Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1626 results(24 / 66)
Initial assessment to understand the effect of air temperature on bees as floral visitors in urban orchards
2023María José Ludewig, Patricia Landaverde‐González, Klaus‐Peter Götz, Frank‐M. Chmielewski · Journal of Insect Conservation · Global
This study assessed bee visits to experimental blueberry and cherry orchards in an urban landscape to understand how air temperature affects the pollination contribution of honey bees and wild bees. Bumble bees and honey bees were the most important floral visitors, followed by Anthophora plumipes. Honey bees' potential contribution to pollination services decreased with air temperature changes, but this was offset by the niche complementarity of bumble bees.
PollinatorsBiodiversityClimate changeAGROFLORESTA URBANA COMUNITÁRIA
2023Marina Carboni, Vitoria Maria Domingues Moço · Revista Fatecnológica da Fatec-Jahu · Brazil
This paper presents a project proposal for an urban agroforestry system combined with a community garden in Brazil. The project aims to revitalize a 2,500m² urban green area currently lacking leisure attractions and adequate tree cover. The plan includes planting 35 trees of 8 fruit species and 9 vegetable species, and fencing the area to prevent theft and vandalism. The project is expected to offer vegetables and fruits to the local population, promote environmental education, and enhance ecosystem services such as temperature reduction and increased rainwater infiltration.
CommunityFood educationBiodiversityClimate changeO papel da agricultura urbana e periurbana na segurança alimentar global do pós-guerra à crise da covid-19: novas perspectivas em justiça alimentar, saúde global e sustentabilidade,
2023Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global
This article discusses the evolution of the concept of food and nutritional security (FNS) internationally, from post-World War II to the COVID-19 crisis, and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to this agenda. Based on a critical literature review, the study notes that institutional responses to FNS often focus on crises and prioritize unsustainable globalized food systems. UPA practices have seen periods of rise and decline, evolving alongside the FNS agenda, and the article concludes by discussing the need to incorporate concepts of justice, global health, and a multidimensional view of sustainability into FNS and UPA discussions.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changePeri-urban agricultureProducción urbana de alimentos: una contribución al cumplimiento de los ODS. Una experiencia desde la proyección social universitaria
2023Luis Carlos Estupiñán Aponte · Repositorio Institucional UPTC · Global
This project explores urban and peri-urban agriculture as a viable, though not comprehensive, solution to food vulnerability in urban areas, where access to food is often limited by purchasing power. It applies circular economy and agroecological principles, utilizing available resources for garden assembly, processing plant waste into fertilizers, and employing botanical and microbiological controls for phytosanitary management. The initiative emphasizes broad community participation, knowledge exchange, and the creation of social spaces to enhance food and nutrition security.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsClimate changeOrganic cycleMeasures for achieving sustainable environment to mitigate climate change in Africa
2023Bismark Osei, Mark Edem Kunawotor, Paul Appiah-Konadu · International Journal of Social Economics · Africa
This study examined measures for achieving a sustainable environment to mitigate climate change in 54 African countries from 2000 to 2020, using panel data and a Cox proportional hazard model. Findings indicate that carbon farming, rooftop gardens, and renewable energy positively contribute to a sustainable environment. However, governance adversely affects the objective of achieving a sustainable environment.
Governance failureClimate changePolicyDIYUrban–rural linkageThe role of Design Thinking to promote a sustainability transition within participatory urban governance: Insights from urban agriculture initiatives in Lisbon
2023Sandrine Simon · Urban Governance · Portugal (Lisbon)
This study examined urban agricultural initiatives in Lisbon, Portugal, and their integration into urban planning strategies for sustainability, using Design Thinking methodology for a literature review. The integration of urban agriculture into urban planning is identified as a complex problem due to conflicting goals among actors. The research suggests that Design Thinking could assist urban planners in addressing this challenge by providing flexible, iterative, and participatory approaches.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUnderstanding Multiple Ecosystem Services of Urban Agriculture Across Scales
2023Jiangxiao Qiu, Hui Zhao · EDIS · Global
This overview identified eight ecosystem services generally attributed to urban agriculture, including food production, microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and social-cultural values. However, the study found that quantitative evidence for many of these ecosystem services, especially intangible ones, is scarce. It suggests that while urban agriculture could be integral to green infrastructure, further consideration is needed for types, technology, management, and potential tradeoffs.
Methodological critiqueBiodiversityClimate changeHealthOrganic cyclePolicyCommunityANÁLISE DE PROJETOS DE ARQUITETURA E URBANISMO, COM VIÉS NA PRODUÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL DE ALIMENTOS
2023Luíza Malvessi Lagemann, Luciana Turatti, Rodrigo Spinelli · Revista Destaques Acadêmicos · Global
This paper conducted a literature review of architecture and urban planning projects to find alternatives to mitigate problems of the current food system, such as processed foods, reduced access for small producers, and high environmental pollution. Ten projects focusing on urban agriculture and healthier food production were analyzed. Ultimately, it was observed that it is possible to construct architectural and urban planning projects that contribute to more sustainable food production, especially in urban areas and with the use of urban agriculture.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justicePolicyClimate changeThe 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 linkageCommunity agroecology. Basis for food resilience in the face of extreme events
2023Luis L. Vázquez · Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering · Cuba
This study analyzed Cuba's transition towards decentralized and diversified agriculture, driven by peasant family farming and urban agriculture movements in response to the economic crisis since the 1990s. It found that agroecology has become popular in human settlements, facilitating population participation in small-area production systems such as intensive and organoponic gardens. These systems enable communities to obtain over 40 fresh products for local consumption.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeInventory of Urban Building Roof Space and Analysis of Agricultural Production Potential—A Case Study
2023Xiaojing Wang, Xiaoguang Zhang · Applied Sciences · China (Qingdao)
This study evaluated the agricultural production potential of urban rooftop spaces in Shibei District, Qingdao, China, using GIS spatial analysis. After analyzing inventory standards for idle rooftop space and conducting statistical analysis, the research found that the rooftop area of urban buildings in Shibei District is 383.3 hectares, with an annual vegetable production potential of 25,800 tons, capable of supplying 184,300 urban residents. It concluded that the idle rooftop area in cities and its potential for agricultural production are significant.
DIYClimate changeEconomicsEvidence on how urban gardens help citizens and cities to enhance sustainable development. Review and bibliometric analysis
2023Alexandra Ribeiro, Lívia Madureira, Raquel Carvalho · Landscape and Urban Planning · Global
This paper conducted a bibliometric analysis of published research on urban gardens, using Vosviewer software and the Web of Science database. The analysis identified four research clusters: 'Citizens' (people, lifestyle, community), 'Drivers' (motivations, purposes, benefits), 'Cities' (contribution to urban sustainability, hindered by lack of policy recognition), and 'Soil' (sustainability shortcomings due to soil contamination on vacant land). The study concluded that urban garden research is directly related to sustainable development, but the issue receives little importance, with most studies being case studies and economic pressure affecting sustainability.
CommunityClimate changePolicyEconomicsTeachers and students use of systems thinking about their participation in school environmental clubs
2023Richard Beach · Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy · Global
This study analyzed the perceptions of three English teachers and three students participating in two high school environmental clubs, using a critical inquiry systems thinking framework. Interviews explored their views on the purposes, outcomes, norms, and beliefs of energy/transportation, agriculture/food production, and economic systems impacting climate change. Teachers and students critiqued these systems for leading to negative climate change outcomes and engaged in sustainability practices like planting school gardens and supporting recycling/composting.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleThe food-water-energy nexus and green roofs in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, and Johannesburg, South Africa
2023Fanxin Meng, Qiuling Yuan, Rodrigo A. Bellezoni, José A. Puppim de Oliveira, Yuanchao Hu, Rui Jing, Gengyuan Liu, Zhifeng Yang, Karen C. Seto · npj Urban Sustainability · Brazil (São Paulo)
A framework was developed to analyze the food-water-energy nexus of green roofs in data-sparse cities, integrating environmental costs and benefits. Testing this framework in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and Johannesburg, South Africa, revealed that green roofs are carbon neutral but net energy consumers from a life cycle perspective. São José dos Campos is a net water beneficiary, while Johannesburg is a net water consumer, and rainwater utilization, though saving irrigated water, requires 1.2 times more energy.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageA lifecycle analysis approach to the impact of green roofs on the structural and thermal performances of buildings
2023Sasan Khademi Kalantari, Mohammad Raoof Rashedi, Rojina Ehsani, Fariborz M. Tehrani · · Global
This paper addresses the lifecycle analysis of green roofs in hot summer Mediterranean climates, such as Rome, Italy, to optimize their application for sustainability. Green roofs can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by lowering roof temperatures, but they also impact building weight and construction costs. The study aims to translate energy consumption into greenhouse gas emissions and measure water and waste related to structural or thermal operations, providing insights for building professionals.
Climate changeBiodiversityMODEL PENGEMBANGAN PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN (URBAN FARMING) BERKELANJUTAN
2023Tien Sugihartini, Dedi Djuliansah, Zulfikar Noormansyah · JURNAL ILMIAH MAHASISWA AGROINFO GALUH · Indonesia
This study was conducted in 10 districts of Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, involving 100 urban farming actors. It aimed to analyze the performance of urban farming and its influencing factors in Tasikmalaya City, and to formulate a sustainable urban farming development model using SEM WarpPLS 7.0. The findings indicate that urban farming performance in Tasikmalaya City positively influences sustainable agriculture, and that actor characteristics and supporting institutions affect urban farming performance.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceGesellschaftliche Raumverhältnisse als nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftliche Perspektive auf ‚Raum‘, ‚Natur‘ und ‚Geschlecht‘. Das Fallbeispiel Urban Gardening
2023Tanja Mölders · · Global
"Societal Spatial Relations as a Sustainability Science Perspective on 'Space', 'Nature', and 'Gender'. The Case Study Urban Gardening" was published on page 39 of Gender und Diversity in Natur-, Technik- und Planungswissenschaften.
CommunityPolicyClimate change‘We’ve Never Done This Before’
2023Jen Rae · Performance Research · Australia (Melbourne)
During the 2020-21 COVID-19 lockdowns, Fawkner Commons in Melbourne, Australia, transformed a community garden into an urban farm and a disused lawn bowling club into a food hub. This initiative, led by local residents, distributed over $116,000 worth of no-cost/low-cost culturally relevant food boxes and over 2,400 prepared meals in 2020 to the food-insecure suburb of Fawkner. This article reflects on the creative methodologies that supported Fawkner Commons' success in providing food relief when other organizations were overwhelmed.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareClimate changeDesigning and Creating a Model Garden to Demonstrate Carbon Reduction† - Case Study of Carbon Reduction Model Garden at the Sejong National Arboretum -
2023Byunghoon Park, Jayoo Seo · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea
This study designed and constructed a model garden at the Sejong National Arboretum, South Korea, to provide scientific data on the carbon-reducing functions of gardens. The experimental area was divided to analyze carbon reduction effects based on biochar amount, planting density, and plant species. The model garden incorporated rainwater utilization facilities and low-carbon certified materials, with the carbon reduction effect of each facility and construction method compared.
CommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleOccurrence 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 changePreparing Urban Agriculture as a Tool for Food Security in a Municipality: A Case Study of the Huay Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Dok Khamtai District, Phayao Province, Thailand
2023Chomchid Phromsin, Orasa Suksawang · Sustainability · Thailand (Phayao)
This research surveyed 80 farm households in Huay Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Thailand, between December 2018 and January 2019, to examine socio-economic and environmental conditions and the potential of urban agriculture for food security. The study found uncertainties in future food security due to labor shortages, low productivity, low income, and chemical use. Spatial clustering identified weaknesses and development opportunities, suggesting a farmer coalition could enhance food security through collective efforts.
Economic viabilityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeUrban–rural linkageSoil bacterial community composition and diversity respond to soil environment in rooftop agricultural system
2023Mengdi Dai, Xiangfeng Tan, Ziran Ye, Bojun Li, Yi Zhang, Xuting Chen, Dedong Kong · Environmental Technology & Innovation · Global
This study analyzed 15 soil samples from three sampling sites (original soil, after a seven-year natural cycle, and after a seven-year microcirculation system) to investigate soil properties, bacterial communities, and their relationships in a rooftop farm. The microcirculation system was shown to effectively improve the soil environment and bacterial community by increasing total nitrogen and total organic carbon contents by approximately 2 and 3.5 times, respectively.
Organic cycleBiodiversityClimate changeProgram Penguatan Ketahanan Pangan, Pengelolaan Sampah, Air dan Sanitasi Guna Mewujudkan Kampung Iklim Kelurahan Tugurejo
2023Muhammad Abbi Fahrezy Sutikno, Dwi Rahmawati, Yonika Sindiana Prahmani, Amnan Haris, Tiara Dwi Wulandari, Desy Fitria Astutianingtyas · Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)
Tugurejo Village in Semarang City, Indonesia, faces disaster risks due to land use changes. A community service program was implemented to enhance the climate village program in this area. Through qualitative data collection and program formulation, four programs were successfully developed: urban farming, urban aquaculture, rainwater harvesting, and waste bank programs.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleUrban Agriculture Overview of Sustainability Using GRA Methodology
2023· Building Materials and Engineering Structures · United States
This study examines the significance of seeds in defining sustainability within urban agriculture, which is viewed as an agricultural operation in a non-rural setting emphasizing communication, education, and farm goods. Using Gray-associated analysis, the study evaluated various crops, finding that spring beans received the highest rank and autumn beans the lowest.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeOrganic cycleDuring 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 change