Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1089 results(30 / 44)
Urban agriculture, dietary diversity and child health in a sample of Tanzanian town folk
2017Natascha Wagner, Luca Tasciotti · Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue canadienne d études du développement · Tanzania
This study explores the link between urban agriculture, dietary diversity, and child health in urban Tanzania, using weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores. Utilizing two rounds of observational data for urban Tanzania and an instrumental variables estimation approach, the research shows that practicing urban agriculture leads to the consumption of a greater variety of food items, and the health status of urban children living in households practicing urban agriculture significantly improves in both the short and long term.
HealthWelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceGlobal 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 changeEconomicsFarm fresh in the city: urban grassroots food distribution networks in Finland.
2017Sophia E. Hagolani‐Albov, Sarah J. Halvorson · CABI eBooks · Finland
This chapter examines grassroots food distribution networks in Finland, focusing on their role in creating farmer-consumer linkages for urban foodsheds. It discusses and compares two networks: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), exemplified by the Herttoniemi Food Cooperative, and REKO Circles, which are based on the principle of 'fair consumption'.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceKözösség által támogatott mezőgazdaság regionális vizsgálata
2017Nóra Gombkötő, Judit Vincze, Judit Hegyi, Károly Kacz, Gombkötő, Nóra, Vincze, Judit, Hegyi, Judit, Kacz, Károly · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Hungary
A questionnaire survey was conducted among producers and consumers regarding Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) systems in Hungary's West Transdanubian region. The study found that CSA is not mature in Hungary and requires broader support. Producers were predominantly over 45 years old, with few engaged in animal product production, and primarily used traditional markets, missing out on other sales opportunities. Consumer awareness of CSA types was low, with only 25% preferring buyer communities and 3% each for subscription/box systems and share farming.
Governance failureCSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePoblación y organoponía como estrategia de desarrollo local
2017Wendy Castañeda Abad, Angelina Herrera Sorzano, Roberto González Sousa, Eduardo San Marful Orbis · Revista Novedades en Población · Cuba (La Habana)
This research studies the organization, structure, and development of urban agriculture in Cuba, focusing on organoponics as a high-yield modality using agroecological techniques. The study evaluates the behavior and community impact of these centers in Havana Province, an urban territory, as a factor for local development.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceA view from the south: bringing critical planning theory to urban agriculture.
2017Stephanie White, Michael W. Hamm · CABI eBooks · Global South
This chapter discusses urban agriculture's role in urban food systems, particularly in the Global South, and proposes theoretical framings of urban agriculture as an 'urbanistic practice'. It argues that urban agriculture studies can enhance understanding of regional food provisioning and exchange, especially concerning informality, shed light on urban socio-ecological processes including food insecurity and marginalization, and provide case-study accounts of peripheral livelihoods that challenge conventional understandings of urban construction.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityContribución cultural de la agricultura urbana
2017C. Alejandro Rafael Socorro Castro, C. Fernando Carlos Agüero Contreras, MSc. Raúl Ramón Rodríguez Rodríguez · Revista Científica Agroecosistemas · Cuba
This study evaluates the cultural contribution of urban agriculture as a global phenomenon expanding since the second half of the 20th century. Its universality is observed in industrialized and emerging economies, characterized by a tendency to face correlated ecological or alimentary dangers. Urban agriculture's contributions stand out in both material and spiritual culture associated with agrarian and agricultural productive processes. The Cuban experience, examined in Cienfuegos, confirms international literature and highlights essential contributions that are indispensable to study and socialize for Cuban society's efforts towards 2030 goals.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePoblación y organoponía como estrategia de desarrollo local. Population and organoponia as a local development strategy
2017Wendy Castañeda Abad, Angelina Herrera Sorzano, Roberto González Sousa, Eduardo San Marful Orbis · Novedades en población · Cuba (Havana)
This research studied the organization, structure, and development of urban agriculture in Cuba, focusing on organoponia as a high-performance modality developed with agroecological techniques in the urban territory of Havana province. The study considered the behavior of these organoponicos in the territory and their impact on the community as a factor in local development.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceNúmero ordinario (julio-diciembre)
2017Tec. Jesús Gioser Medina Varens · Revista Científica Agroecosistemas · Ecuador (Machala)
This issue of Revista Científica Agroecosistemas contains multiple articles on various agricultural and environmental topics. One article discusses the potential of urban agriculture for small entrepreneurs in Machala canton, Ecuador, as part of sustainable food systems. Another article explores the cultural contribution of urban agriculture.
EconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePaisaje rururbano en el borde sur de Bogotá, Usme, veredas la Requilina y el Uval : lineamientos de ocupación para la consolidación de un paisaje agroecológico sostenible
2017Daniel Balcero Benitez · · Colombia (Bogotá)
This study proposes a rururban landscape (urban-agricultural) for the Usme district in southern Bogotá. It is based on a model for ordering rururban fringes and sustainable occupation typologies for these territories, responding to expansive pressures from high environmental impact uses (mining, landfill) and urban growth on peasant territories. The proposal starts from the preservation and strengthening of the environment and current peasant ways of life.
Peri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEFFECT 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 & justiceThe 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 & justiceFACTORS AFFECTING URBAN DWELLERS TO PRACTICE URBAN AGRICULTURE.
2017IdaNaziera Ngahdiman, Rika Terano, Zainalabidin Mohamed, Juwaidah Sharifuddin · International Journal of Advanced Research · Global
Urban farming is becoming an important activity among urban dwellers in most developing countries. This is to ensure full utilization of available space for agriculture and for sustaining.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCollaborative planning via urban agriculture: The case of Tegucigalpa, Honduras
2017Andrea Oyuela, Arnold van der Valk · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Honduras (Tegucigalpa)
This study questions the adequacy of Tegucigalpa's top-down planning system in Honduras and explores urban agriculture (UA) as a potential building block for a bottom-up strategy. While UA is organized in Tegucigalpa due to residents' need to overcome food insecurity and hardship, the concept of active citizenship and bottom-up development is not yet consolidated. Furthermore, challenges exist regarding the resources needed for practicing UA and the diffusion of knowledge to the population.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceA political ecology of community gardens in Australia: form local issues to global lessons
2017Jason Byrne, CM Pickering, DA Guitart, R Sims-Castley · eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) · Australia
This chapter addresses the implications of urban cultivation initiatives for land-use planning and policy, against a backdrop of renewed interest in urban agriculture due to global urbanization impacts such as dwindling green spaces, food insecurity, land shortages, and loss of biodiversity. These initiatives are often framed around the social benefits of local food growing and sustainability, with residents clamoring for better access to places to grow safe and healthy food, spaces that foster social inclusion, and improved environmental quality.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban agriculture is a step towards organic production and sustainable development
2017Shirin Yajam, Mohammad Taghi Alebrahim, Roghaye Majd, Mehrdad Sabouhi · · Global
A study examining the role and benefits of urban agriculture was conducted based on library resources, documents, and evidence of successful examples in other countries. It was shown that urban agriculture can play an important role in increasing food security, improving nutrition, reducing poverty, developing local economies, creating jobs, and recycling municipal waste. The study concluded that urban agriculture can be considered an appropriate solution for sustainable urban development in environmental issues and for improving food security and safety.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsWelfareOrganic cycleLa producción agrícola urbana como alternativa de alimentación comunitaria y excedentes comercializables generadores de ingresos familiares en la población vulnerable de Altos de Cazuca.
2017José Elvis Sierra Borras, Nubia Esperanza Suárez Suárez, Diana Bocanegra, Blanca Restrepo de Peña · · Colombia (Soacha)
In the Loma Linda neighborhood of Altos de Cazuca, Soacha, Colombia, participatory action research was conducted with 62 randomly selected families living in extreme poverty. The study found that 49.9% of the population was 60 years or older, 50.1% was between 40 and 60 years old, with an absence of young people. The horticultural component of the basic family basket was 50% supplied by artisanal or rudimentary activities, but production volumes could not be quantified, preventing the measurement of production capacity for marketable surpluses.
WelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityOpen Garden: a local organic producer–consumer network in Hungary, going through various levels of system innovation
2017Edina Vadovics, Matthew Hayes · · Hungary
A case study of the Open Garden Foundation, a local organic producer-consumer network in Hungary, was conducted. The foundation developed within a Central Eastern European socioeconomic context not supportive of radical solutions for the agricultural sector and rural communities. The study focused on the development of organic agriculture in Hungary, food consumption trends, opportunities for purchasing local organic products, and people's awareness of organic products. The Open Garden's management transitioned from the not-for-profit to the for-profit sector, while the main actors remained consistent.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleAnalisis Produksi Microgreens Brassica oleracea Berinovasi Urban Gardening Untuk Peningkatan Mutu Pangan Nasional
2017Vina Febriani, Evy Nasrika, Tri Munasari, Yoan Permatasari, Talitha Widiatningrum · Journal of Creativity Students · Global
This paper introduces "Mba-Gening," an urban gardening innovation for cultivating Brassica oleracea microgreens, as a solution for limited land and the demand for organic food. Microgreens are harvested in 10-14 days and possess up to six times the nutritional value of mature green vegetables. This production is said to meet the demand for organic broccoli and offers a good business opportunity due to a wide market and lack of competitors.
DIYHealthFood sovereignty & justiceFeeding Megacities by Urban Agriculture
2017Rattan Lal · · Global
This chapter describes the nature, properties, restoration, and sustainable management of urban soils to enhance food security and environmental quality. It notes that urban ecosystems are rapidly expanding and changing, with urban soils often classified as Anthropic soils. Drastic human-induced disturbances to urban soils hinder ecosystem functions, but restoration strategies aim to create novel soil types that improve vegetative production, denature pollutants, reduce salinization, and strengthen biogeochemical and biogeophysical cycling.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleClimate changeUrbanization, Food Security and Nutrition
2017Marie T. Ruel, James Leo Garrett, Sivan Yosef, Meghan Olivier · · Global
This chapter reviews poverty, food security, and malnutrition in urban versus rural areas, noting a rapid shift of poverty to urban areas and high prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition among urban dwellers. It highlights alarming rises in urban overweight and obesity, alongside persistent undernutrition. The review identifies critical knowledge gaps regarding factors shaping urban food security and calls for new research and data to inform policies supporting urban agriculture, healthy food access, and income generation to address these challenges.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsUrban–rural linkageLa agricultura urbana como fenómeno de progreso local : experiencias en la ciudad de Bogotá
2017Izquierdo Acosta, Daniel Francisco · · Colombia (Bogotá)
This study examined five urban agriculture experiences in Bogotá, Colombia, focusing on productivity (species richness and market prices), resource use and management (water, energy, land, waste), and human organizational forms. The research aims to make these contexts known to farmers and academia, providing insights for better implementation of urban agriculture.
Food sovereignty & justiceFood educationCommunityEconomicsReview – Cities and Agriculture
2017Aloysius Clemence Mosha · Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance · Global
The book 'Cities and Agriculture' presents experience and evidence on key dimensions of urban food challenges and types of intra- and peri-urban agriculture across 15 chapters. This book illuminated the urban challenge of food provisioning, which has long been overlooked in urban studies, policies, and planning. Neglecting the dynamics and sustainability of food provisioning in scientific research on sustainable urban development is identified as a serious omission, given its significant social and physical impact.
Urban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyMapping urban agriculture in Portugal: Lessons from practice and their relevance for European post-crisis contexts
2017Cecília Delgado · Moravian Geographical Reports · Portugal
This article analyzes 29 urban agriculture (UA) initiatives in Portugal, finding that UA primarily involves allotment gardens, urban farms, and short food chains, focusing on vegetables and fruit. It predominantly occurs on public and institutional land, championed by municipalities and civil society. UA is a recent metropolitan phenomenon that expanded rapidly after the 2008 economic crisis, organizing activities around food production, processing/distribution, and capacity building.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justice