Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(305 / 363)
Food Justice, Hunger and the City
2012Nik Heynen, Hilda E. Kurtz, Amy Trauger · Geography Compass · Global
This review essay highlights a growing interest in issues related to food, cities, and inequality within geography. It signals the utility of concepts such as community food security, food sovereignty, and urban agriculture for conceptually linking food, justice, and cities. The essay suggests these concepts are poised to define new sub-disciplinary trajectories.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomicsSMALL-SCALE URBAN AGRICULTURE.TRANSFORMATION OF FAMILY GARDENS IN RIGA
2012Sersnova Sersnova · · Latvia (Riga)
This study concerns small-scale urban agriculture and the transformation of family gardens in Riga, Latvia. Urban agriculture has gained recognition globally in recent decades due to its economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeAgroecological urban agriculture - strategy for health promotion and food and nutrition security
2012Silvana Maria Ribeiro, Elaine de Azevedo, Maria Cecília Focesi Pelicioni, Cláudia Maria Bógus, Isabel Maria Teixeira Bicudo Pereira · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
This documentary research examined agroecological urban agriculture in relation to health promotion and food security movements, involving local communities. Data was synthesized from reports, field records, testimonies, and interviews with a project coordinator. The study found that agroecological urban agriculture contributed to community protagonism, popular participation, and increased feeding and environmental awareness among social actors.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthFood educationChapter 27 Urban agriculture and seasonal food footprints: an LCA study of tomato production and consumption in the UK
2012Gillean M. Denny · · United Kingdom
This study investigated the ability of urban agriculture (UA) to decrease food-related greenhouse gas emissions, using a life cycle analysis of tomatoes, produce surveys in East Anglia, and household surveys of 183 UA-practicing households. It found that UA participation can reduce an individual's tomato consumption emissions from 52.4 kg CO2e/yr to 11.2 kg CO2e/yr. This reduction amounts to 44% from a non-UA, low-emission diet and 78% from a supermarket diet.
Climate changeFood miles & supply chainDIYEconomicsA Critique of Localist Political Economy and Urban Agriculture
2012Greg Sharzer · Historical Materialism · Global
This critique examines urban agriculture (UA) in the Global North through the lens of capitalist production, specifically capital centralization and rent. It argues that while UA can occupy market niches, its prospects for replacing large-scale agriculture are limited. The expansion of UA is constrained by rising land values and rent, as evidenced by examples in Detroit, Markham, and Los Angeles.
Economic viabilityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justicePreliminary results of studies on radioisotopes activity concentrations in vicinity of cement works
2012Zbigniew Ziembik, Agnieszka Dołhańczuk-Śródka, Grzegorz Kusza · Proceedings of ECOpole · Poland
Soil samples were collected from the former "Piast" cement plant within Opole city borders, Poland, and nearby allotment gardens to study radioisotope activity concentrations. Naturally occurring radioisotopes and artificial Cs were found, with K and Cs showing the biggest radioactivity concentration. No significant differences in radionuclide activities were found between soil samples from the former industrial estate and the allotment gardens.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityTransformaciones del paisaje: género y hábitat
2012Carmenza Ochoa Ochoa · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Colombia
Applied research based on Participatory Action Research (IAP) was conducted in Soacha municipality, Cundinamarca, Colombia, with vulnerable populations participating in an urban agriculture program. The study aimed to develop local and simple alternatives for environmental management and landscape improvement, focusing on the reuse and proper management of wastewater for crop irrigation. The project was carried out as stipulated and evolved during its implementation due to its IAP methodology, with observations, conclusions, and notes presented.
CommunityPolicyOrganic cycleWelfareUrban Agriculture: Crisis of Urbanization,Strategic Value and Support System
2012Qiang Li · Ecological Economy · China
This paper discusses urban agriculture in China, noting its increasing prevalence in developed and developing countries and its role in urban food supply and ecological systems. It argues that urban agriculture holds significant strategic value in alleviating crises related to energy, food, and ecology, which have emerged due to rapid urbanization in China since the 21st century. To foster its development, the paper suggests establishing a highly integrated and convenient support system for urban agriculture, based on enterprises providing production factors and technical services.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyEconomicsJapanese Encephalitis Virus in Pigs and Vectors in the Mekong Delta With Special Reference to Urban Farming
2012Johanna F. Lindahl · · Vietnam
The circulation of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in pigs and mosquitoes was investigated around Can Tho city in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Of 315 sows, 60% were JEV seropositive, and seropositivity was associated with more stillborn piglets in sows under 1.5 years old. Among 7885 mosquitoes collected in and around Can Tho city, seven pools collected near pigs tested positive for JEV, indicating co-circulation of JEV genotypes I and III. All 43 pigs sampled within Can Tho city were JEV seropositive, demonstrating that JEV can be a public health issue in urban areas.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkage11072 - Instalação de hortas orgânicas em escolas públicas de ensino fundamental e médio de Solânea, PB
2012Germano Laurentino da Cunha, Adriana Celi Alves Martins, Maria José Araújo Wanderley, Raunira da Costa Araújo, Terezinha Domiciano Dantas Martins, Francisca Alexandre de Lima · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Solânea)
This project aimed to establish organic vegetable gardens in public elementary and high schools in Solânea, Paraíba, Brazil. Funded by CNPq, the initiative involved installing 14 garden beds with various vegetables in each participating school. Students received mini-courses on organic vegetable production, and participated in making compost and biofertilizers. The target audience demonstrated receptiveness and support for the work.
Food educationCommunityCompostOrganic cycleDe la acrópolis a la agrópolis: estrategias en busca de una seguridad alimentaria y sostenibilidad ambiental
2012Raul Alberto Marino Zamudio · · Global
Global cities are major consumers of resources, and their uncontrolled expansion blurs rural-urban boundaries, impacting agricultural production essential for food security. This article examines the causes of the global food crisis and proposes strategies for cities and communities to achieve food security and environmental sustainability. These strategies involve urban agriculture in various forms and scales, and the management of urban solid waste for fertilizer and renewable energy production.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeOrganic cycleCommunity-Engaged Learning in Food Systems and Public Health
2012Julie L. Self, Becky Handforth, Janelle Hartman, Corey McAuliffe, Elizabeth Noznesky, Rebecca J. Schwei, Laura Whitaker, Amanda Wyatt, Amy Girard · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States
A student-driven, community-engaged learning course was developed to enhance student understanding of complex food system determinants and food choices. The course, guided by the socio-ecological model, involved students collaborating with faculty and community partners to define its objectives and curriculum. It featured student-led modules on food preferences, agriculture systems, food access, and agricultural policy, alongside community-engaged research projects that examined food distribution models in metro Atlanta and identified strategies to improve access to healthy food in low-income areas.
Food educationCommunityHealthPolicyCSA & TeikeiStudy on Taiyuan Urban Agricultural Technology and Innovation in the Era of Low-carbon Economy
2012Guan Hai-ling · Science Technology and Industry · China (Taiyuan)
This paper examines the achievements and current status of urban agricultural development, technology, and innovation in Taiyuan. It proposes countermeasures for urban agricultural scientific and technological innovation in a low-carbon economy, including establishing a training system, supporting research institutions, increasing investment, and strengthening external exchanges and cooperation.
Digital agricultureClimate changeEconomics广东佛山搭建“三个平台”助力现代农业发展
2012陈少金, 王志容, 廖成林 · 农村工作通讯 · China (Foshan)
Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China, has developed modern agriculture by promoting urban, ecological, sightseeing, export-oriented, and brand agriculture. In 2011, the added value of modern agriculture accounted for 84.6% of the primary industry, with agricultural land output reaching 20,200 yuan per mu. This development was primarily facilitated by the establishment of "three platforms."
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageDevelopment of modern urban agriculture based on the environmental policy:taking Beijing City for example
2012NI Xiao-nin · Urban Problems · China (Beijing)
This article argues, based on an analysis of Beijing's modern agriculture and environmental agriculture policies, that urban agriculture is eliminating the gap between city and rural areas and gaining the micro-desire to obey environmental agriculture policies. Simultaneously, environmental policies support urban agriculture by internationalizing it. The article suggests that institutional innovations in environmental agriculture regulation, agricultural standardization, and environmental agriculture economic policies are necessary for better environmental and urbanization development.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomicsA Study on Experimental Construction of Community Garden - A Case Study on Rooftop of SAHA Disabled Welfare House -
2012Seunghwan Kim, Sung-Yung Yoon, Min-Jun Cha, Hae-Jin Yoo, Ji‐Young Cho, Yoon‐Sun Kim · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea
This study investigated the planning, construction, partnership, and cost-sharing processes of an experimental rooftop community garden at a disabled welfare house in South Korea. The project, led by Busan Green Trust and a citizens' council, involved funding from Standard Chartered SC First Bank, volunteers, and administrative support. The established garden provided food production, urban agriculture experience, horticultural therapy, and cultural space for users, demonstrating the potential for low-cost rooftop community gardens to improve urban environments and foster community.
CommunityWelfareHealthDIYTRADITIONAL FARMING PRACTICES AND WASTEWATER IRRIGATION FARMING IN PERIURBAN, ZAMBIA
2012Evaristo Mwaba Kapungwe · Indonesian Journal of Biotechnology (Universitas Gadjah Mada) · Zambia
This study investigated farming practices related to heavy metal contaminated wastewater irrigated farming in two peri-urban areas of Zambia: New Farm in Mufulira and Chilumba Gardens in Kafue. Data was collected by observing crop cultivation activities at field plots along transects in stratified land zones. The results revealed that farming practices were characterized by traditional land management and multiple cropping systems, influenced by agro-ecological factors and the availability of heavy metal contaminated wastewater, which has the potential to contaminate soils and crops.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleHealthPlanning against hunger in a time of abundance: scarcity, affluence, and food security within contemporary Australian urban planning
2012Chris Beer · Australian Planner · Australia
This paper examines how food security is conceptualized in Australian urban planning debates, focusing on urban and peri-urban agriculture and consumer access to healthy food. It argues these dimensions relate to planning's management of risk and freedom within liberal polities. The paper discusses tensions between scarcity, fear, affluence, and normative values in urban planning.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyPeri-urban agricultureImpact of School Gardens on Urban Youth Nutrition Knowledge in Cairo: A Theoretical Framework Analysis
2012Maha Kandil, Ahmed El-Masry, Amira Fathy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Egypt (Cairo)
This study examines the impact of school gardens on urban youth nutrition knowledge in Cairo, focusing on students aged 14-18. It will conduct a literature review to identify relevant theoretical constructs and employ a qualitative approach to explore school garden impacts. The theoretical framework suggests schools can act as hubs for nutrition education through garden-based learning, potentially leading to healthier dietary habits.
Food educationHealthCommunity[Father Luis Verplanken visits with children, Gonogochi.]
2012Luis. Verplancken · · Global
This record is an image of Father Luis Verplancken visiting children working in a school garden. The photograph was taken in the village of Gonogochi.
Food educationCommunityVictory Is a Question of Stamina Send-The Wheat Meat-Fats-Sugar the Fuel for Fighters: United States Food Administration
2012Harry L. Watson · Southern cultures · United States
This text discusses the evolution of food culture in the American South, from World War I-era calls for local food conservation to modern locavore movements. It highlights the current popularity of local food traditions and farmer's markets, while also raising concerns about the health impacts of large-scale industries like North Carolina's hog farming. Historically, the South was known for nutritional diseases alongside its traditional recipes.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsAn investigation to the implementation of rainwater harvesting and filtration system in the new Student Union Building (SUB) at UBC
2012Shuyi Lu, Mostafa Oraei, Aaron Sangha, Kingson Wong · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada
This project outlines the components of a rainwater harvesting (RWH) system and five filtration methods, then analyzes two North American RWH projects. It concludes with a triple-bottom line analysis and recommendations for implementing an RWH system in the new Student Union Building (SUB) at the University of British Columbia, which aims for LEED Platinum Certification by 2014. The RWH system is intended to significantly lower water consumption by collecting, filtering, and storing rainwater for uses like irrigating a rooftop garden and flushing toilets.
Climate changeOrganic cycleUrban Agriculture: Using Community Systems of Agriculture as a Solution to Homelessness and Unhealthy Food Sources
2012Ian Michael Mearns · University of Washington Tacoma Digital Commons (University of Washington Tacoma) · Global
This paper proposes urban agriculture as a community system, similar to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to provide homeless citizens with access to food, housing, vocational opportunities, and social resources. It suggests that urban agriculture can address the lack of employment, nutritional food sources, and housing resources that have contributed to increased homelessness over the past decade.
CommunityWelfareHealthFood sovereignty & justiceGrowth Characteristics of Herbaceous Plants by Soil Condition to Revitalize the Urban Agriculture
2012Won Jei Park, Kyung Hwan Han, Soon Hyo Kwon, Mi Ok Park, Bon Hak Koo · Journal of the Korea Society of Environmental Restoration Technology · South Korea
This study investigated optimal soil-plant combinations for urban agriculture by analyzing herbaceous plant growth in different soil types. Four commercial soils (A, B, C, D) and granite soil (E, control) were tested with fruit, leafy, and medicinal vegetables. Fruit and leafy vegetables generally grew best in D-type soil mixture and A-type soil, and poorest in control E-type soil. 'Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum' grew best in D, B, C mixed soils and A-type soil, while 'Liriope platyphylla F. T. Wang & T. Tang' showed insignificant growth differences across soils.
Organic cycleDIYAn Assessment of Soil Health and Productivity in Urban Gardens
2012Jennifer E. Reeves · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · United States (Cleveland, Ohio)
This two-year study in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, investigated urban soil health via nematode food web analysis and crop productivity via tomato fruit yield in urban gardens. Market gardens showed significantly more soil organic matter, nitrogen pools, and nematode presence than community gardens in both 2011 and 2012. However, despite these differences, there was no significant difference in the total yield of tomatoes per square meter between market and community garden types in either year. Gardens with raised beds had significantly more soil moisture content and soil organic matter than those with flat beds.
Limited or null effectCommunityEconomicsOrganic cycleHealth