Research & reports

Sean M. Crotty · California History · United States (California)

Pascale Joassart-Marcelli's book "The $16 Taco" examines how food and power intersect to create landscapes of hunger and plenty in U.S. cities, using San Diego as a case study. It argues for the centrality of food in broader structural issues of social, political, and cultural inequalities, which manifest as material inequality. The book explores the impacts of food apartheid, a system of segregation that prevents certain groups from accessing nourishment, and explains the role of racist real estate practices in devaluing neighborhoods of immigrants and people of color.

Maria 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.

Jordi 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.

Sarah Dimick · Critique Studies in Contemporary Fiction · United States (Minneapolis)

This study reflects on guerrilla gardening and its narratives by intersecting Eleanor Catton’s novel Birnam Wood with descriptions of gardens at police killing sites in the greater Minneapolis metro area. It argues that guerrilla garden infrastructures sprout in the soil of highly unequal power, often in the wake of the fatal exercise of state power, and in the shadow of a foreshortened environmental future. These are DIY infrastructures constructed by people weathering entwined environmental, political, and economic crises in the 21st century.

Júlio Barêa Pastore, Paulo Henrique Honorato · Ornamental Horticulture · Brazil (Brasília)

The "Jardim de Sequeiro" is a naturalistic, seasonal rainfed gardening technique developed at the University of Brasilia, Brazil. The first experimental garden, over 5,000 square meters of rooftop gardens, was planted at the Instituto Central de Ciências. It relies entirely on rainfall and withers during winter drought, functioning as a temporary installation redesigned annually. Its first cycle ran from December 2020 to May 2021, yielding promising results despite pandemic difficulties.

Dilafruz R. Williams · · United States (Portland)

This chapter describes how courses at Portland State University have integrated sustainability themes to engage students with marginalized communities affected by ecological injustices. The 10-acre Learning Gardens Laboratory provides hands-on experiences in food cultivation, nutrition, and composting, fostering garden-based education as a means to address ecological and human oppression.

E-Mag, Josh , Sophia , Star · Universitätsbibliothek der LMU · United States (New York City)

This document is the July 1, 2007, issue of "Earth First!," an e-magazine republished by the Environment & Society Portal. It features articles on various environmental and social activism topics, including the defense of New York City’s community gardens, legal issues faced by activists, and critiques of unsustainable activism. The publication includes an editorial by Dr. Hyena and notes that views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Rachel Carson Center.

Eri Saikawa, Erin Lebow-Skelley, Rosario Hernandez, Faith Flack-Walker, Leann Bing, Candis M. Hunter · Journal of Public Health Management and Practice · United States (Atlanta)

In Atlanta, Georgia, in-person and virtual Soil Screening, Health, Outreach and Partnerships (soilSHOPs) were implemented through a community-engaged partnership to screen soils for lead. These soilSHOPs informed best practices for increasing awareness about lead exposure and led the US Environmental Protection Agency to identify a Superfund site, confirming soil lead contamination.

Austin Thompson‐Spain, Kyle S. Bunds, Lincoln R. Larson, Bethany B. Cutts, J. Aaron Hipp · Sustainable Development · United States

This scoping review examines funding and financing mechanisms for nature-based solutions and their impact on social equity in the United States. It finds that market-driven nature-based solutions can contribute to an inequitable distribution of urban ecosystem services. The distribution of benefits is influenced by local contexts, decision-making inclusion, and payment mechanisms, suggesting disparities in access for diverse and marginalized populations.

Adithya Vegaraju, Solmaz Amiri · Neurology · United States (Washington)

This study assessed the associations between proximity to green and blue spaces and Serious Psychological Distress (SPD) among urban-dwelling older adults in Washington State. The 2011–2019 dataset from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was utilized to assess SPD among residents aged 65 and over. Approximately 2% of urban-dwelling older adults had SPD. The odds of experiencing SPD were lower among urban-dwelling adults living within half a mile of green or blue spaces compared to those living further than half a mile from such spaces within Washington State.

Posgrado en Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso Integral del Agua, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Chapingo, Estado de México, México, Hugo Antonio Fernández, R. Salazar, Posgrado en Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso Integral del Agua, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Chapingo, Estado de México, México, E. Fitz-Rodríguez, Posgrado en Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso Integral del Agua, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Chapingo, Estado de México, México, I.L. López-Cruz, Posgrado en Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso Integral del Agua, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Chapingo, Estado de México, México, Uwe Schmidt, Dennis Dannehl · Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua · Mexico (Mexico City)

Yields and water productivity of romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes were investigated in 13 urban gardens in Mexico City. Lettuce yields ranged from 0.10 to 1.20 kg m-2 with water use efficiency from 0.21 to 2.93 kg m-3, while cherry tomato yields ranged from 0.25 to 3.40 kg m-2 with water use efficiency from 0.32 to 5.52 kg m-3. Irrigation in these gardens is empirically done using potable water, showing an excess water supply of 0.27 to 0.4 m3 m-2 for a complete cycle of lettuce and cherry tomatoes.

Rudra Dahal, Kamala Adhikari, Karen Tang · Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health · Canada

This paper discusses how record-high inflation rates and skyrocketing food prices in Canada exacerbate food insecurity, defined as inadequate food access due to financial constraints. Food insecurity is identified as a strong predictor of poor physical and mental health, higher mortality rates for those with chronic conditions, and increased healthcare utilization and costs. The paper suggests a comprehensive approach combining short-term solutions like community gardens and long-term policy interventions to address the root cause of inadequate income.

Cleberson Saraiva · Revista Contexto Geográfico · Brazil (Serra)

This study investigated the relationship between the multifunctionality of urban agriculture and cultivated plants in the public spaces of the popular urban neighborhood Jardim Tropical, Serra-ES, Brazil. Using bibliographic, documentary, and field research, it found that these cultivated plants form a public green landscape. This landscape facilitates social relations for environmental revitalization and comfort, small-scale production of food and natural medicines, leisure, and social interaction, promoting a sense of belonging and characterizing urban agriculture's multifunctionality.

Márcia Emília Moreira De Luca, Carlos Alfredo Franco Cardoso, Gabriel Schwambach Del Piero, Vinícius Feitoza Xavier · Revista da Jopic. · Brazil (Teresópolis)

This study implemented community medicinal gardens in two Basic Health Units and a nursing home in Teresópolis, Brazil, to promote health education and raise awareness about the risks of improper medicinal plant use. Five plants with therapeutic benefits were chosen, and seedlings were offered to patients alongside discussion groups. This initiative aimed to provide information on basic health, facilitate access to plants, reduce medication costs, and indirectly increase family income.

Catherine Campbell · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This publication provides an overview of commercial urban agriculture in Florida, detailing the size, production methods, and market channels used by urban farms. It also discusses urban farmers’ perceptions regarding the barriers, opportunities, and needs for their operations. The publication was written by Catherine G. Campbell and published in May 2023.

Patricia Mehner-Karam, C. Gutiérrez, Juan M. Casillas Pintor, Miranda Ori-Orlansino, D A Perez-DeLaMora, Mariana Ruiz-Morales, E. G. Hernández-Martínez · Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies · Mexico (Mexico City)

This study achieved the design and implementation of a raised bed urban garden to be tested in western neighborhoods of Mexico City. The project comprised four stages: design and development of the prototype garden, selection of a vegetable palette to promote immunonutrition, production of educational materials for planting and care, and validation. Urban gardens offering diverse plant species easy to grow in urban microclimates promote a sustainable culture by leveraging new technologies and virtual education, which help ensure their use and permanence.

R Verissimo, Silvana Aparecida Alves, Adalberto da Silva, Ana Maria Lombardi Daibem · Risco Revista de Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Urbanismo (Online) · Brazil (Bauru)

This research investigates green and gray infrastructure in Bauru/SP, Brazil, comparing controlled access allotments (Pq. Residencial Paineiras and Jardim Shangri-Lá) with favelas (Ferradura Mirim and Jardim Nicéia). It aims to study green infrastructure as an expression of sociospatial inequalities perpetuated by urban planning. Through analyses and cartographies, the study evaluates the current urban panorama and challenges for mitigating social, environmental, and urbanistic inequalities.

Marcia Muñoz, Ventocilla, D., Fonseca , C., Pradel, W. · · Peru (Lima)

In 2022, Peru faced significant food insecurity, with 16.6 million Peruvians affected. The Institute of Development and Environment (IDMA) and the International Potato Center (CIP) organized an awareness campaign for World Food Day, focusing on agroecological family farming in Metropolitan Lima's Valleys. The campaign highlighted the role of small farmers in food production and the importance of urban agriculture in supplying common soup kitchens in low-resource areas.

Ulises Charles-Rodriguez, Aiat Aborawi, Kamal Khatiwada, Ashmita Shahi, Silvia Koso, Savanna Prociw, Christa Sanford, Richard Larouche · Global Health Promotion · Canada

This article describes a community-based participatory evaluation (CBPE) of a community garden for immigrants in Southern Alberta, Canada. Participants, interpreters, and organizers were engaged through surveys, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews. The garden fostered learning and healthy behaviors, but organizational and communication challenges were identified, with findings used to adapt activities and expand programming.

Larissa Bizon, Marco Aurélio Soares de Castro · Revista AIDIS de Ingeniería y Ciencias Ambientales Investigación desarrollo y práctica · Brazil

This study aimed to address gaps regarding waste generated in aquaponics systems and their management practices in Brazil. A systematic review identified waste streams, and a survey of producers in 17 of Brazil's 27 federal units confirmed sludge, packaging waste, dead fish, and unusable plant fractions as typical waste streams. The survey indicated a lack of concern for in-depth assessment of these streams to improve management practices, which tended towards adequate and inadequate disposal.

Bruna Trevisan Negri · Geoingá Revista do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia (PGE/UEM) · Brazil (Regente Feijó)

The formation, dynamics, and characteristics of the peri-urban space in the municipality of Regente Feijó, São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Through a bibliographic review and satellite image analysis, results showed that Regente Feijó's peri-urban area is multifunctional, hosting both urban activities like industries and rural activities such as urban and peri-urban agriculture. Key processes of peri-urbanization, including the marginalization of low-income urban populations through state investments and self-segregation, were also identified.

Angele Proust, Maura Neves Coutinho · Confins · Brazil

Public policies for urban agriculture and food in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte face the challenge of considering a perpetually changing territory due to metropolization. Urban agriculture is presented as a political practice that renews the vision of the metropolis and encourages new resistance practices. It is argued that urban agriculture holds a political position in the city, fostering alliances between metropolitan, municipal, and local scales.

Aldira Guimarães Duarte Domínguez, Diogo Isao Santos Sakai, Alba Evangelista Ramos, Camila Dias de Aragão, Erivan de Jesus Santos, Gleice Kelly Campelo Barbosa, Hisa Dutra Alves, Julia Maria de Oliveira Compan, Plácido Lima Ferreira Sobrinho, Satyam Bömer Dienstmann, Vinicius Araujo Gonçalves · LaSUS FAU eBooks · Brazil

This book presents the fundamentals of a multi-professional course in CTS (Science, Technology, and Society) developed within a graduate program at the University of Brasília. The course socially integrates four interdisciplinary themes: Habitat, Agroecology, Health, and Associated Work, aiming to form a transdisciplinary epistemological base in Solidarity Technoscience.

Samantha Bosco, Bradley G. Thomas · Ethnobiology Letters · United States

The Skarù·ręʔ (Tuscarora) Food Forest Project is a community-based initiative in ancestral Haudenosaunee territories (New York State) demonstrating the contemporary contributions of temperate nut trees to Indigenous food systems. This project aims to address social justice concerns in agricultural science by providing a methodological testing ground for reconciliation-based and decolonial participatory action research. It expands ongoing food sovereignty, community health, and education initiatives, highlighting nuts as important, yet lesser-known, woodland foods.

Perci Coelho de Souza, Letícia Miguel Teixeira, Cinthia Mariane Nolaço de Oliveira, Clarissa Sapori Avelar, Gabriel Ribeiro Couto, Geraldo Fábio Alves de Souza, Juliana Leal Santana, Kamila Dos Santos Pita, Sarah Lima Cirino · LaSUS FAU eBooks · Brazil

This book presents the fundamentals of a multidisciplinary CTS (Science, Technology, and Society) course developed within a graduate program at the University of Brasília, Brazil. The course socially and territorially integrates four interdisciplinary themes: Habitat, Agroecology, Health, and Associated Work. Offered in 2021, it integrated 15 master's and doctoral students with over 50 individuals from social movements, professionals, government technicians, researchers, and undergraduate students, forming a transdisciplinary epistemological base in Solidarity Technoscience.