Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Urban Agriculture In Mumbai: Worth Its Weight In Produce?
2016Christiane Joi Allen · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · India (Mumbai)
This study evaluated the environmental, social, and economic benefits of urban agriculture in Mumbai, India, using Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis. Results indicate that urban agriculture has lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water consumption but higher eutrophication potential compared to commercial large-scale agriculture.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsClimate changeHealthOrganic cycleAgricultura urbana familiar en una ciudad media en Chiapas. Implicaciones para la sustentabilidad urbana Family urban agriculture in an average city in Chiapas. Implications for urban sustainability
2016Araceli Calderón Cisneros · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Mexico (Chiapas)
This qualitative study analyzed the role of family urban agriculture in urban sustainability in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, using open and structured interviews. The visited agricultural systems showed characteristics favoring resilience and sustainability, such as low use of external inputs and recycling of domestic waste. However, a limitation found was that the contribution of own production to family consumption is very low, despite existing food, environmental, and socio-cultural motivations for its continuity.
Limited or null effectDIYOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeDiseño de un prototipo de agricultura urbana sustentable a partir de la utilización de residuos sólidos reciclables para la creación de empresa
2016Luis Malagón González · · Global
This research aims to create a company by designing a prototype for sustainable urban agriculture, utilizing recycled and reused elements to facilitate human management and integration with the natural environment.
DIYOrganic cycleEconomicsAgricultura urbana e produção agroecológica de hortaliças em Altamira, Pará.
2016Galdino Xavier Paula Filho, Gutemberg Armando Diniz Guerra · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Altamira)
This study analyzed alternative vegetable production systems in nine urban gardens in Altamira, Pará, Brazil, focusing on methods avoiding agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers, and their commercialization in two local open-air markets. Semi-structured interviews and on-site visits revealed that pest and disease control uses natural repellents like pepper, tobacco, neem, and garlic compounds. Fertilization relies on wood sawdust, crop residues (rice and coffee straw), and animal manure. Commercialization is linked to social organization and occurs through producer associations at open-air markets.
DIYOrganic cycleCommunityWater: Connecting the Cycle
2016Gundula Proksch · · Global
This chapter discusses the potential of urban agriculture to mitigate water management challenges. While industrial agriculture consumes 70% of accessible water, cities struggle with water security and fail to utilize on-site sources like rainfall. Urban agriculture is presented as a solution to these water challenges by integrating water-efficient strategies with existing urban infrastructure, building systems, and management approaches.
Climate changeOrganic cyclePolicyEconomicsEnergy: Solar-powered Photosynthesis and Greenhouses
2016Gundula Proksch · · Global
This chapter investigates factors for implementing sustainable, energy-efficient urban agricultural operations, focusing on the solar needs of plants, the extension of growing seasons indoors, and passive solar gains for buildings. It provides an overview of greenhouse typologies, cover materials, and lighting systems to optimize energy use and production. Additionally, it examines the potential for photosynthesis and the carbon cycle to utilize building exhaust systems for CO2-rich air and excess heat to support crop cultivation, exploring intersections among nutrient, water, and energy cycles through case studies.
Climate changeOrganic cycleFood miles & supply chainEconomicsIDENTIFICATION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM LEVELS IN WHITE CABBAGE (Brassica rapa L.), SOIL, AND IRRIGATION WATER OF URBAN AGRICULTURAL SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES
2016Hardiyanto Hardiyanto, Constancio C. de Guzman · Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Science · Philippines (Metro Manila)
This study investigated the levels and distribution of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in white cabbage, soil, and irrigation water from urban agricultural sites in Las Piñas and Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Field areas were divided into three sections based on distance from the main road (0, 25, and 50 m), and metal contents were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The average Pb content (1.09 µg g-1 dry weight) in white cabbage was highest immediately beside the main road, with a similar trend in soil. A negative relationship was found between distance from the main road and Pb and Cd contents in white cabbage and soil. While overall concentrations of Pb and Cd in white cabbage, soil, and irrigation water were within acceptable limits, further study on heavy metal contamination in crops, especially those grown along main roads, was suggested.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleCommunityRisk Assessment of Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Grown in Wastewater-Irrigated Urban Farming Sites in Sargodha, Pakistan
2016Kafeel Ahmad, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Asma Ashfaq, Ameer Khan, Hazoor Ahmad Shad, Mujahid Sher, Zahoor-ul-Hassan Dogar, Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Sumaira Yasmin, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Eugenio Cazzato · The Philippine Agricultural Scientist · Pakistan
This study analyzed heavy metal and metalloid levels in soil and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) from two urban farming sites in Sargodha, Pakistan, irrigated with wastewater. Findings showed that mean concentrations of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, and manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in cabbage, exceeded permissible limits at both sites. Significant differences were observed in metal and metalloid levels in vegetable samples between sites.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleAgricultura urbana e desenvolvimento socioeconômico da comunidade Areia Branca, Município de Santa Izabel do Pará, Pará
2016Rosicléia Silva, Mauricio Ricardo De Paula Dias, Flávio Sampaio Mendes, Hevelyn Soares das Chagas, Roberta de Fátima Rodrigues Coelho · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil
This study evaluated the contribution of urban agriculture to the socioeconomic development of the Areia Branca community in Santa Izabel do Pará, Brazil, by profiling families and understanding the influence of agricultural activity. Through on-site observations and socioeconomic questionnaires, it was found that agriculture is the main source of income for most families, primarily involving leafy vegetable cultivation with family labor. Despite being low-tech, the agriculture is not organic due to the recurrent use of chemical fertilizers.
CommunityEconomicsOrganic cyclePeri-urban agricultureHeavy Metal Toxicity in Wastewater Irrigated Peri-Urban Agricultural Areas of Lahore, Pakistan; a Case Study
2016Mujtaba Baqar, Nadia Jamil, Naveed Ahsan, Kiran Khanum, Abdul Qadir, Mariyam Zameer, Anam Khalid · Transylvanian Review · Pakistan (Lahore)
This case study investigated the impacts of heavy metals from wastewater irrigation on soil, groundwater, and leafy vegetables (Indian mustard, spinach, fodder) in the Charrar Drain catchment, Lahore, Pakistan. Samples were collected from seven sites. Drain water showed Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations exceeding limits at most sites, and groundwater Cd concentrations also exceeded limits, though Cr and Pb were within permissible ranges. Soil samples contained Cd, Cr, and Pb, and leafy vegetables irrigated with wastewater showed varying heavy metal concentrations, indicating a heavy metal bioaccumulation issue that may exceed threshold limits.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleGraduate Internship in Agricultural Education: Joseph Kerr Middle School
2016Christie Elise Liebig · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)
This graduate internship involved developing a school and community garden at Joseph Kerr Middle School in California, United States. The garden provides hands-on learning for students, who harvest fresh produce and distribute it to families lacking access to fresh produce. Some produce was also donated to a local food bank, emphasizing the program's focus on teaching sustainable practices.
Food educationCommunityWelfareOrganic cycleImplementação de horta urbana em alojamento universitário: sustentabilidade e formação para a cidadania
2016Gabriel Rezende Marques, Maria Regina de Miranda Souza, Leo Rinaldo de Arantes Lazzerini, Cláudia Lúcia de Oliveira Pinto · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Viçosa)
This study described and evaluated the implementation and adoption of an urban garden by socioeconomically vulnerable students residing in the Federal University of Viçosa dormitory in Viçosa, Brazil, and how the experience influenced their quality of life, civic education, perception, and interest in agroecology. It was found that the use of urban agriculture from an agroecological perspective is an alternative for improving the quality of life in residences and for expanding agroecological knowledge.
CommunityFood educationOrganic cycleWelfareHorta comunitária como lócus propagador do conhecimento agroecológico
2016Glorinha Correa Neta, Francisneide de Sousa Lourenço, Naiana Marinho de Souza, J. N. de P. Lourenço, Rainielly Barbosa Soares · · Brazil
This work reports on an experience in the Nova Esperanca community in Brasileirinho, Brazil, with a project focused on a community garden as a propagator of agroecological knowledge. The project aimed to develop activities for vegetable cultivation using agroecological practices. Through tools like Venn diagrams and seasonal calendars, the study observed the difficulties the community faced in planting the Erapakatupa garden.
CommunityFood educationOrganic cycleCommunity Supported Agriculture and Green Experimental Restaurants: A Social Capital Perspective
2016Chieh-Fu Cheng, Simon Chen-Tsang Tsai, Bin-Min Sung · · Taiwan
This study in Hualien, Taiwan, applied social capital theory to investigate how social capital dimensions facilitate the development of community-based organic agriculture, focusing on an experimental green restaurant. Participant observations and in-depth interviews with 7 local organic farmers were conducted. Results revealed that the experimental green restaurant must continually fulfill various social functions (e.g., educator, information platform, resource distributor) and accumulate social capital to extend its internal ties with local farmers into relationships based on mutual trust and reciprocity.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood educationOrganic cycleHorta comunitária de base agroecológica com sistema de irrigação e compostagem
2016Talita Slota Kutz, Fernanda Daniela Bandelero, Jéssica Cardoso, Thiago de Olivera Vargas · · Brazil
This work describes a 16-hour theoretical-practical workshop conducted in a settlement in Peritoro-MA, Brazil, during the "Operacao Velho Monge" of Project Rondon in 2014. The workshop aimed to disseminate agroecological horticulture through the implementation of a pilot community garden project with drip irrigation and composting systems, facilitating learning for both the settlement community and participating students.
CommunityCompostFood educationOrganic cycleEcosystem services and tradeoffs in the home food gardens of African American, Chinese-origin and Mexican-origin households in Chicago, IL
2016John Taylor, Sarah Taylor Lovell, Sam E. Wortman, M.K. Chan · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States (Chicago)
In Chicago, semi-structured interviews and plant inventories were conducted with 59 African American, Chinese-origin, and Mexican-origin households regarding ecosystem services and tradeoffs in their home food gardens. A total of 387 plant species were identified; gardens of African American households were rich in ornamental species, while those of Chinese-origin households had a depauperate flora. Shade trees and a developed shrub layer were absent from most gardens, suggesting a tradeoff in ecosystem services favoring food production. Only 9.6% of the inventoried species were native to the Chicago area.
Environmental trade-offsCommunityBiodiversityOrganic cycleHealthPrompts to improve post-consumer waste composting behaviors in the SUB
2016Valerie Chiykowski, Guhan Chendurnathan, Jun S. Lee, Lius Daniel · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada
This project at the University of British Columbia's Student Union Building (SUB) aimed to reduce contamination in post-consumer organics bins using visual prompts. While the intervention successfully decreased both the percentage weight and level of contamination, the overall weight of compostable waste also decreased post-intervention. The study suggests considering confounding factors like a sustainability fair during baseline data collection and improved bins, and proposes an infrared sensor-based audio prompt system for future efforts.
Governance failureCompostOrganic cycleCommunityFarming in and on urban buildings: Present practice and specific novelties of Zero-Acreage Farming (ZFarming)
2015Thomaier S., Specht K., Henckel D., Dierich A., Siebert R., Freisinger U. B., Sawicka M. · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 30(1):43-54 · Global
Survey of 73 zero-acreage (building-based) farms across four continents, analyzing innovative technologies, supply patterns, and business networks of commercial hydroponic and aquaponic urban farming.
EconomicsOrganic cycleAssessing and Managing Soil Quality for Urban Agriculture in a Degraded Vacant Lot Soil
2015Joshua W. Beniston, Rattan Lal, Kristin L. Mercer · Land Degradation & Development · United States (Youngstown)
In Youngstown, Ohio, this study measured soil and plant responses to organic-matter amendments made from yard wastes and to raised beds on vacant lots where houses had recently been demolished. Two years after application, the amendments significantly improved soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and increased vegetable yields, with a soil quality index comparable to rural agricultural soils. The results indicate urban agriculture can be productive on vacant land and that yard-waste amendments can restore degraded urban soils.
CompostOrganic cycleTropical Permaculture and Green Building
2015Stephane Bour · · Global
Ecotrancoso focuses on restoring life to an ecosystem that has been transformed into a desert by unsustainable agricultural practices. This is achieved through the creation of a food forest.
DIYOrganic cycleBiodiversityClimate change社會生態農業 : 小毛驢市民農園的經歷與思考 : 第一部分 = Community and ecological agriculture : experience and reflection of Little Donkey Farm : part 1
2015Yan Xiaohui · Digital Commons - Lingnan (Lingnan University) · China
This paper presents a lecture by Mr. Yan Xiaohui on Community and Ecological Agriculture, focusing on the experiences and reflections of Little Donkey Farm. The lecture discusses the farm's origins, current activities, and future vision for a shared community.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceMicrobiological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Jakara Canal Wastewater Used for Irrigation in Kano
2015M. G. Dahiru, Onaiwu Idahosa Enabulele · · Nigeria (Kano)
Microbiological and physicochemical parameters of urban wastewater from the Jakara Canal in Kano were analyzed to assess its potential for irrigation. Mean fecal coliform counts ranged from 64.43 ± 63.20 MPN 100/ml to 216.85 ± 350.16 MPN 100/ml, increasing along the canal. All physicochemical parameters were within FEPA and WHO/FAO acceptable limits, but conductivity needed monitoring to avoid salinity.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageAnalisis Potensi Pengembangan Peternakan Sapi Potong di Kota Tangerang Selatan
2015P. S. Yuniar, Widiatmaka Widiatmaka, A. M. Fuah · Jurnal Ilmu Produksi dan Teknologi Hasil Peternakan · Indonesia (South Tangerang)
This research analyzed the advisability and potential for beef cattle development in South Tangerang, Indonesia. Data was collected through interviews with stakeholders, observations of livestock locations, and secondary sources. The study used Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and SWOT analysis to formulate development strategies, finding that waste management, biogas technology, farmer cooperative capacity building, and government land-use support are important for sustainability, farmer income, and food security.
EconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyOrganic cycleA agricultura urbana em Natal (RN): da produção convencional à orgânica
2015Rosangela Medeiros Hespanhol · Confins · Brazil (Natal)
This study analyzed the trajectory of farmers from AMIGS (Association of Friends and Producers of Vegetables Residents of Sitio Gramoré and Adjacencies), a significant vegetable supplier in Natal, Brazil, who have been transitioning from conventional to organic production since 2012. The organization of farmers through the association and partnerships with companies and institutions were crucial for enabling this change, reducing dependence on intermediaries through direct sales at ecological fairs. However, problems related to the individual acquisition of inputs and conflicts with farmers still using conventional systems were observed.
Governance failureOrganic cycleCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceEnseñanza del desarrollo sostenible y la agricultura orgánica por medio de una huerta escolar
2015Óscar Moreno Flogia, Andrea Navarrete, Fernando Rodríguez Cortés · · Colombia
This article presents research results on how to approach the concept of "sustainable development" by teaching organic agriculture principles in a school garden at Liceo Campestre Bosque Andino in Sibate, Cundinamarca, Colombia. Constructivism and meaningful learning served as the pedagogical framework, with concept maps and the Likert scale used as assessment tools.
Food educationOrganic cycleCommunityClimate change