Research & reports

Hugo Rochard, Céline Clauzel, Nathalie Blanc · Urban Ecosystems · France (Paris)

The impact of civic-led hedgerow planting on landscape connectivity was assessed in the southern Paris periurban context. A graph modeling methodology was applied to 94 hedgerow sites, revealing that these sites strengthen landscape connectivity. This quantitative assessment was coupled with qualitative data collected from local civic leaders regarding their perception of social-ecological functions associated with hedgerow planting.

Sukanya Basu, Brenda Maria Zoderer, Harini Nagendra, Peter H. Verburg, Tobías Plieninger · Nature Cities · India

This study examined the extent and benefits of foraging in urban blue spaces across four major Indian cities through a survey of 1,200 users. It identified three forager groups—rare, occasional, and frequent—whose behaviors differed in frequency and practice. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold edibles. Frequent foragers emphasized benefits related to nutrition, income, culture, and social capital, while occasional foragers appreciated nature- and culture-related benefits, indicating urban blue spaces are vital for food access and resilience.

Anna Paltseva · iScience · Global

This article presents a participatory science framework for urban soil research, engaging communities in soil monitoring and management through co-designed projects and educational outreach. The framework integrates digital tools and real-time mapping to enhance data accuracy and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to improve urban soil health. Demonstrated through case studies, this approach aims to build capacity for sustained community involvement and equitable environmental decision-making.

Popov, Velian · reposiTUm (TU Wien) · Bulgaria (Plovdiv)

This study examines the disappearing phenomenon of informal urban gardening, known as Rancho, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, focusing on its socio-historical factors. Despite its authentic, decades-long existence, Rancho is neglected and considered outdated, with a lack of legal regulation and its informal character endangering its future. The study proposes a gradual transformation of these areas into community urban gardens with new infrastructures to raise awareness and encourage authorities to reintegrate Rancho into the urban context.

Wafaa Radi · Journal of Communication Sciences and Information Technology · Global

Many existing IoT-based hydroponic control systems limit user customization due to tightly coupled hardware and software. This paper proposes Hydro-smart, a modular and user-friendly IoT platform designed for small-scale DIY enthusiasts and medium-scale urban agriculture practitioners. Hydro-smart aims to automate and optimize gardening processes, facilitate agricultural experimentation, and enable users to act as citizen scientists by simplifying experimental design and automating data collection.

Nataliya Apanovich, Gene King, Ashley Limbaugh, Garrett Smith, Sandra Bernal · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States (Tucson)

This 10-week study in Tucson, Arizona, examined the role of a collaborative urban garden in addressing food security and social isolation among nine university students, refugees, and asylum seekers. Using pre- and post-study surveys, interviews, and observations, researchers found that both groups experienced positive impacts on food access and social connections. The results indicate that urban gardening creates pathways to empowerment and equalizes differences between the groups and society.

Nur Aini Alfiah, Dewi Fatmawaty Sabiku, Devina Cinantya Anindita, Dewi Puspa Arisandi, Anggita Rizky Fadilah, Ni Nengah Putri Adnyani, Ferril Muhammad Nur · Jurnal Abdi Insani · Indonesia

A community service program in Jember Regency, Indonesia, from November 2024 to January 2025, aimed to enhance food independence among housewives in subsidized housing through training and practice in simple wick hydroponics for bok choy. Most participants understood the material, successfully grew bok choy at home, and showed interest in other vegetables. The program increased awareness of self-sufficient vegetable cultivation for family food security, improving their ability to provide bok choy for household needs, though not achieving full food independence.

Thaís Falcão Cardoso, Ester Vitória Basilio Anchieta · Even3 Publicações eBooks · Global

This paper discusses the importance of Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) in science education, articulated with urban agriculture practices in non-formal spaces. The qualitative and bibliographic research proposes a methodology based on accessible school gardens, utilizing visual resources, bilingual materials, and inclusive technologies. Results indicate that the use of LIBRAS in these practices expands scientific learning, respect for diversity, and collective engagement.

Marni Putri Gea, Restu Jaya Zendrato, Septian Oktani Telaumbanua, Ayler Beniah Ndraha · Flora Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Pertanian dan Perkebunan · Global

This literature review indicates that urban agriculture, utilizing modern techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, and rooftop gardens, is an innovative solution for food security in urban areas. Urban agriculture reduces distribution costs, minimizes environmental impact, and offers social and economic benefits. The review concludes that urban agriculture contributes significantly to improving food security and provides a sustainable alternative for the global food system.

Valentina Manente, Silvio Caputo, Flavio Lupia, Giuseppe Pulighe, Jaime Hernández García · Land · Colombia (Bogotá)

This study developed and applied a GIS-based spatial analytical framework to assess the potential of urban agriculture in Bogotá, Colombia, considering varying productivity levels for four urban food garden types: Home, Community, Educational, and Commercial. Data on produce yield, resource use, and social benefits were collected from a sample of urban food gardens. Results indicated that 25% of Bogotá’s surface area possesses suitable physical and social conditions for food growing, with Home Gardens occupying the largest share of suitable land, suggesting that land availability is not a key limiting factor for urban agriculture expansion.

Joabson Almeida Freitas Souza, Liza Maria Souza de Andrade · Periódico Técnico e Científico Cidades Verdes · Brazil

This study analyzed the role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in revitalizing public spaces in Brazilian peripheral areas through a systematic literature review. Findings indicate that interventions like community gardens and green roofs can reduce heat islands, improve drainage, and strengthen community bonds. The research also identified Brazilian public policy advances, such as the National Policy on Climate Change, supporting NbS integration in urban planning for vulnerable territories.

Rory Coduri · Archaeology Data Service · United Kingdom

An archaeological evaluation at Simon's Cross, Wickham Market, Suffolk, involved excavating 12 trial trenches ahead of housing construction. The evaluation revealed several undated ditches and pits across the site. While historical maps described the land as "arable," later 20th-century mapping shows the site as allotment gardens, suggesting the features may relate to their layout or drainage, though earlier origins are not ruled out.

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Walthall, Beatrice, Parisi, Anton, Schröter, Barbara, Gallagher-Squires, Charlotte, Cuevas Garcia Dorado, Soledad, López García, Daniel · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This catalogue, part of the FOODCITYBOOST project, provides a guide for integrating urban agriculture (UA) into city and spatial planning, focusing on governance and policy. It evaluates UA governance practices based on policy integration and multi-stakeholder approaches. The catalogue highlights "good practices" informed by research and empirical evidence, addressing challenges identified by FOODCITYBOOST living labs, and emphasizes that UA policies, instruments, and interventions vary widely by location, making common models challenging to identify due to context-specific factors.

Celso Donizete Locatel, R.F. da Silva, Roberto Marinho Alves da Silva · · Brazil

This paper presents the definition and evolution of urban and peri-urban agriculture (AUP) in Brazil, highlighting advances in public policies. It also discusses the National Project of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Supported by Agroecology and Solidarity Economy (Projeto AUP), which aims to expand and consolidate this practice in Brazil.

Godswill Ntsomboh Ntsefong · IntechOpen eBooks · Global

This chapter examines the global growth and implications of urban agriculture. While urban agriculture enhances food security, it also introduces food safety risks from contaminated soils and infrastructure gaps. Challenges related to heavy metals, waste, and inadequate land planning are evaluated, and barriers such as land access and limited training for producers persist.

Fadilla Siska Tiara, Eva Maria Sulastri · BUDIMAS JURNAL PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT · Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

Training on planting mustard greens using the hydroponic wick system was conducted for students of Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang and University Teknologi Mara at the AU2 Keramat Community Garden in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The training aimed to improve understanding and skills in hydroponics, raise awareness of vegetable consumption, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Pre- and post-tests showed significant improvement in participants' knowledge regarding hydroponics benefits, planting media, and wick system manufacturing techniques.

R. Salazar, Abraham Rojano Aguilar, Jorge Flores Velázquez · Regiones y Desarrollo Sustentable · Mexico (Mexico City)

This study aimed to estimate the volume of rainwater that can be stored in 13 urban gardens in Mexico City over one year to supplement irrigation water requirements. Using precipitation data from 2007-2018 from 12 meteorological stations, the study calculated the 80% exceedance probability for rainwater capture. The 13 gardens were categorized into three climate-based groups to assess their potential for rainwater harvesting, addressing water shortages in the metropolitan area.

Jelka Strgar, Gregor Torkar, Simona Strgulc Krajšek · Journal of Biological Education · Slovenia

A study surveyed Slovenian lower and upper secondary school teachers regarding their interest in plants and attitudes towards ecosystem services provided by school gardens. Teachers showed high interest in plants and held positive attitudes towards school garden ecosystem services, including education, habitat and regulatory services, relaxation, and plant cultivation. A positive correlation was found between teachers' interest in plants and their attitudes towards these services, indicating Slovenian teachers recognize the importance of school gardens in education.

Aditya Romadloni, Febriyanti Angelia Ginting, Trisno Fallo, Putri Ratna Setyowati · Applied Environmental Sustainability and Technology · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

A descriptive qualitative analysis was conducted on PT Sarihusada Generasi Mahardika's (SGM) COMDEV and CSR program in Padukuhan Kaliurang Timur, Kalurahan Hargobinangun, Upper Sleman Watershed, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The program implements CSR activities including water conservation through catchment infrastructure development, community-based integrated waste management, and urban farming for food security. Additionally, it supports women's economic empowerment through women farmers groups and enhances environmental education in elementary schools, demonstrating a holistic approach combining ecological, economic, and educational aspects.

Marie Davidová, María Claudia Valverde Rojas, Hanane Behnam · Land · Global

This study explored the integration of gamification into social and environmental systems to enhance urban biodiversity and foster the co-creation of ecosystems. It focused on developing tangible ecosystemic interventions, such as habitat extensions and edible landscapes, and gamifying these interventions to engage communities. The interventions were codesigned using systems-oriented design methods, including gigamapping and prototyping, to produce scalable DIY solutions that empower communities to replicate these practices.

Sufrianto Sufrianto, Andi Makkawaru Isazarni Jassin, I Wayan Pugu · MEDIA KONSTRUKSI · Indonesia (Kendari)

This research aims to identify and map the distribution of idle land in Wua-Wua District, Kendari City, Indonesia, using 3D mapping technology. The district faces development pressure leading to reduced green open spaces, and the Green City concept proposes utilizing idle land. 3D modeling analyzed land characteristics, showing Bonggoeya and Anawai are potential for medium to large-scale horticulture, Wua-Wua has the largest idle land for green urban farming centers, and Mataiwoi is suitable for community-based micro urban farming.

Lúcio Lorandi de Toledo, Renata Ferraz de Toledo · Periódico Técnico e Científico Cidades Verdes · Brazil (São Paulo)

A case study in São Paulo, Brazil, mapped 152 urban gardens in public spaces, identifying 114 as community gardens. These gardens are predominantly distributed in peripheral regions, coinciding with areas of high socio-environmental vulnerability and food insecurity. The analysis concluded that despite their good geographic distribution, the productive volume of these gardens is assumed to be insufficient to significantly impact access to fresh food in these communities.

Marté Antione Gifford · Scholars Crossing (Liberty University) · United States (Augusta)

A project at the Augusta Dream Center (ADC) in Augusta, United States, aims to design and implement a community garden, supplemented by local farmer partnerships. This initiative seeks to address food insecurity in the Central Savannah River Area by providing fresh produce, fostering nutrition education, and promoting long-term health equity, particularly in low-income and minority communities facing food deserts and food swamps. The project will develop a community garden for seasonal crops and education, supported by local farmer partnerships and workshops.

Francisco Tomatis, Ana Marí­a Bonet de Viola, Ulises Reno, Ouiam Fatiha Boukharta, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia · · Argentina

In Argentina, public policies like the Argentine Plan Against Hunger and the ProHuerta Program have stimulated urban agriculture to address the food emergency crisis in early 2024. Despite urban gardening being recognized as a crisis-addressing strategy, the existence and future forms of public policies supporting urban gardens remain uncertain amid recent national political changes. Several barriers to integration and consolidation of these programs are highlighted.

Mercedes Muriel Sáiz · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Spain (Madrid)

This article examines the phenomenon of urban gardens from a socio-community perspective, based on a methodology combining a literature review and participant observation in the community garden Ensancha el huerto (Alcorcón, Madrid). The analysis shows that urban gardens operate as micro-ecosystems of mutual support and learning, but the study also highlights risks associated with institutionalization, commodification, and legal insecurity surrounding such initiatives.