Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2056 results(23 / 83)
Health risk associated with soil and plant contamination in industrial areas
2023Alicja Kicińska, Justyna Wikar · Plant and Soil · Global
This study assessed human health risks from contact with contaminated soil and consumption of plants grown in contaminated soils in allotment gardens and farmlands located in areas affected by Zn-Pb and steel industries and hard coal mining. Using US EPA methodology and pseudo-total concentrations of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in soil and plant samples, estimated daily intake and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were analyzed for recreational and residential exposure scenarios. Findings indicated that the proportion of different exposure pathways in total health risk decreased in the order: intake of contaminated vegetables > accidental soil ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation of contaminated soil particles, and children are more exposed to toxic effects of PTEs than seniors and economically active adults.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyThe role of urban and peri-urban agriculture in global food security from post-war to the COVID-19 crisis: new perspectives on food justice, global health, and sustainability,
2023Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global
A critical literature review discussed the evolution of food and nutrition security (FNS) and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). The review found that institutional responses to FNS are concentrated in times of crisis, which favors the maintenance of globalized and unsustainable food systems. UPA practices show peaks of rise and decline, evolving with the FNS agenda.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeUrban–rural linkageThings 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 cycleHealthRecipes for Resistance
2023Claudia J. Ford · · United States
This essay provides a critical historiography of Black women's roles in the food justice movement, using storytelling and historical analysis to amplify their voices. It highlights figures such as Leah Chase, the women of Rise and Root Farm, Barbara Norman, and Edith Floyd, who established Growing Joy Community Gardens. The author positions these Black women as advocates for community food justice and creators of community healing spaces, moving beyond individual healthy lifestyle improvements.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityHealthWelfareFood Security of Urban Agricultural Households in the Area of North Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
2023Oekan S. Abdoellah, Yusep Suparman, Kinanti Indah Safitri, Rahma Maulia Fadli Basagevan, Nafa Destri Fianti, Indri Wulandari, Teguh Husodo · Sustainability · Indonesia (Bandung)
This study investigated the food security of urban agricultural households (subsistence, semi-commercial, and commercial) in North Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. A study of 321 households found that the average calorie adequacy for all urban agriculture types was 84.53%, and 53.89% of respondents were categorized as food-vulnerable, indicating low household food security.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthSocial and Community Benefits and Limitations of Urban Agriculture
2023Alicia Papanek, Catherine Campbell, Hannah Wooten · EDIS · Global
This publication, authored by Alicia Papanek, Catherine G. Campbell, and Hannah Wooten and published in January 2023 by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, provides an overview of urban food production. It discusses the benefits of urban agriculture alongside potential challenges that can limit the success of these operations, including economic viability.
Economic viabilityCommunityHealthEconomicsAnalysis of Importance of and Satisfaction with the Values and Major Achievements of Urban Agriculture
2023Yumin Park, Yong-Wook Shin · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study conducted an importance-performance analysis (IPA) on the values and major achievements of urban agriculture, analyzing 104 responses from experts involved in urban agricultural policies. It found that both importance and satisfaction were highest for health functions, followed by social-cultural, environmental-ecological, and economic functions. Awareness of health functions was high, while economic functions were low, suggesting a need for strengthening.
PolicyHealthEconomicsCommunityBiodiversityComparison of bioactive compounds of continental and Mediterranean pomegranate fruits and its application in urban gardening
2023Radenka Kolarov, Mirjana Ljubojević, JOVANA SUCUR ELEZ, Mirjana Adakalić, BILJANA LAZOVIC, Dejan Prvulović, Sezai Erċışlı, DJORDJE MALENCIC · TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY · Serbia
This study compared bioactive compounds in pomegranate genotypes from a continental region (Sremski Karlovci, Serbia) and a Mediterranean urban region (Bar, Montenegro). Analysis of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, pigments, vitamin C, acidity, pH, and sugars, along with DPPH and ABTS antioxidant tests, revealed that pomegranates grown in the continental area had significantly higher amounts of biochemically active compounds than those from the Mediterranean urban region. This suggests adaptation to continental conditions, with continental samples showing greater antioxidant potential and proanthocyanidins content.
Limited or null effectDIYHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture and Community Resilience
2023Chuo Li · Landscape Journal · United States (New Orleans)
This research investigates post-Katrina urban agricultural development in Village de L’Est, New Orleans, Louisiana, using archival research, interviews, and field observations. It reveals how urban agriculture became an integral part of community rebuilding schemes and contributed to resilience in this urban ethnic community. The development of urban agriculture was essential to the community’s long-term resilience strategies, promoting community empowerment and enhancing food security and resilience.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthOccurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of PAHs and OPAHs in urban agricultural soils from Guangzhou City, China
2023Weisong Chen, Weixuan Xian, Guiying He, Zhongye Xue, Shaomin Li, Wenyan Li, Yongtao Li, Yulong Zhang, Xingjian Yang · Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety · China (Guangzhou)
A study in seven districts of Guangzhou City, China, evaluated the large-scale occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of 16 PAHs and 14 OPAHs in urban agricultural soils. Average concentrations of ΣPAHs and ΣOPAHs during the flood season (59.6 ± 31.1-213 ± 115.5 μg/kg) were significantly higher than during the dry season (42.1 ± 13.3-157.2 ± 98.2 μg/kg). Coal combustion and traffic emissions were identified as the dominant sources for these contaminants in both seasons.
Contamination & food safetyHealthClimate changeThe “City Healing” Development through Ethnobotany Urban Farming with a Sustainable Planet, People, and Profit Approach
2023Suswadi, Norbertus Citra Irawan · Kufa Journal for Agricultural Sciences · Indonesia
This study investigated urban communities' perceptions of how ethnobotanical practices and urban farming relate to planet, people, and profit in achieving "city healing," surveying 150 respondents in five major Indonesian cities. Analysis using structural equation modeling and partial least squares showed that people, planet, and profit generally have excellent and significant effects on urban farming ethnobotany, and the use of ethnobotanical practices has a considerable and beneficial impact on urban health.
CommunityBiodiversityEconomicsHealthFood sovereignty & justiceURBAN HORTICULTURE: A PATH TO SELF-RELIANCE AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY
2023Belal Ahmad, Gaurav Kumar · KAAV PUBLICATIONS eBooks · Global
This paper discusses urban horticulture as the integration of plants with the urban environment. In developing nations, urban gardening already makes a major contribution to food security and nutrition, and many urban areas worldwide are attempting to improve sustainability by encouraging urban farming and increasing urban greenery. New approaches like vertical gardening and hydroponics are suggested to improve existing urban cropping systems, ensuring access to fresh produce.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityDIYCOVID-19 lockdowns and associated shocks: Lessons from farming households’ resilience to food and nutrition insecurity in Cameroon
2023Neville N. Suh, Richard A. Nyiawung, Ernest L. Molua, Rossella Bottone, Canan Abay · World Development Sustainability · Cameroon
This study in Cameroon explored the association between farming households' resilience and food/nutrition insecurity during COVID-19 lockdowns. Focus group discussions identified shocks and response strategies, followed by an in-depth study of 249 farming households. Econometric modeling revealed that COVID-19 shocks adversely affected food and nutrition security and reduced resilience capacity. However, existing adaptive capacity and access to basic services significantly contributed to resilience, with female-headed and semi-urban households showing greater resilience.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureNurturing soil-adarities
2023Bethaney Turner · · Global
This chapter explored human-soil relations in urban home and community gardens through ethnographic fieldwork. While biodiverse soil offers direct health benefits, the presence of contaminated, toxic soils, prevalent in lower socio-economic neighborhoods, was shown to expose inequities in access to safe gardening sites and hinder the realization of potential therapeutic benefits. It argues that the therapeutic benefits of gardens are best realized when humans cultivate attentive relationships with myriad multispecies companions.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthBiodiversityOrganic cycleWelfareDuring COVID-19, Californians sought food security, connection and solace in their gardens
2023Lucy Diekmann, Summer Cortez, Pauline Marsh, Jonathan Kingsley, Monika Egerer, Brenda B. Lin, Alessandro Ossola · California Agriculture · United States (California)
A survey of 603 home and community gardeners across California was conducted between June and August 2020 to assess trends in gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gardens were valued as therapeutic spaces to escape pandemic stress and as safe outdoor places for socializing. Concerns about food supply led to increased interest in growing food for security and self-sufficiency, though 62% of home gardeners struggled to access gardening supplies.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeImplementasi Program Pertanian Perkotaan Pada Kelompok Tani Subur Makmur di Kelurahan Pagesangan Kecamatan Jambangan Kota Surabaya
2023Vivi Eriyanti, Arimurti Kriswibowo · NeoRespublica Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This qualitative descriptive study examined the implementation of an urban agriculture program by the Surabaya City Government within the Subur Makmur farmer group in Pagesangan Village, Jambangan District, Surabaya. Using observation, interviews, and documentation, and Korten's three-element theory, the research found that the program's implementation by the target group yielded good results in improving community welfare and empowerment. The program aims to optimize family economy, health, and living standards by utilizing vacant land for urban farming.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsHealthSocial gastronomy initiatives in Copenhagen, Denmark for food security, sustainability and health
2023Charlotte Siiger · European Journal of Public Health · Denmark (Copenhagen)
The "Green Sustainable Communities" project in Copenhagen, Denmark, developed social gastronomy methods to empower lower socio-economic households with sustainable, healthy, and affordable cooking practices. Interventions included community meals, gardening, and food courses, utilizing surplus fruits, vegetables, and affordable legumes. These initiatives promoted affordable, climate-friendly, and healthy diets, increasing social wellbeing and improving nutrition.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareFood sovereignty & justiceDesenvolvimento sustentável e gênero: mulheres protagonistas na produção de alimentos
2023Maria Cecília Barreto Amorim Pilla, Cilene da Silva Gomes Ribeiro, Taciane Eloisa de Camargo · Ágora · Brazil
This research aims to analyze the historical, economic, and sociocultural processes that create the gender dimension within sustainable development and the emancipation of vulnerable women. It highlights that urban agriculture initiatives, such as community gardens, mobilize communities to transform degraded spaces into healthy ones, providing vegetables and fostering social interaction. The study emphasizes the need for women's inclusion in public policy to achieve legal, political, and social equality, thereby empowering them and reducing vulnerability.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyHealthEconomicsPlant growth and microbial responses from urban agriculture soils amended with excavated local sediments and municipal composts
2023Jordi Guimera Garcia, Natalie Bray, Yowhan Son, Aleah L. Butler-Jones, Sara Perl Egendorf, Jenny Kao‐Kniffin · Journal of Urban Ecology · United States (New York City)
In New York City, a study investigated plant growth (tomato, pepper, kale) in soils constructed from four municipal composts mixed with sediments from the NYC Clean Soil Bank, to assess the potential for safe urban agricultural soils. While Clean Soil Bank sediments enhanced plant growth when mixed with BRL compost, they also negatively impacted tomato aboveground biomass production by 29% in LES compost and tomato plant height by 18% in QBG compost, indicating variable effects depending on compost properties.
Contamination & food safetyCompostOrganic cycleHealthClimate changeProductivity and Efficiency of Community Gardens: Case Studies from the UK
2023Silvio Caputo, Victoria Schoen, Chris Blythe · Land · United Kingdom (London)
Data was collected from seven community gardens and one community farm in London, UK, during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons using a citizen science approach, investigating crop yield, resource inputs, and social benefits. Results showed very mixed levels of crop and social productivity depending on organizational structure and agenda, with no clear pattern emerging. This study suggests that citywide productivity evaluations based on small data samples may not be reliable.
Limited or null effectCommunityEconomicsHealthClimate changeBUDIDAYA TANAMAN ORGANIK DI RT 10/RW 03 KELURAHAN TIRTA JAYA SUKMAJAYA DEPOK
2023Setiyono, Roswan, Randy Napitupulu · Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Darma Saskara · Indonesia (Depok)
In the RT10/RW03 Tirtajaya Depok area of Indonesia, approximately 1500 m2 of unused land was utilized for organic vegetable cultivation to meet local household food needs. Corn was intercropped with vegetables such as pokcoy and mustard greens, with land preparation conducted by local residents in collaboration with Gunadarma University's Agrotechnology team. This initiative is expected to yield results in about three months, supporting the local economy, environmental health, and community cohesion.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthHow learning gardens foster well-being and development through the promotion of purposeful play in early childhood and beyond
2023Elizabeth J. Pope, Sallie A. Marston, Moses Thompson, Scott A. Larson · Theory Into Practice · Global
A literature review explored how learning gardens foster well-being and development through purposeful play in early childhood and beyond. Drawing on frameworks from self-determination theory, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology, school gardens were shown to provide opportunities for purposeful play, supporting children's well-being, cognitive and identity development, and positive emotional experiences. Reported benefits in the literature include satisfying basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, increased positive emotions, opportunities for cognitive and emotional renewal, and tangible evidence of student effort.
Food educationHealthCommunityHeavy metal contamination of vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas. An overview
2023Gerhard Fischer, F. Fischer · Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Hortícolas · Global
This overview, based on the ScienceDirect database, addresses heavy metal (HM) contamination in vegetables from urban and peri-urban areas. It notes that HMs like Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, and As accumulate to toxic levels in the soil-plant-consumer continuum, causing health damage to consumers and physiological alterations in plants. Leafy and solanaceous vegetables accumulate the most HMs, while cucurbits and legumes are least affected.
Contamination & food safetyHealthClimate changeLosing the Plot: The Impact of Urban Agriculture on Household Food Expenditure and Dietary Diversity in Sub-Saharan African Countries
2023Navjot Sangwan, Luca Tasciotti · Agriculture · Sub-Saharan Africa
This cross-country study analyzed household data from nine Sub-Saharan African countries to investigate the impact of urban agriculture (UA) on household food expenditure and dietary diversity. Using an inverse-probability weighted regression adjustment method, the study found that households engaged in UA reduced overall food expenditure and increased spending on protein-rich foods like nuts, legumes, fruits, dairy, meat, and poultry. The impact of UA varied substantially across the food expenditure distribution.
EconomicsHealthFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureUrban soils. Principles and practice, by Andrew W. Rate (Editor)
2023Remigio Paradelo · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Global
The book "Urban soils. Principles and practice," edited by Andrew W. Rate, provides abundant information on the properties and functioning of urban soils, covering topics such as their genesis, spatial variability, functions, contamination, and remediation techniques. The book also details general soil science concepts and serves as a potential textbook. It notes that urban soils exhibit higher spatial variability than naturally formed soils, driven by human decisions.
Organic cycleHealth