristics of local plan policies based on the Basic Law for Urban Agricultural Promotion, formulated by local governments. The survey covered 310 local governments in 11 prefectures across three major Metropolitan areas. Tokyo had a large number of local governments formulating local plans and implementing various policies, with differences observed between cities and wards. "Branding of agricultural products" was one policy independently formulated, while "Promotion of agricultural cooperation between rural and urban areas" was not adopted by any local government.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPotential of urban green spaces for supporting horticultural production: a national scale analysis
2021Lael Walsh, Bethan R. Mead, Charlotte A. Hardman, Daniel Evans, Lingxuan Liu, Natalia Falagán, Sofia Kourmpetli, Jessica Davies · Environmental Research Letters · United Kingdom
This study provides a national-scale analysis of the horticultural production potential of urban green spaces in Great Britain (GB). It identifies urban green spaces available for horticultural production and quantifies potential yields based on three production options. Urban green spaces in GB, at their upper limit, have the capacity to support production 8 times greater than current domestic fruit and vegetable production, or 38% of current domestic production and imports combined. Most urban green spaces consist of private residential gardens and amenity spaces, and all examined towns and cities were found to have substantial potential to meet the dietary needs of the local urban population.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageClimate changeEnergy justice, renewable energy, and the rural-urban divide: Insights from the Southwest U.S.
2021Stephanie Buechler, Karina Guadalupe Martínez-Molina · Energy and Climate Change · United States
This study compared rural and urban populations living near or receiving energy from a large-scale solar-wind energy park in Arizona, Southwest U.S., using an energy justice framework. Small-scale renewable energy projects better served low-income groups, with more governmental and non-profit organization support for these projects in urban areas. Adverse effects of large-scale projects on communities and wildlife were not being addressed via benefits or profit sharing.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeLocal food development in the Moose Cree First Nation: taking steps to build local food sustainability
2021Celeste Ferreira, Janice Cindy Gaudet, Anthony Chum, Michael A. Robidoux · Food Culture & Society · Canada
This paper explores local food initiatives in Moose Cree First Nation, a remote northern community in Ontario, Canada, focusing on a community garden project. It documents steps taken to build local food capacity and understand the challenges and opportunities the community faces in regaining autonomy over its food system. The findings are based on community-based participatory action approaches.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthUrban–rural linkageThe Politics of Smart Farming Expectations in Urban Environments
2021Per-Anders Langendahl · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Global
This paper investigates the politics of smart farming expectations in urban environments, conducting exploratory case study research on early smart farming initiatives in Sweden. It explores the politics of knowledge claims at the project level and their performativity in envisioning more sustainable urban futures. The findings suggest that smart farming at the level of individual projects gives the appearance of change, but at the same time, it produces more of the same.
Governance failureDigital agriculturePolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageAgricultura urbana, governança territorial e planejamento urbano em área protegida de Manaus – Brasil
2021Camila Garcia Fernandes de Souza Margem, Néliton Marques da Sílva · Cadernos Metrópole · Brazil (Manaus)
This article analyzed the feasibility of implementing urban agriculture (UA) on idle land within the Tarumã – Ponta Negra Environmental Protection Area in Manaus, Brazil, as a tool for territorial governance and urban planning. Semi-structured interviews and card sorting techniques were applied to the target population. The study found that the use of idle land for UA is not envisioned as a territorial governance instrument, a situation exacerbated by municipal authorities hindering the legitimization of bills for such land use.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageGLOBAL CONCEPT OF POST-INDUSTRIAL PERIOD – CITY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2021Anastasiia Vesna · Current problems of architecture and urban planning · Global
This article considers global concepts of the post-industrial period, using the concept of the city of sustainable development as an example. Existing global concepts of a sustainable city were analyzed in four areas: ecology, economy, politics, and culture. Using content analysis, it was revealed that the concept of "the city of sustainable development" belongs to the category of "Architectural utopias" and coincided with "ideal cities" due to its attractive expectations of "Results" and vague descriptions of "Risks" and "Resource costs".
PolicyClimate changeUrban–rural linkageAgricultura e produção do espaço urbano: reflexões para uma agenda de pesquisa
2021Ricardo Theóphilo Folhes, Harley Silva, Raul da Silva Ventura Neto, Kevin Gabriel Leite Da Silva, Círia Cristiane Da Rosa, Aelton Dias Costa · Novos Cadernos NAEA · Brazil (Pará)
This article presents initial results from a bibliographic review on Urban Agriculture (UA) to support a research agenda in the metropolitan regions of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon. The review analyzed concepts, approaches, and challenges in national and international literature. It concludes that UA needs to be problematized within the phenomena of urban-regional space production, which cause socioeconomic and spatial inequalities, representing the greatest structural difficulties for urban agriculture.
Equity & displacementUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsProximity of Urban Farms to Hazards With and Without Heavy Metal Contamination in Baltimore, Maryland
2021Jonathan Hall, Isabel Shargo, Niya Khanjar, Jianna Howard, Laura Schmidt, Ashley Deng, Camryn Edwards, Isabelle Berman, Joseph Galarraga, Sacoby Wilson · Environmental Justice · United States
This study in Baltimore, Maryland, used GIS mapping and spatial analysis to assess the proximity of urban farms to environmental hazards, including those with heavy metal contamination. Analyses indicated that contamination of urban farms is a possibility due to proximity: more environmental hazards were found in census tracts with urban farms, and low-income communities of color had hazards near urban farms. Historically industrial areas showed a higher concentration of environmental hazards with heavy metal or unknown contamination.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityUrban–rural linkagePolicyAssessment of the food-water-energy nexus suitability of rooftops. A methodological remote sensing approach in an urban Mediterranean area
2021Perla Zambrano-Prado, Joan Muñoz‐Liesa, Alejandro Josa, Joan Rieradevall, Ramón Álamús, Santiago Gassó, Xavier Gabarrell · Sustainable Cities and Society · Spain (Barcelona)
This work established a remote sensing framework to identify and analyze the technical feasibility of roofs for integrating urban agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and photovoltaic systems. Applied to a region north of Barcelona, the study found that 8% of the roof area was feasible for tomato and lettuce production, potentially satisfying 210% of average tomato intake and 21% of average lettuce consumption. Rainwater harvesting systems could supply 94.26% of water for open-air lettuce and 53% for rooftop greenhouse tomatoes, while 50% of roofs were suitable for photovoltaic panels, representing 18% of citizens' average energy consumption.
Urban–rural linkageClimate changeEconomicsTHEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO THE FORMATION OF URBAN AGROLANDSCAPE STRUCTURES
2021Viktoria Shchurova · Current problems of architecture and urban planning · Ukraine (Kiev)
This article highlights the problems of the negative impact of the agricultural sector integrated into the central and middle zones of large cities. A critical view was formulated on the practical implementation of scientific and legislative documents, using the example of the city of Kiev, and strategies for reorganization, restrictions, or a complete ban on estate development in urban environments were analyzed. Specific plots of estate development in Kiev were identified as requiring reconstruction or complete renovation in accordance with the city's strategic development concept.
Environmental trade-offsPolicyUrban–rural linkageClimate changeCommunityROBOTIC MINI-GREENHOUSES AND INSTALLATIONS FOR GROWING AGRICULTURAL CROPS AT HOME
2021L.A. Zhuravleva, A. Aldiab · SCIENTIFIC LIFE · Global
This article discusses innovative directions in urban farming and presents the development of an installation for growing agricultural crops at home with an automatic control system based on the Arduino platform. The control system measures illumination, temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, and water level using sensors, automatically maintaining optimal microclimate parameters. The conducted studies demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of this experimental installation.
DIYDigital agricultureUrban–rural linkageChanging Agriculture and Climate Variability in Peri-Urban Gurugram, India
2021Pratik Mishra, Sumit Vij · · India (Gurugram)
Ethnographic research in Budhera, a peri-urban village bordering Gurugram city in Haryana, India, investigated the juxtaposition of urbanization processes and climate variability impacts on peri-urban agriculture. Results showed that dimensions of agrarian livelihoods, such as cropping choices, irrigation cycles, sharecropping arrangements, declining common property resources, and land use changes to non-agricultural uses, were influenced by urbanization processes. It was concluded that changes in land and water use reshape agricultural practices and can cascade upon climate variability impacts, making agriculture more precarious for peri-urban farmers.
Economic viabilityPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeEconomicsUrban–rural linkageTowards Green Rusunawa: Clean Water Utilization, Composting, and Urban Farming in Muara Baru Flats
2021Dion Notario, Ferdian Suprata, Meda Canti, Listya Utami Karmawan · MITRA Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)
A community empowerment program focusing on clean water management, compost making, and urban farming was implemented in Muara Baru flats, Jakarta. A majority of residents responded positively to the program and expressed willingness to actively participate. However, several obstacles hindering the program's success were identified, including a lack of commitment from the local community, climate change, water availability, and arable land availability.
Governance failureCommunityCompostUrban–rural linkageClimate changeSilty Loam
2021Sara Nicholls, Special Collections, Fleet Library · Digital Commons - RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) · United States
"Silty Loam" is an informational pamphlet exploring various methods of food cultivation in urban environments and the motivations behind them. The pamphlet examines how city residents have challenged the separation of agriculture and urban life through initiatives like community gardens, community land trusts, and rooftop gardens. It is part of the "Brain Washing From Phone Towers" series, produced by hand using letterpress and relief printing to combine text and images.
CommunityDIYUrban–rural linkageIntraspecific variability of floral and ornamental plants of Onagraceae family and mechanisms of their variety formation
2021E. V. Koroleva, A. F. Petrov, Yu. V. Chudinova · Bulletin of NSAU (Novosibirsk State Agrarian University) · Russia (Novosibirsk)
This review focuses on the intraspecific variability of ornamental plants of the genus Clarkia (Onagraceae) and the clarification of the systematic status of Godetia species introduced into Novosibirsk. Experimental data from genetic and cytological analyses over the last 100 years are presented, showing morphological, karyological characteristics, and genetic variability in various species of the Godetia section. The article concludes that a comprehensive study of environmental conditions' influence on genetic features, ornamental qualities, and flowering biology is necessary for selecting suitable forms and introducing them into urban gardening for Western Siberia's climatic conditions.
DIYBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageLocavorismo: uma análise de suas contradições à luz de experiências de agricultura urbana em São Paulo
2021Manuela Maluf Santos, Paulo Eduardo Moruzzi Marques · Estudos Avançados · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article conceptually explores the "locavorism" food activism movement, noting that its practical application can have diverse and even antagonistic effects. To analyze these contradictions, two farmer organizations in São Paulo involved in local consumption circuits were interviewed to understand the potential social and environmental effects of this purchasing model. The abstract does not present the findings of these interviews.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageTurkey's Urban Agriculture Opportunities and Peri Urban Agriculture's Relationship with Law No. 6360
2021İrem YURDAY, Ceren Yağcı, Fatih İŞCAN · Türkiye Arazi Yönetimi Dergisi · Turkey
This study explains the definitions, contributions, and benefits of urban agriculture and peri-urban agriculture. It notes that there is no clear policy framework for urban and peri-urban agriculture in Turkey, although urban interfaces are subject to planners and policymakers. The transformation of villages in big cities into communities under Law No. 6360 is presented from a utilitarian perspective. Urban agriculture has been adopted as a profitable production method in urban and peri-urban areas, and suggestions for its development in Turkey are provided.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureEconomicsOperational Pattern of Urban-Rural Integration Regulated by Land Use in Metropolitan Fringe of China
2021Wei Cao, Shenglü Zhou, Minyu Zhou · Land · China
This study analyzed urban-rural reality in Pukou District, Nanjing City, China, and investigated farmers' willingness to achieve urban-rural integration through land use. Pukou District was divided into four land use areas based on resource environment, development intensity, and potential, and most farmers showed a strong willingness for urban-rural integration via land use. The study proposes an operational pattern for regional land use, based on "reality + willingness + policy," utilizing farmland reconsolidation, village reconstruction, and factor reallocation to achieve urban-rural integration.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyPeri-urban agricultureNature-based solutions as discursive tools and contested practices in urban nature’s neoliberalisation processes
2020Panagiota Kotsila, Isabelle Anguelovski, Francesc Baró, Johannes Langemeyer, Filka Sekulova, James J. Connolly · Environment and Planning E Nature and Space · Spain (Barcelona)
This paper analyzes nature-based solutions (NBS) as discursive tools that create an inviting space for nature's neoliberalization processes, examining two city-initiated projects in Barcelona, Spain: the Passeig de Sant Joan green corridor and the Espai Germanetes community garden. The study found that urban nature can serve elite economic players at the expense of widespread socio-ecological benefits. It also noted that outcomes regarding neoliberalism and its contestation were very distinct between the two projects due to different forms of governance.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkage‘Locationally disadvantaged’: planning governmentalities and peri-urban agricultural futures
2020Laura Wynne, Laure‐Elise Ruoso, Dana Cordell, Brent Jacobs · Australian Geographer · Australia (Sydney)
This paper investigates metropolitan-level strategic planning documents in Sydney, Australia, using a Foucauldian governmentality approach, to understand how they relate to peri-urban agriculture. The analysis reveals that prevailing rationalities, including the global city, compact city, and sustainability agenda, frame the urbanization of peri-urban agricultural lands as necessary and inevitable. Consequently, peri-urban areas are not considered to have unique planning needs but are instead imagined as latent spaces for future housing and job development, integrating agriculture only when it aligns with the 'global city' narrative.
Governance failurePeri-urban agriculturePolicyUrban–rural linkage