Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
2091 results(25 / 84)
Urban garden as a water reservoir in an urban area – a literature review
2023Wawan Setiawan, B J Gawryszewska · Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences (SREES) · Global
This study is a literature review aiming to show that contemporary researchers recognize the potential of urban gardening in improving urban retention. A meta-analysis of peer-reviewed scientific articles from databases like Web of Sciences, Science Direct, Springer, and MDPI was performed, defining urban garden retention indicators such as rainwater/stormwater infrastructure, watering systems, and planting type. The analysis of article distribution noted an overrepresentation from North America and an absence from South America.
Climate changeCommunityUrban–rural linkage“It’s Not Only Our Task”
2023Krista Willman · ACME · Finland (Tampere)
This article explores the "operational space" of urban community gardening (CG) from the viewpoint of city officials in Tampere, Finland. Two rounds of interviews with eight officials and discourse analysis were used, and the operational space, shaped by administrative policies and practices, was found to be rather rigid and narrow. Five main discourses aimed to enable urban gardening but were restricted to strategic, limited, and instrumental levels, as political-strategic aims contradicted administrative practices, and cautiousness and unclarity in the administrative-political culture led to institutional ambiguity.
Governance failureCommunityPolicySocial 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 & justiceToward a sustainable Wyndham: An agriculture-led action for the food security of Wyndham, Australia
2023Jialing Xie · · Australia (Wyndham)
Wyndham, one of Australia's fastest-growing communities, faces increased urbanization and pressure on its socio-ecological environment, leading to growing food insecurity. This paper aims to explore agriculture-based resilient community development to achieve food security in Wyndham. Through a critical review of relevant literature and case studies on implementing a pilot site design approach, the paper presents necessary actions for urban farming practices at their current scale and reviews opportunities and barriers to scaling up these practices under future risks like climate change and sea-level rise.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeCommunityPolicyEconomicsHousing and Food Production: Resident and Grower Perceptions of Peri-Urban Food-Production Landscapes
2023Shannon Davis, Guanyu Chen, Naomi Darvill · Land · New Zealand
In Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand, surveys explored perceptions of peri-urban residents and food producers regarding food growing in the peri-urban zone. Over 90% of residents expressed positive views towards local food production, though they raised concerns about environmental and health impacts, particularly water quality, and limited access to local food. Conversely, food producers reported less positive experiences due to various operational issues in the peri-urban zone.
Peri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkagePolicyCommunityStrengths and Weaknesses of Non-chemical Weed Management Strategies in Small-scale Vegetable Production
2023Mahbuba Ferdous · Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research · Australia (Armidale)
This case study investigated non-chemical weed management strategies in a small-scale vegetable garden in Armidale, Australia, through observation and an in-depth, unstructured interview with the garden's convener. Growers primarily used mechanical and cultural methods, including mulching, hand weeding, tillage, and grazing, to manage weed infestation. While mulching with wood chips and hand weeding were considered more effective in minimizing weed competition during critical crop development periods, they could not reach a satisfactory level. Further improvements by integrating several approaches simultaneously are needed for more effective and economical weed control.
Limited or null effectCommunityOrganic cycleDIYHow 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 educationHealthCommunityUnderstanding vulnerability and resilience of urban food initiatives in Morocco
2023Patrizia Pugliese, Cosimo Rota, Fatima Zohra Sabrane, Marie Reine Bteich, E.J. Veen · · Morocco
A mixed-methods study of four urban agriculture initiatives in Morocco found that while all cases struggled with certain perturbations, some were able to turn them into more hopeful situations, whereas others could lead to new perturbations or increased vulnerability. The study concluded that the outcomes were highly case-specific and related to existing resources, highlighting the complex and fluid nature of these initiatives.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changePolicyAccessibility Analysis of Urban Green Space: The Case of Erbil City
2023Serkan Kemeç, Salar Hassan Abdalkarim · Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning · Iraq (Erbil)
This study, conducted in Erbil City in 2017 and 2020, measured the accessibility of public urban green spaces using network analysis with GIS. It found that for community parks, 68% of the population had access within 5 minutes travel time, while for mini parks, 22% had access within a 5-minute walk. This was the first known investigation into public green space accessibility in Erbil.
CommunityPolicyFood Production in the Cities of Tomorrow. The Results of International Questionnaire Surveys
2023Małgorzata Burchard‐Dziubińska · Comparative Economic Research Central and Eastern Europe · Global
This study aimed to gather information on the practical experience of young urban residents using urban horticulture and agriculture products, determine their readiness to practice such production independently in the future, and identify environmental benefits (ecosystem services) related to urban horticulture and agriculture indicated by respondents. A comparative study was conducted with students from 29 countries, including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Poland, and seven EU countries. The collected data were used to compare approaches to urban horticulture and agriculture and their produce across different countries and cultural backgrounds.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeGREEN as model urban gardening in school
2023Hanif, Nayudin · UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA) · Malaysia
An experimental study at the Indonesian School of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, introduced the "GREEN" urban gardening model to 34 high school students. The model, implemented through Project Based Learning, significantly improved students' knowledge scores from 64.85 to 76.77 and was found to effectively promote biodiversity, food, and learning experiences. Students perceived the model as engaging and user-friendly, contributing to enhanced activities and nutritional intake through fruits and vegetables.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityHealthBudidaya Ikan Nila Merah (Oreochromis SP.) Dengan Teknik Yumina Dan Bumina Sebagai Bisnis Yang Menguntungkan Bagi Masyarakat
2023Arfiana Dita Arum Sari, Dita Atasa, Yana Yana, Asep Syaefuddin, Dewi Suryani, Rhomi Ardiansyah · Faedah Jurnal Hasil Kegiatan Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia · Global
The Sustainable Urban Agriculture Practitioner (PPB) division of SEAMEO BIOTROP's internship activities focused on Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) cultivation using Yumina and Bumina techniques, suitable for urban areas. The activities encompassed seeding, maintenance, and treatment, aiming to provide knowledge, understanding, and skills for proper red tilapia cultivation to the community.
DIYFood educationEconomicsCommunity“Tur pilnīgi cita pasaule”: vides jautājumi Lucavsalas dārzkopju stāstos
2023Una Smilgaine · Aktuālās problēmas literatūras un kultūras pētniecībā rakstu krājums · Latvia (Riga)
This article explores the environmental issues reflected in the experience stories of 16 gardeners and locals on Lucavsala island, Riga, collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, audio recordings, and photography in 2021. Gardeners expressed environmental awareness through narratives about the island's geography, gardening practices, and environmental quality, with acquiring and managing a garden being a prominent theme. Despite mentions of waste, the environmental quality of Lucavsala was generally judged to be relatively high, with fresh air, peace, and quiet being important indicators.
CommunityWelfareClimate changeA citizen science report—Tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) in allotment gardens in Graz, Styria, Austria
2023Julia Reichl, Christina Proßegger, Bernhard Eichholzer, Pamina Plauder, Maria Sophia Unterköfler, Karin Lebl, Alexander Indra, Hans‐Peter Fuehrer · Parasitology Research · Austria
In allotment gardens and a second location in Graz, Styria, Austria, citizen scientists collected adult Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and eggs, which underwent morphological examination and DNA barcoding. A total of 217 eggs and 14 adult specimens were found, indicating that Aedes albopictus is already breeding in Graz. However, continued monitoring efforts are needed to determine if stable populations can survive there.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityCindy
2023Michelle Fishburne · · Global
This abstract describes a personal reflection on the sudden shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began on a Friday the thirteenth. The speaker mentions feeling isolated and the need for children to be together. They describe a two-week period of no instruction, during which they helped their mother and visited the school garden. The abstract then recounts the announcement of online learning and a subsequent teacher-only trial week.
Food educationCommunityFostering Sustainable Communities: Vital Role of Local Authorities in Urban Agriculture Practices in Strata Housing
2023Nurulanis Ahmad, Zarita Ahmad, Siti Nadiah Mohd Ali, Nor Aini Salleh, Fatemah Khozaei · Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal · Global
This study assessed the role of local authorities in urban agriculture practices within strata housing, addressing environmental pressures from urbanization. Through semi-structured interviews with City Council Y's COB Manager, findings indicated that local authorities can promote urban agriculture by creating policies and regulations and allocating public resources and funding. The study concluded that urban agriculture in strata housing contributes to resilient urban environments.
PolicyCommunityINTRODUCING AQUAPONIC AS THE URBAN FARMING MODEL FOR STUDENT’S KNOWLEDGE
2023Hanum Isfaeni, Naufal Ma’arif, Muhammad Zaki Ananda, Sayyid Izzudin Muslimin, Reza Dino Mahardika, Galang Adi Fathriko · Jurnal Layanan Masyarakat (Journal of Public Services) · Global
This activity aimed to introduce aquaponics as an urban farming model to students, fostering knowledge about modern agriculture and animal husbandry in urban areas. It involved 18 students and 1 accompanying teacher. The activity was carried out through discussion and demonstration of an aquaponic system.
Food educationDigital agricultureCommunityUrban agriculture and environmental sustainability
2023Gizaw Ebissa, Kumelachew Yeshitela, Hayal Desta, Aramde Fetene · Environment Development and Sustainability · Global
This study investigated urban agriculture's (UA) contributions to environmental sustainability (ES) using scholarly search engines. Findings indicate UA contributes to ES by mitigating greenhouse gases, urban heat island effects, and floods, while enhancing biodiversity and promoting agro-tourism. However, challenges such as lack of policy support, exclusion from urban land use planning, and urbanites' behavior towards UA products limit its full benefits.
Governance failureClimate changeBiodiversityPolicyCommunityAgriculture as a Catalyst for New Forms of Urban Habitat in Residential Architecture. A Case of Multi-Family and Mixed Housing Estates from 2010–2021 – European, American and Asian Context
2023Justyna Kleszcz · Architecture Civil Engineering Environment · Global
This 2023 article summarizes research on urban residential housing forms integrated with agriculture developed between 2010 and 2021 across North America, Asia, and Europe. The study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of contemporary architecture, examining both external form and internal structure of housing developments. Seven global case studies, including conceptual and completed projects, were selected to identify main trends and points generating structural changes in buildings connected with urban agriculture.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageFostering Sustainable Urban Farming in Malaysia: The Green Agenda of Urban Hijau
2023Cordelia Mason, Wan Mohd Hilmi Wan Ahmad · · Malaysia
This 2023 case study examines Urban Hijau, a social enterprise in Malaysia that promotes urban farming for sustainability. It describes Urban Hijau's origins and progression through various sustainable farming systems, including permaculture, and discusses the opportunities and challenges in urban farming and food security. The study concludes by posing questions about the significant contribution of small urban farms to the food industry and Urban Hijau's long-term sustainability.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeOrganic cycleStakeholder’s practices for the sustainability assessment of professional urban agriculture reveal numerous original criteria and indicators
2023Paola Clerino, Agnès Fargue‐Lelièvre, Jean-Marc Meynard · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · Global
This study investigated the sustainability assessment practices of professional intra-urban agriculture (PIUA) projects in the Global North, analyzing 19 case studies. Four dimensions underpinning sustainability assessment were identified: internal sustainability, external sustainability, the project leader’s credibility, and the innovative nature of the project. The study found 67 diverse assessment criteria and that 78% of indicators used were qualitative, noting that assessment practices evolve over time. The results enhance understanding of how PIUA project sustainability is assessed.
EconomicsPolicyCommunityClimate changeFlowers in the dark: The contribution of rooftop urban agriculture to human well-being in the Ein El-Hilweh Refugee Camp, Lebanon
2023Anisja Tarchahani, Jacqueline Loos · World Development Sustainability · Lebanon
This study analyzed the livelihood effects of rooftop urban agriculture for 10 Palestinian women in Ein El-Hilweh Camp, Lebanon, using a mixed-method approach combining document analysis and a survey. Findings suggest that rooftop urban agriculture contributes considerably to more sustainable livelihoods for Palestinian women and their families by enabling them to develop natural and human capital, increasing food security, and protecting natural resources. It is a low-threshold tool that enhances refugees' well-being over the medium term.
CommunityWelfareHealthEconomicsThe Interactive Effect of Age and Education on Bonding Social Capital towards Empowerment of Urban Agriculture Communities in Klang Valley, Malaysia
2023Nur Shuhamin Nazuri, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Mohamad Fazli Sabri · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · Malaysia
This quantitative study examined 212 Urban Agriculture program members in Klang Valley, Malaysia, to understand the interactive effect of age and education on bonding social capital and social empowerment. It found high levels of bonding social capital and social empowerment, with a strong correlation between them. Age and education significantly moderate this relationship, with younger and highly educated individuals showing a more significant impact.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCultivating thirdspace: Community, conflict and place in small-city urban gardens
2023Emelie Larsson, Katarina Giritli Nygren · Landscape and Urban Planning · Sweden
This study explored urban gardens as "thirdspaces" by interviewing allotment gardeners and community gardeners in small Swedish cities. Allotments were examined as "lived places" where experiences, meanings, and a sense of place develop. The results illuminated how allotment gardens function as a nature-human crossing point and a practice connecting city residents with countryside life and non-landowners with the land.
Equity & displacementCommunityUrban–rural linkageEnvironmental horticulture for domestic and community gardens—An integrated and applied research approach
2023M.B. Gush, Tijana Blanuša, Lauriane Suyin Chalmin‐Pui, A. Griffiths, Elisabeth K. Larsen, Raghavendra Prasad, Marc Redmile‐Gordon, Chloe Sutcliffe · Plants People Planet · Global
This article presents an integrated and applied research approach to environmental horticulture from The Royal Horticultural Society. It emphasizes the importance of domestic and community gardens in the context of global environmental threats and discusses four primary research focus areas. These areas include responding to climate change, using plants for environmental regulation, sustainable resource management, and gardening for human health and wellbeing.
CommunityBiodiversityClimate changeDIY