Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
892 results(27 / 36)
Achieving Resilience through Water Recycling in Peri-Urban Agriculture
2017Roger Attwater, Chris Derry · Water · Australia
This paper presents a case study in Western Sydney, Australia, examining the role of water recycling for agricultural use within the peri-urban water cycle. It identifies and discusses aspects that enhance resilience, such as water resource security, avoidance of wastewater discharges, enhanced landscape ecology, and provision of ecosystem services. The study also considers environmental risk management, local agricultural products, social values, livelihood opportunities, and the industrial ecology of recycled organics.
Peri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleClimate changeEconomicsPresent practice and future prospect of rooftop farming in Dhaka city: A step towards urban sustainability
2017Mastura Safayet, Md. Faqrul Arefin, Md. Musleh Uddin Hasan · Journal of Urban Management · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study explored the current practices and challenges of rooftop farming in Mirpur and Mohammadpur areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Researchers interviewed two practitioners and surveyed 60 non-practitioners. Findings indicate that rooftop farming can improve air quality, reduce atmospheric carbon, and lower stormwater management costs, with most non-practitioners willing to dedicate at least 50% of their roof space to it.
DIYClimate changeUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceCOMMUNITY GARDENS AND ECOLOGICAL CITIZENSHIP: THEIR POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS IN FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTALISM
2017Michael Kennedy · OpenSIUC (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) · Global
Community gardens can serve as important local greenspaces to address environmental degradation and educate individuals about the importance of food and the environment. However, certain barriers need to be overcome and addressed before community gardens are successfully implemented. Participation and interaction within community gardens may provide a pathway to long-term commitment to sustainability, encouraging individuals to adopt more environmentally supportive behaviors and a deeper commitment to environmentalism.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationBiodiversityClimate changePropuesta de un sistema de aprovechamiento del agua lluvia para agricultura urbana en la terraza de los laboratorios de la ciudadela El Porvenir de la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
2017Quintana Piñeros, Jacqueline Lisette · · Colombia (Bogota)
This proposal is based on studying the climatological behavior of the main Bogota River basin and its vegetation characteristics to identify suitable native species for urban agriculture. It also proposes a rainwater harvesting system design for hard surfaces, specifically the laboratory building terrace at El Porvenir citadel of Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. The system would comprise storage, transport, and filtration systems, culminating in a drip irrigation system.
DIYClimate changeOrganic cycleUrban Agriculture: Search for Agricultural Practice in Urbanized Rural Areas
2017Celile Özçiçek Dölekoğlu, Sema Gün · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Global
Urban agriculture, practiced by 800 million people globally, offers economic, social, and environmental benefits but also carries risks and adverse effects. This study presents developments in urban agriculture in Turkey and worldwide, discussing all aspects of its effects and outcomes.
Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityClimate changeUrban agriculture as one of the ecological applications of the regenerative city
2017د. نوفل جوزيف رزقو, د. خالد عبد الوهاب · Journal of Engineering · Global
This research hypothesizes that urban agriculture, in its various forms, is an essential and integral part of the regenerative city, affecting city planning and requiring its inclusion in city master plans as a new form of land use. The research aims to demonstrate the possibilities of using urban agriculture in its different forms within the urban fabric.
Climate changePolicyCommunityRecent Advances in Modelling and Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems towards Sustainable Development
2017Ataur Rahman · Water · Global
This paper provides an overview of a special issue on rainwater harvesting (RWH), which has gained renewed attention as a sustainable development tool since the 1970s. The issue covers various aspects of RWH, including quantity, quality, economics, and state regulations, as well as its suitability to local conditions. Topics explored in the selected papers include regionalization of design curves, spatial technology, urban agriculture, arid-region water supply, multi-criteria analysis, and artificial neural networks.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageAgricultura urbana: um olhar a partir da agroecologia e da agricultura orgânica
2017Mariana Barbosa de Souza, Ana Claudia Guske · COLÓQUIO - Revista do Desenvolvimento Regional · Global
This study aimed to discuss the concept of urban agriculture from the perspectives of agroecology and organic agriculture. A theoretical review of key concepts such as urban and peri-urban agriculture, agroecology, and organic agriculture, along with an exploratory study, were conducted. Through a bibliographic and documentary survey, the research explored the possibility of urban agriculture, when associated with agroecology and organic agriculture, contributing to regional development.
Organic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageManaging Urban Soils for Food Production
2017Klaus Lorenz · · Global
This chapter provides an outlook on how soil-based agriculture for growing food crops in urban areas can be strengthened. Credible assessments of the importance and extent of urban agriculture (UA) are challenging due to numerous and disparate definitions of UA. UA offers many benefits, particularly contributing to urban food security in high-income countries by providing fruits and vegetables. Urban soil properties differentiate the type and value of food produced, but urban soil quality can be improved for crop production.
CommunityHealthEconomicsClimate changeTHE ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP GARDEN FOR BETTERMENT OF LOCAL URBAN HABITAT IN MALAYSIA
2017Maryanti Mohd Raid, Muhammad Uzair Azizan, Khadijah Hussin, Megat Mohd Ghazali Megat Abd Rahman · Journal of Technology Management and Business · Malaysia
This article analyzed the environmental benefits of rooftop gardens as part of urban greenery systems in Malaysia. An in-depth interview with seven experts revealed a consensus that rooftop gardens can effectively address several urban environmental issues. However, the study emphasized that the function and purpose of the rooftop garden must be considered during design and construction to fully achieve its objectives, whether for recreation or environmental purposes.
BiodiversityClimate changeDesign Procedure and Criteria Used in Vertical Gardens and Green Roof Constructions
2017A. N. Sarkar · · Global
This paper discusses design procedures and criteria for vertical gardens (living walls) and green roofs. Vertical gardens are suitable for urban areas, offering uses like urban agriculture, while green roofs provide ecosystem services such as mitigating urban heat island effects and improving biodiversity. Both technologies are recognized globally for environmental benefits, with a thriving industry and extensive research, particularly in Europe.
DIYClimate changeBiodiversityRemarkable 3-in-1 Pakis-Stem Green Roofs for Saving Thermal Flat Rooftop
2017Danny Santoso Mintorogo, Wanda Widigdo, Anik Juniwati · Advanced Science Letters · Global
This research investigated pakis-stem blocks as a growing medium for green roofs, evaluating their 3-in-1 function as a lightweight growing medium, an easy-to-form urban farming system, and an eco-friendly external roof insulation. Measurements on rooftop surface and room thermal behavior showed that pakis-stem green rooftops reduced surface dry-bulk temperature by 16.4°C and ambient room dry-bulk temperature by approximately 7°C at noon compared to conventional rooftops. The surface and ambient room air temperature differences between pakis vegetative green rooftops and miana scrub green rooftops were approximately 7°C and 3°C, respectively.
DIYClimate changeIn This Issue: Food Systems Resilience
2017Duncan Hilchey · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global
This combined spring and summer issue of JAFSCD highlights the growing interest in food systems resilience, presenting various strategies such as supporting critical organizational and physical infrastructure along with social capital, incubating new farmers, protecting farm landscapes, using season-extending technology, and supporting labor. It also emphasizes adapting to climate change and creating stronger connections between farmers and residents in need who are in close geographic proximity. The issue includes columns on Latinx/Hispanic issues in food systems work, the role of "freedom farmers" in the civil rights movement, and the under-appreciated contribution of urban agriculture to communities.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageEconomicsSustainable Development Through Urban Agriculture
2017Eric R. R. Weaver · Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida) · Global
This document compiles three publications advocating urban agriculture as a solution for UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first publication examines stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) modeling for urban agriculture. The second highlights agriculture's role as a driver for planetary systems impacts, and the third proposes a new definition for urban agriculture due to existing ambiguities.
Climate changeCommunityPolicyEconomicsReview study of source retention of rainwater as a means of peak discharge reduction an urban environment
2017Jackie W.Y. Ng · DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) · Singapore
The objective of this study is to propose water retention features to reduce peak urban runoff at source during storm events in an urbanized area. The report focuses on applications in a decentralized area with a centralized system. The three main proposed features are water towers, rooftop gardens (planter tanks), and permeable pavements, intended for implementation in residential housings such as HDB public housings. The study aims to determine how much water can be delayed during high rainfall, and computations and reasoning for these features are discussed.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageChallenges and Opportunities in Urban Farming
2017V. Kumar, K. Sentamilselvan · Advances in business strategy and competitive advantage book series · Global
This study is an initiative to explore the feasibility of urban farming and focuses on its challenges and opportunities in the context of rapid global urbanization. It aims to bring out societal views on urban farming and suggest ways to overcome hindrances. The research seeks to facilitate the utilization of urban farming's benefits.
Climate changeHealthFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsGlobal urban agriculture into the future: urban cultivation as accepted practice.
2017Antoinette WinklerPrins · CABI eBooks · Global
This chapter highlights three main points regarding urban cultivation. First, urban cultivation is much more than producing food. Second, it should be seen as a normal and accepted livelihood in all urban areas, requiring land rights and regulatory environments to align with this reality. Third, urban cultivation has a critical role in making cities sustainable, green, and more resilient in the future.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCrowd-based production
2017Klaus Philipsen · · Global
This text discusses how custom production, facilitated by technologies like 3-D printing, challenges traditional mass production theories. It notes that urban agriculture is exploring experimental, low-impact production methods to integrate urban surfaces into food production for a growing urban population. The high costs of mass production prototypes can be significantly reduced by 3-D printing, allowing for greater product variation at lower costs.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsA change is needed. Urban regeneration may be the answer.
2017Miriam Bodino · PORTO Publications Open Repository TOrino (Politecnico di Torino) · Global
Given the clear limits to growth, this study argues for a better definition and application of sustainable development, particularly in urban areas. It proposes envisioning a de-growth society, emphasizing resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in urban regeneration. The use of Third Landscape, public spaces, and urban agriculture is suggested as a more sustainable approach to urban transformation.
Climate changeCommunityUrban–rural linkageConsiderations for reducing food system energy demand while scaling up urban agriculture
2017Eugene Mohareb, Martin Heller, Paige J. Novak, Benjamin Goldstein, Xavier Fonoll, Lutgarde Raskin · Environmental Research Letters · Global
This literature review provided new insight into the energy implications of scaling up urban agriculture (UA) in cities in high-income countries. It noted that limited data quantify resource demand directly associated with UA systems, indicating the literature is not yet robust enough to make universal claims on benefits. Analyzing existing literature data and cases, the review proposed that energy efficiency gains could be realized by co-locating UA operations with waste streams (e.g., heat, CO2, greywater, wastewater, compost).
Climate changeEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood lossAssessing the Economic Contributions and Benefits of Consumer Horticulture
2017Lucy Bradley, Bridget K. Behe, Natalie R. Bumgarner, Charlotte Glen, Joseph Donaldson, Ellen M. Bauske, Sheri Dorn, Gail Langellotto · HortTechnology · Global
This study discusses the difficulty in documenting the economic contributions and benefits of consumer horticulture (CH) and CH extension programs. CH can result in individual outcomes such as money saved and improved quality of life, and community-level impacts like water quality protection. Quantifying these values is challenging but can be evaluated using several strategies, including measuring consumer dollars spent on gardening supplies, the value of environmental ecosystem services, and cultural, social, and health system services.
EconomicsCommunityHealthBiodiversityClimate changeEFFECT OF DIFFERENT VERMICOMPOST RATES AND POT VOLUME ON PRODUCING CELERY AND RED CABBAGE UNDER URBAN HORTICULTURE CONDITIONS
2017S. H. Ahmed, M. Emam, M. Abul-Soud · Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research · Egypt (Cairo)
This study investigated the effect of different vermicompost rates (10%, 20%, 30%) and pot volumes (4, 6, 8 L) on celery and red cabbage grown under green roof conditions in Cairo, Egypt, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L increased vegetative growth and yield but decreased economic efficiency. A 20% vermicompost rate increased vegetative and yield characteristics, while 30% had a negative impact. Increasing vermicompost from 10% to 30% increased N, P, and K contents, but increasing pot volume from 4 to 8 L/plant decreased N, P, and K contents.
CompostOrganic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceNew urban ecologies
2017John Rennie Short · · Global
This chapter focuses on the developing imaginary of the green and resilient city and the emergence of new urban ecologies. It examines the changing city-nature dialectic, discusses cities and climate change, explores city metrics of urban sustainability, and presents urban environmental issues. In 1976, the US Department of Agriculture established an Urban Gardening Program, and Singaporean city authorities are working to green the city-state.
CommunityClimate changePolicyThe role of urban agriculture in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Ghanaian cities
2017David Anaafo, G. A. Akolgo · · Ghana
A study on urban agriculture in Ghanaian cities found that it faces challenges including difficult access to land and water resources, and a lack of extension services and credit support. Despite these issues, urban agriculture may help reduce flooding impacts, improve water infiltration, and enhance environmental sanitation. The study recommends policy measures to address these challenges.
Governance failureClimate changePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceIdentification of Space for Urban Agriculture through Transformative Governance
2017Rob Roggema · NA · Global
This study tested the role and outcomes of three case studies (INCREASE-Groningen, Minamisoma-Japan, and AESOP-NL) that applied a Research by Design methodology in a design charrette. These case studies focused on sustainability and planning at different spatial scales, utilizing a design charrette as part of the planning process. The outcomes were spatial representations of future visions, evaluated by criteria such as design quality, the importance of food growth, the quality of the planning process, and the overall sustainability of the final result.
PolicyCommunityClimate change