Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
2406 results(3 / 97)
Food Green Cities for Urban Sustainability (Book)
2026Ambika P. Adhikari, Keshav Bhattarai, Drona Rasali, Sunil Babu Shrestha · UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico) · Global
This book explores the role of urban agriculture, forestry, and sustainable practices in ensuring food security and addressing climate change and urbanization challenges. It emphasizes urban greening and sustainable land use as strategies for creating livable cities and mitigating environmental degradation. The book compiles research, practical solutions, and transferable strategies applicable to developing countries.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeCommunityPEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI BUDIDAYA IKAN DALAM GALON SEBAGAI SOLUSI KETAHANAN PANGAN DI DESA CISALAM, KECAMATAN BAROS, KABUPATEN SERANG
2026Rini Yanuarti, Muhammad Niswan, Rizka Fasliana, Sindi Abeliana, Suci Sri Rachmawati · Journal of Maritime Empowerment · Indonesia (Serang)
A community empowerment program in Cisalam Village, Serang Regency, Indonesia, provided knowledge and education on fish cultivation in gallons (BUDIGALON) and water spinach planting. This initiative aimed to address food shortages and promote healthy living due to the community's reliance on rain-fed rice fields. An evaluation showed that participants' knowledge and understanding of these practices increased by an average of 63%.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityFood educationBEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF URBAN FARMING ADOPTION IN MALAYSIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY USING THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
2026Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop · International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution · Malaysia
This qualitative study investigated the behavioral intentions of urban citizens towards urban farming in Malaysia, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. Semi-structured interviews with 50 participants from major urban centers in Peninsular Malaysia revealed that positive attitudes, such as valuing food freshness, health benefits, and environmental impact, strongly motivate participation. Subjective norms are shaped by family support, community inspiration, and the growing visibility of urban farming, while perceived behavioral control depends on factors like space, time, and access to knowledge and technology. Participants with higher self-efficacy and greater community involvement showed more willingness to engage in urban farming.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood educationCultivating the margins: Urban farming, social solidarity, and spatial justice in Indonesia
2026Moh. Solehatul Mustofa, Kemal Budi Mulyono, Nina Farliana, Dwi Cahyaningdyah · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Indonesia
This qualitative study examined urban farming practices in seven major Indonesian cities, using participant observation, 52 in-depth interviews, and seven focus group discussions with urban farmers. Findings indicate that the resilience and sustainability of urban farming are shaped by collective affective infrastructures, social solidarity, and non-commodified community relations, rather than solely economic motivations or formal policies. Urban farming produces social, ecological, and symbolic value beyond market outcomes, contributing to food security, community resilience, and spatial justice.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyOptimization of the Urban Food-Energy-Water Nexus: A Micro-Supply Chain and Circular Economy Approach
2026Marwen Elkamel, Luis Rabelo · Sustainability · United States (South Florida)
This paper presents a mathematical programming model to optimize the design and sustainability performance of the urban food–energy–water (FEW) nexus. The model incorporates a micro supply chain and addresses the supply-demand balance within existing and future FEW systems using cost and carbon footprint indicators. It is applied to an urban agriculture network in South Florida, integrating renewable energy technologies, combined heat and power units, reclaimed wastewater and stormwater, and electric vehicles. The optimization process identified effective infrastructure investment, resource allocation, and technology configurations to support circular economy and sustainability.
EconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleKajian Kinerja Kelompok Tani dan Manfaat Pertanian Perkotaan di Wilayah Kota Bogor
2026Sukma Aprilia Islami, Tati Budiarti, Afra Donatha Nimia Makalew · Jurnal Lanskap Indonesia · Indonesia (Bogor City)
This study in Bogor City, Indonesia, identified agricultural landscapes in six districts and around farmer groups' gardens, analyzing environmentally friendly urban agriculture practices and benefits. Data from 40 farmer groups and Sentinel-2 image analysis showed South Bogor had the largest agricultural land (10.70%) and Central Bogor the smallest (0.04%). While farmer groups adopted environmentally friendly systems, the application of technologies faced challenges related to cost and technical knowledge.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty, capitalism and migrant workers
2026Sinem Kavak, Lorenza Arango, Doi Ra, Zeynep Ceren Eren Benlisoy, Carlo John Arceo, George T. Mudimu, Daren Shi-chi Leung, Adwoa Yeboah Gyapong, Mnqobi Ngubane · The Journal of Peasant Studies · Global
Migrant workers often remain marginal in food sovereignty discourse and practice despite their central role in the global food system. The emphasis on localization within food sovereignty often overlooks trends towards semi-proletarianization within small peasant and worker households, and a more inclusive food sovereignty agenda must address migrant workers' access to land.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageEconomicsEkosistem Restorasyonu ve Doğa Temelli Çözümlerle Gıda Sistemlerinin Güçlendirilmesi
2026Çiğdem Coşkun Hepcan · · Global
This study examines how ecosystem restoration and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can transform food systems. It highlights that ecosystem degradation threatens essential services, and NbS offer an integrated approach to restoring degraded ecosystems by enhancing soil fertility, improving water retention, and reducing pollution. Integrating NbS into various ecosystems provides a holistic strategy for strengthening ecological integrity and food system resilience, contributing to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction.
BiodiversityClimate changeOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceFood Sharing in Brighton & Hove
2026Jennifer Lyons, Anna Davies · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · United Kingdom (Brighton & Hove)
This report presents sustainability impacts of Food Sharing Initiatives (FSIs) in Brighton & Hove, UK, combining data from CULTIVATE’s Food Sharing Map and submitted Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) data. FSIs are community-driven projects enabling collective food activities and skill exchange. The CULTIVATE project developed "The Toolshed" to assess FSI sustainability impacts across social, environmental, economic, and governance pillars. The report notes that the presented indicators are a subset of total impacts, and urban-scale estimations will improve with more SIA data.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsIntegrating vertical and urban farming into sustainable food systems: a comprehensive review
2026Thulisekari Prasanna, Guda Bhargavi, Murugesan Mohana Keerthi · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This comprehensive review synthesizes literature on vertical and urban agriculture within sustainable food systems, identifying production models and technical advancements. Empirical evidence indicates these systems can improve water/land-use efficiency, yield stability, and reduce post-harvest losses. However, significant challenges persist, including high capital and energy prices, inadequate crop diversification, technical complexities, and regulatory constraints, impacting their economic viability.
Economic viabilityUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyDigital agricultureThe Narratives of Community Garden Beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga ERH Village: A Social Behavioral Change Evaluation
2026Joshua Eusebio Jr · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines (Bacolod City)
This study assessed the social and behavioral changes of Project Kauswagan, a youth-led community garden initiative in Gawad Kalinga ERH Village, Bacolod City, Philippines, implemented from May 2024 to March 2025. Data from focus group discussions with key community leaders revealed six major themes, including empowerment, formation of community habits, shifts in attitudes toward sharing and collaboration, and positive impact on food security. The project strengthened collaboration and enhanced food accessibility for marginalized groups, particularly women.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareFood educationDIYUrban agriculture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A systematic review of practices, challenges and sustainability
2026hawamkwela@yahoo.com MKWELA · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This systematic review analyzed 42 studies from 1990 to 2024, examining urban agriculture practices, scale, socio-economic contributions, health and environmental impacts, and governance constraints in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Urban agriculture involves 36,000–60,000 households cultivating 1,800–6,000 hectares annually, supplying 90% of city vegetables, providing 20–70% of household income, and employing over 100,000 people. However, 85–95% of farmers lack secure land tenure, 78% of vegetable samples exceed WHO E. coli limits, and 90% of produce is sold informally with high post-harvest losses of 20–40%.
Contamination & food safetyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthPolicyUrban Farming Berbasis Teknologi Sensor dan Platform Dagang Lokal untuk Kedaulatan Pangan Semarang
2026Karla Katina Salim Nohkarsan, Caroline Noel Amaris Purnomo, Karyn Gracia Hartono, Mellia Harumi, Gelbert Jethro Sanyoto · Praxis Jurnal Sains Teknologi Masyarakat dan Jejaring · Indonesia (Semarang)
This study designed two systems to support food sovereignty in Semarang, Indonesia: a sensor-based urban farming system for real-time plant condition monitoring with automatic nutrient supply and pH adjustment, and a digital local trading application for direct sales of local produce to consumers and searching for nearby urban farmers. The research was conducted through observation studies, deep interviews, and literature reviews.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityDigital agricultureEconomicsClimate change impact on urban food gardens: implications for adaptation strategies and food and nutrition security in townships in Pietermaritzburg Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
2026Nthabeleng Tamako, Joyce Chitja · Agriculture & Food Security · South Africa
This study examined the impact of climate change on urban food gardens in Sobantu and Mpophomeni townships in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Face-to-face interviews with 103 randomly selected participants revealed that climate change disproportionately affects resource-limited urban farmers, leading to erratic rainfall, pests, and natural disasters. Elevated temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and new pests and diseases significantly impact food gardens, affecting seed and crop selection and contributing to food insecurity.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareUrban–rural linkageEl conuco como estrategia pedagógica para contribuir al rescate de las tradiciones ancestrales en la comunidad indígena Achagua (resguardo Umapo) municipio de Puerto López, Colombia
2026Monica del Pilar Rodriguez Rodriguez, Jorge Luis Triana Riveros, NEWTON NARCISO GOMES · Revista Brasileira de Educação do Campo · Colombia
This study investigated "conuco" (traditional food production) as a pedagogical strategy to rescue ancestral traditions in the Achagua indigenous community of Umapo reserve, Puerto López, Colombia. Facing a historical loss of customs due to settler companies and communities, an ethnographic methodology was implemented, involving intergenerational dialogue between elders and youth, and the creation of a school garden cultivating traditional foods. This agricultural intervention was concluded to be a fundamental educational strategy against acculturation, revitalizing at-risk eating habits, promoting the effective rescue of ancestral traditions, and consolidating the cultural identity of new Achagua generations.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceGeospatial Dynamics of Urban Irrigation Agricultural Land Use for Sustainable Income Generation on the Jos Plateau
2026Dr. Emmanuel Omomoh, Sunday Nannim, Dr. Rogers Rengje. Danlami Gujahar, Moses Omitunde Omirinde, Gwamzhi Ponsah Emmanuel · International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science · Nigeria (Jos)
A study analyzed urban irrigation agricultural land use changes in Jos South Metropolis, Nigeria, over a ten-year period (2014–2024) using geospatial techniques and fieldwork. Market garden area declined by 5.84%, while settlements expanded by 34.76%. Key constraints to sustainable urban agriculture were identified, including land tenure insecurity (63% of dry-season farmers were landless), limited access to irrigation water, pest and disease pressure, inadequate fertilizer supply, and increasing competition for land from urban development.
Governance failureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyUrban farming through Student READY in ICAR-SAU System for comprehensive food security
2026V.Rajendra Prasad, D.Chinnama Naidu, M.Suresh Kumar · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · India
This abstract proposes integrating urban farming into the Student READY program within the ICAR-SAU System in India to enhance food and nutritional security. It suggests introducing urban farming into the program's five components, including Experiential Learning and Hands-on training. Proposed activities for undergraduate students include aquaponics, rooftop farms, and growing specialty crops, while methodologies involve utilizing underutilized spaces, creating care farms, and establishing community gardens.
Food educationFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeDIYWelfareA review on urban horticulture: An innovative approach for smart cities
2026Davendra Kumar, Krishan Pal, Ashish Kumar · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global
This review discusses urban horticulture as a viable method to address challenges arising from rapid urbanization, population growth, food crisis, and climate change. It notes that by 2050, 40.76% of India's population is projected to live in urban areas, increasing pressure on urban resources and rural agricultural production. Urban horticulture is presented as a sustainable way to reduce agricultural pressure and combat food crisis.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsUrban–rural linkageKey catalysts and constraints of urban agriculture for sustainable food systems: A case study of Thiruvananthapuram, India
2026Sreedaya G S, Smitha S, Mathew Riza, Somashekar Patil Sheetal, K Sreelakshmi, Krishna R Aswathi, V S Chinchu, Somanath Gopika, J R Shalini · Plant Science Today · India (Thiruvananthapuram)
This study examined catalysts and constraints of urban agriculture (UA) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, collecting data from 124 urban farmers across 20 wards in 2024 using mixed methods. Catalysts were categorized as socio-economic benefits, ecosystem services, and fitness and well-being, with fitness and well-being being the most influential. Constraints included institutional barriers like lack of timely information and socio-economic challenges such as poor soil fertility.
EconomicsHealthClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceHuertos urbanos comunitarios y su contribución al escalamiento agroecológico en una ciudad intermedia: un estudio de caso en Jovel, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México
2026Jesús De la Rocha Illanes · Revista de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales IBU · Mexico (San Cristóbal de Las Casas)
A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study was conducted on four community urban gardens in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, to understand how agroecological scaling occurs and what practices comprise it. The research found that agroecological scaling in these gardens is essentially horizontal and deep, occurring at a microsocial level, person-to-person, and intergenerationally; however, the vertical facet of this process appears to be weakened. Agroecological practices include collective/collaborative composting of organic matter, ecotechnology engineering, links with local socioeconomic and solidarity networks, digital presence, reintegration of agricultural ceremonies/rituals in the urban context, and collective actions against eviction attempts.
CommunityOrganic cycleBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceSocio-Economic Dimensions of Urban Agriculture in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria: Farmer Characteristics, Cultivation Practices, and Operational Constraints
2026Gwamzhi Ponsah Emmanuel, Kabati Danjuma Madaki, Abadu Afinli Manasseh, Murna Joy Tikuna Dawarga, Sabaina Oluwakemi Gabriel, Pwajok David Jang · International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews · Nigeria (Jos)
This study examined the socio-economic dimensions of dry-season market gardening (fadama) in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, through interviews with 65 farmers, site reconnaissance, and observation. The farmer population was diverse, with 63% lacking formal land ownership, and intensive year-round cultivation of temperate vegetables was observed. Ten operational constraints were identified, including pest and disease pressures reported by all respondents, land tenure insecurity, expensive fertilizer supply (20-30% of costs), and a near-total absence of formal policy recognition and extension support.
EconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceIs community-supported agriculture a case of real utopia? The case of Germany
2026Hannah Bücheler, Christine Bosch · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Germany
This paper explores the potential of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Germany, applying Erik Olin Wright’s concept of real utopia to assess if CSA challenges capitalist structures. Drawing on secondary literature, the study evaluates the desirability, feasibility, and achievability of CSA. The results suggest that CSA in Germany qualifies as a real utopia, but faces limitations to growth due to implementation constraints such as the need for additional market channels and access to land.
Governance failureCSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceHousehold Perception and Mode Choice in Urban Agriculture: Evidence from Machakos County, Kenya
2026Stephanie Akeyo Nyapela, Everlyn Chitechi Wemali · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Kenya (Machakos County)
A cross-sectional mixed-methods study in Machakos County, Kenya, from June to September 2024, surveyed 388 households to identify urban agriculture (UA) modes and assess household perception's influence on UA adoption. Results showed 46% of households engaged in UA, primarily home-based with cost-effective techniques, and household perceptions significantly affected UA adoption. Positive perceptions influenced the adoption of mixed crop and animal farming systems, but not animal-only practices.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPeri-urban agricultureEnvironmental Repossession and Indigenous Resurgence
2026Ratan Sarkar · Ethics & the Environment · Canada
This volume examines how Indigenous communities across Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Hawaiʻi reclaim their relationships with land in the face of colonial dispossession and environmental degradation, introducing the concept of "environmental repossession." Through case studies such as resistance to the Thirty Meter Telescope and Māori urban gardening initiatives, the book demonstrates how repossession manifests through protest, ceremony, pedagogy, and everyday acts of care. The collaboratively written text positions repossession as a mode of resurgence, self-determination, and healing.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood Sharing in Athens
2026Jennifer Lyons, Anna Davies · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Greece (Athens)
The CULTIVATE project developed "The Toolshed," an assessment tool to document and understand the sustainability impacts of food sharing initiatives (FSIs). This report provides estimated sustainability impacts for Athens, combining insights from CULTIVATE’s automated Food Sharing Map and sustainability impact assessment (SIA) data submitted by FSIs. These estimations span environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability, noting that the presented impact indicators are only a subset of the total impacts these initiatives create.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomics