Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2091 results(31 / 84)
The Place of Greening: Comparing Civic Engagement Scenes of Urban Natures across Danish Cities
2022Anders Blok, Amanda Krog Juvik, Anna Helene Kvist Møller, Jonas Skjold Raaschou-Pedersen, Jakob Laage‐Thomsen · City and Community · Denmark
This study mapped the group styles, spatial intergroup networks, and cultural-political value landscapes of 130 urban green communities across the four largest cities in Denmark using digital methods. The results showed that civic greening groups are neither neighborhood-based endeavors nor hubs of social movement mobilization, but rather geographies of co-engagement that span cities while also forging new senses and practices of place.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyA work-in-progress politics of space
2022Shawn Bodden · City · Hungary (Budapest)
This essay reflected on the everyday political work of community projects to open up space for new possibilities of living with difference within hostile political environments, drawing on Doreen Massey's ideas of space. Through the case of the Auróra community center in Budapest, Hungary, and its members' community garden project, it examined the mundane and local techniques community groups use to construct better possible futures. The analysis suggested the importance of analyzing the situated and ongoing "terms of engagement" through which people open up, or close down, better possible spaces and ways of living with difference.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyMapping Gendered Ecologies: Engaging with and beyond Ecowomanism and Ecofeminism ed. by K. Melchor Quick Hall and Gwyn Kirk
2022Priya R. Chandrasekaran · NWSA Journal · Global
This review discusses "Mapping Gendered Ecologies: Engaging with and beyond Ecowomanism and Ecofeminism," a fifteen-chapter anthology edited by K. Melchor Quick Hall and Gwyn Kirk. The collection explores the power of ecofeminism and ecowomanism, revealing obscured relationships and ideas, and outlining pathways for socio-ecological healing and sustainability. It is recommended for scholars and collaborators in various fields, including environmental studies, women and gender studies, and urban studies.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyCommunity Research Extension Continuum in Urban Agriculture in an Urban Barangay of Northern Philippines
2022Mary Ann N Daculog, Thea P Suaco, Romalyn D Parado · Advances in Agriculture Horticulture and Entomology · Philippines (Baguio City)
This study analyzed the chemical properties of soil in Barangay Lucnab, Baguio City, Philippines, focusing on macronutrient and micronutrient presence. Findings revealed low soil moisture content (27.26% to 33.60%) and strongly acidic pH levels (4.1 to 4.83). Organic matter content was also low (2.71% to 3.45%), suggesting that the soil's acidity may impact nutrient availability and solubility, thereby reducing harvest and productivity.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceValuing the Benefits and Enhancing Access: Community and Allotment Gardens in Urban Melbourne, Australia
2022Aisling Bailey, Jonathan Kingsley · Land · Australia (Melbourne)
This qualitative study explored perceptions of benefits and challenges in six urban community and allotment gardens in Melbourne, Australia, through semi-structured interviews with 23 participants. Findings identified perceived benefits and demographic patterns, but also highlighted challenges to participation due to insecurity around ongoing land access. The gardens were perceived to contribute to social and environmental wellbeing.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthEconomicsDirty Hands: Exploring Elementary School Gardens to Develop Pro-Environmental Attitudes
2022Melissa Parks, Hope P. Hershey, Skye Sobzack, Mercedes Tichenor · Kappa Delta Pi Record · Global
This paper describes the benefits of elementary school gardening experiences and offers suggestions on how to nurture positive environmental attitudes among children through garden-based learning activities.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityOrganic Markets, Participatory Guarantee Systems, and Community-Supported Agriculture for Sustainable Food Communities
2022Özge Yalçıner Ercoşkun · IGI Global eBooks · Global
This chapter analyzes direct organic marketing mechanisms and community-building approaches, such as organic markets, participatory guarantee systems, and community-supported agriculture. It demonstrates these cultures and provides best practices for creating sustainable food community networks globally. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the significance of sociality and locality, thus contributing to the long-term goal of sustainable development and resilience.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsA szociális farmok helyzete és elméleti keretei
2022István Bazsik · Studia Mundi - Economica · Hungary
A study examined the situation and theoretical frameworks of social farms in Hungary. The social farm system in the country is in its infancy, with fewer than 50 farms, many of which are not necessarily farms. Initiatives often focus exclusively on specific target groups and prioritize social functions over agricultural production, which limits successful inclusion and integration.
WelfareHealthCommunityFood educationElderlyThe Complex Character of Plaza de la Revolución
2022Susan Anne Mansel Fitzgerald · · Cuba (Havana)
In Havana, Cuba, at Plaza de la Revolución, La Sazón, an urban farming and market, utilizes interstitial spaces to provide fresh produce and meat to the local community. This garden contributes to Cuba's emerging entrepreneurial and sustainable economy by connecting cultivation to consumption and fostering close relationships with other businesses and community groups.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageHow Do Different Modes of Governance Support Ecosystem Services/Disservices in Small-Scale Urban Green Infrastructure? A Systematic Review
2022Sina Razzaghi Asl, Hamil Pearsall · Land · Global
This systematic review evaluated how different modes of governance support ecosystem services (ES) in small-scale urban green infrastructure (UGI). Governance was assessed in six types of UGI: small parks, community gardens, vacant lands, rain gardens, green roofs, and street trees, examining the characteristics of four governance approaches: adaptive, network, mosaic, and transformative. Each governance mode was found to be potentially effective for managing the ES of certain small-scale UGI. The study highlights knowledge gaps at the intersection between governance arrangements and ES in small-scale UGI.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeChange is inevitable, but is gentrification?
2022Megan Marshall · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global
"A Recipe for Gentrification" is an edited volume exploring the complex relationship between intent and impact at the intersection of alternative food systems and urban development. The book aims to unpack how food systems can both drive and resist gentrification. It shows that well-intentioned efforts to increase food access in a neighborhood can be an early initiator of gentrification, and urban agriculture and public green spaces are frequently co-opted for development efforts.
Equity & displacementEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityThe Pandemic Boom of Urban Agriculture: Challenging the Role of Resiliency in Transforming our Future Urban (Food) Systems
2022Angie Sassano, Christopher Mayes, Yin Paradies · Urban Policy and Research · Australia
In Australia, COVID-19 accelerated reliance on resiliency for post-pandemic urban recovery. This study examined the use of resilience in urban agriculture proposals for cities after COVID-19, drawing on critical literature. It argues that the current pandemic conditions for urban agriculture risk perpetuating urban colonial governmentality. The paper calls for a rethinking of urban agriculture for future cities by radically disrupting the foundational colonial logics of urban spatiality.
Equity & displacementPolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceLegacy Lead in Urban Garden Soils: Communicating Risk and Limiting Exposure
2022Anna Paltseva, Zhongqi Cheng, Murray B. McBride, Maha Deeb, Sara Perl Egendorf, Peter M. Groffman · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Global
This synthesis paper summarizes current scientific knowledge on lead (Pb) contamination in urban garden soils and provides clear recommendations for assessing actual health risks and limiting exposure. Urban garden soils often contain elevated levels of Pb, mainly from legacy sources, which is a main barrier for urban gardening. Amendments are noted as unreliable for treating contaminated soils to reduce risk, as they do not always make contaminants less harmful.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleCommunityLearning science locally: Community gardens and our future
2022David Lloyd, Kathryn Paige · Frontiers in Education · Australia
A case study was conducted at The Old School Community Garden (TOSCG) in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, teaching gardening to primary students. This project focused on using the garden as a learning place for Year 1 students (aged 6–7) working with Year 4 students (aged 9–10). Gardening provides young people with opportunities to learn science concepts while addressing local issues like organic food production, encompassing central aspects of science learning such as soil science, biological science, ecosystem management, and sustainable food supply.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeBalancing urban agriculture with sustaining ecosystem services
2022Monika Egerer, Brenda B. Lin · CABI Reviews · Global
This review evaluated ecosystem services (ES) within urban agriculture (UA) systems and the trade-offs between these services. Urban agriculture provides many benefits and environmental services such as food provision, social cohesion, and climate regulation. However, it was shown that management decisions can create trade-offs between ecosystem services, where an increase in one service may potentially reduce the system's ability to provide another service at a desired level.
Environmental trade-offsBiodiversityClimate changeCommunityOrganic cycleThe Important Roles of Urban Agriculture
2022Francesco Orsini, Michele D’Ostuni · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global
Urban agriculture, which involves growing food in cities, promotes local and sustainable food systems to address global challenges such as growing urban populations, climate change, and natural resource scarcity. Farming in cities positively impacts the environment, ecosystem, and climate, while also bringing communities together and improving citizens' health.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityHealthRooftop gardening in the globe: advantages and challenges
2022Md. Abdul Quddus · Horticulture International Journal · Global
This review study investigated the scenario, advantages, and challenges of rooftop farming in urban communities. Rooftop gardening provides fresh, nutrition-rich food for urban dwellers, serves as an alternative land use, improves the urban atmosphere, and offers household recreation. Previous research indicates that insight and consciousness of roof gardening enrich wellbeing, social value, and enjoyable farming for building residents.
DIYCommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceGrowing capable kids: Exploring the nexus between the Australian Curriculum’s general capabilities, global competencies, and one school garden program
2022Beverly Christian, Karyn A. Cameron, Robyn Pearce · Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education · Australia
This qualitative case study explored how an established environmentally friendly garden program at one Australian primary school contributed to the development of core competencies. The study revealed that gardening, as part of the school program, provided opportunities for students to develop the general capabilities outlined in the Australian Curriculum. This research addresses a gap in the literature regarding how primary schools embed competencies into their learning programs.
Food educationCommunityWhat Works to Improve Nutrition and Food Sustainability across the First 2000 Days of Life: A Rapid Review
2022Rachel Laws, Megan Adam, Emma Esdaile, Penelope Love, Karen Campbell · Nutrients · Global
This rapid review synthesized evidence on what works to improve nutrition and food sustainability across the first 2000 days of life. Most systematic reviews (n=60) and grey literature (n=27) focused on interventions targeting the behavior of parents and caregivers, with no reviews focusing on food supply-chain activities. Most reviews were rated as critically low (n=28, 47%) or low (n=21, 35%) quality using AMSTAR 2.
HealthCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceThe wellbeing paradox in Hungarian local sustainable agriculture: a health psychology approach
2022Ilona Liliána Birtalan, Imre Fertő, Ágnes Neulinger, József Rácz, Attila Oláh · BMC Public Health · Hungary
This study examined situational and engagement-related work difficulties for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmers in Hungary, using interpretive phenomenology and semi-structured interviews. The research found that new modes of consumer-producer connectivity create novel issues for farmers, leading to three experiential themes: conflicted autonomy, the pressure of boxes, and social overload. These difficulties are rooted in the economic characteristics of alternative agriculture and structural conditions that require conflicting farmer roles. The study highlights the health and wellbeing costs of sustainable farming, noting that farmers often lack the time, experience, or skills for new producer-consumer connections.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiHealthWelfareCommunityProcesos de empoderamiento espacial de mujeres en la agroecología urbana en Bogotá
2022Birgit Hoinle · Revista Iberoamericana de Economía Solidaria e Innovación Socioecológica · Colombia (Bogotá)
This chapter explores the emancipatory potential of urban agroecology in Bogotá, Colombia, and its surrounding Sabana region. Based on participatory action-research conducted between 2014 and 2017 with agroecological groups, it develops a theory of spatial empowerment. The study highlights the potential of solidarity economy within the urban agroecology movement to foster spatial empowerment, discussing both contributing and hindering factors.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageWelfareFEW-meter Final Report
2022Caputo Silvio, Dorr Erica, Runrid Fox-Kämper, Hawes Jason K., Lelièvre Agnes, Newell Josh, Poniży Lidia, Schoen Victoria, Jean-Soro Liliane, Specht Kathrin, Yaman Rokiah · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
The three-year FEW-meter project, funded by the Sustainable Urbanization Global Initiative, was developed by an international consortium from France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US. It investigated the Food-Water-Energy (FEW) nexus in urban agriculture through collaboration between researchers, farmers, gardeners, and various associations. This report presents the main outcomes of the project, which involved co-production of knowledge and feedback on methodology and data analysis.
CommunityClimate changeFood educationWelfareA little does a lot: Can small-scale planting for pollinators make a difference?
2022Philip Donkersley, Sammy Witchalls, Elias H. Bloom, David W. Crowder · Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · Global
A meta-analysis of 31 studies and a 5-year study on small pollinator habitats (30 m²) at community gardens and farms (150,000 m²) assessed the effect of pollinator planting interventions. Pollinator conservation interventions increased species richness and abundance in almost all studies, with greatest increases from hedgerows (40 m²) and herbaceous interventions (500 m²). Small interventions (∼500 m²) can significantly benefit pollinators, but only when densely distributed at a landscape level, and future research is needed on their cumulative effects.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityCommunity gardens STEM
2022Ramon Majé Floriano · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Colombia (Pitalito Huila)
The STEM community gardens project aims to contribute to food security in the San Francisco, Santa Inés, and Holland villages of the Pitalito Huila municipality in Colombia. This report describes the project's development through three phases: immersion, transfer, and communication.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceEducational Frameworks for Designing Regenerative Food Systems in the Arabian Gulf
2022Anna Grichting · · Qatar
This teaching experience, conducted over seven years at Qatar University, addressed the challenge of food production in desert regions within graduate and undergraduate architecture and urbanism courses. Students designed productive architectural and urban landscapes through vertical farming, community gardening, and urban farms, among other methods. Outcomes included an increase in the integration of food production systems into student projects and a vision for Qatar University as an "edible campus."
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityClimate changePolicy