Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(312 / 363)
Cercospora Leaf Spot of Eggplant
2012Shikha Srivastava, Scot Nelson · ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa) · United States (Hawaii)
This article discusses Cercospora leaf spot, a common fungal disease affecting eggplant in home and community gardens in Hawaii. It describes the pathogen and disease symptoms, offering integrated practices to improve plant growth and yields for gardeners.
DIYCommunityHealthThe Contribution of Women to Food Security and Livelihoods through Urban Agriculture in the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
2012Fungai Hamilton Mudzengerere · · Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)
This research investigated the contribution of women to food security and family livelihoods through urban agriculture in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Primary data collected through observations and interviews showed that women practice urban agriculture more than men and play a crucial role in household food security. While women make decisions on crop types, harvest times, and markets, they face challenges with land ownership, financing, and market access, which negatively affect their agricultural activities.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsCommunityResearch on SWOT Analysis of Urban Agricul Development in Tongling and the Countermeasures
2012Tian Zhi-an · Science Technology and Industry · China (Tongling)
A SWOT analysis of urban agriculture development in Tongling City, China, found that the city's urban agriculture conditions are mature. The study recommends leveraging policy support, planning guidance, and scientific and technological support to accelerate its development.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityEnvironmeNT grants making a real difference
2012Karl Hampton · · Australia
The EnvironmeNT grants initiative has supported various areas, including Indigenous Ranger groups for weed management, wildlife rescue services, school recycling projects, and the establishment of community gardens. It also provided funds for threatened species protection and feral animal impact reduction.
CommunityPolicyA Farmer and Librarian’s Perspective on Urban Agriculture: What the Urban Farmer Needs from Public Policy
2012Barbara Strauss · EngagedScholarship @ Cleveland State University (Cleveland State University) · United States
A presentation was given at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law symposium, "Urban Agriculture: It’s Not an Oxymoron. Policies for Cultivating City Land and Increasing Access to Local Food," which focused on policy, land-use, and other legal issues related to urban agriculture and the local food movement. The Sustainability Research Guide from the Michael Schwartz Library was also introduced during this presentation.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEffects of Biosolids Based Soil Products on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Urban Gardens
2012Kristen McIvor, Craig Cogger, Sally Brown · Compost Science & Utilization · United States (Tacoma)
A study in Tacoma, Washington, evaluated the effects of two biosolids-based soil products, Tagro and GroCo, on soil physical and chemical properties in three urban community gardens over two growing seasons. Amendments were applied at 200 Mg ha−1 dry weight in the first year, with half receiving an additional 200 Mg ha−1 in the second year. Biosolids did not significantly affect total soil metal concentrations, but increased water infiltration rates from 10.1 ± 0.95 ml min−1 to 51–212 ml min−1, decreased bulk density from 1.07 ± 0.01 g cm−3 to 0.51–0.77 g cm−3, and increased total carbon, nitrogen, and available phosphorus. Biosolids addition also decreased soil pH from 6.43 to 5.35–5.75.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityAssessment of the Environment Risks of Reuse of Untreated Wastewater in Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture: A Case Study of Nairobi in Kenya
2012Catherine Rwamba Githuku · Abstracts of postgraduate thesis · Kenya (Nairobi)
This study investigated soil and crop pollution levels resulting from untreated wastewater reuse for irrigation in Kibera and Mailisaba wastewater irrigation farms in Nairobi, Kenya. Analysis of irrigation water, soil, and crop samples (maize, kales, black nightshade, arrowroots) revealed that the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of irrigation water at Mailisaba exceeded recommended levels. Farmers reported adverse effects on crops due to wastewater quality, and despite awareness of health risks, many farmers confessed to not using protective clothing.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureZoonotic Agents in Small Ruminants Kept on City Farms in Southern Germany
2012Anna‐Katarina Schilling, Helmut Hotzel, Ulrich Methner, Lisa D. Sprague, Gernot Schmoock, Hosny El‐Adawy, Ralf Ehricht, Anna-Caroline Wöhr, Michael Erhard, Lutz Geue · Applied and Environmental Microbiology · Germany
This study investigated the presence of zoonotic agents in small ruminants kept on city farms in southern Germany, sampling feces and nasal liquid from 48 animals (28 goats, 20 sheep) across 7 city farms and one activity playground. Findings revealed that 100% of sampled sheep and 89.3% of goats carried Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Staphylococcus spp. were detected in 75% of both sheep and goats, and Campylobacter spp. in 25% of sheep and 14.3% of goats. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Coxiella burnetii was found.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunitySustaining livelihoods under a changing climate: the case of urban agriculture in Lusaka, Zambia
2012Mulala Danny Simatele, Tony Binns, Munacinga Simatele · Journal of Environmental Planning and Management · Zambia (Lusaka)
This paper, based on recent field-based research in Lusaka, Zambia, examines the relationships between urban agriculture (UA) and extreme weather conditions, and their impact on the livelihood options of the urban poor. Despite its significance as a source of food and income in many sub-Saharan African cities, UA has not been integrated into urban development and planning policy and has come under increasing pressure from extreme weather events like droughts and flooding over the last two decades.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyEconomicsAnalysis and Optimization of the Industrial Structure in Quanzhou City with the “West Coast of the Taiwan Straits” as the Background
2012Qiu Yan · Journal of Quanzhou Normal University · China (Quanzhou)
This article analyzed Quanzhou City's past ten years of three production sectors, labor structure trends, and their influence on the Strait West Coast economic area's industrial structure. Using GDP proportion, contribution rate, structural similarity, and comparative labor productivity, it suggested that Quanzhou should optimize its industrial structure and promote cross-strait economic zone development. Optimization suggestions included advancing agricultural multi-function transformation, forming regional urban agriculture, fostering strategic emerging industries, and strengthening modern service industries.
EconomicsPolicyDiscussion on Tianjin urban fisheries' development
2012Huang Xue-qun · · China (Tianjin)
This paper analyzed the development status of Tianjin urban fishery, finding it to be in an early stage. Problems identified included a low level of industrial development, an unscientific development mode, and weak innovation capability. The study proposed development paths and measures for industrial transformation and upgrading.
Economic viabilityEconomicsPolicyCommunityAnalysis Based on Diamond Model of Nanchang Urban Modern Agriculture Competitiveness
2012Wenjuan Hu · Tianjin Agricultural Sciences · China (Nanchang)
This paper analyzed the competitive power of Nanchang urban agriculture using the Diamond model. The analysis considered production factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, business strategies and structure, and horizontal competition. The study presented countermeasures and suggestions, including developing low-carbon agriculture and optimizing organizational forms.
EconomicsPolicyClimate changePerspectives on The Effectiveness of NGO Initiatives in Urban Agriculture In Zimbabwe
2012Batanai L Sammie, Charles Nyamutowa, Munyaradzi Gwazane · International Journal of Scientific Research · Zimbabwe
This study used FGDs and case studies to identify perceived causes of failure of NGO urban agriculture initiatives in Zimbabwe. The study identified the principal-agent relationship between NNGOs and LNGOs as the epicenter of all initiative failures.
Governance failurePolicyCommunity对西宁市川浅村庄发展“城郊都市型”农业的调查与思考——以湟中县拦隆口镇泥隆台村为例
2012Hua Zhu, 杨军 · 青海社会科学 · China (Xining)
This paper studies the current status, existing problems, and development countermeasures for peri-urban agriculture in Xining City's Chuanqian villages. By analyzing agricultural development in Nilongtai Village, it discusses development models and policy suggestions for peri-urban agriculture in Chuanqian villages. Xining City's Chuanqian villages are a key area for urban agriculture development during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyResearch on the Dynamic Model for the Urban Agriculture Planning——Take the Dutch City of Delft as an Example
2012Lijie He · · Netherlands (Delft)
This study investigated urban agriculture development within city planning, using the Dutch city of Delft as a case study. It developed a dynamic model for land allocation in urban agriculture by applying Multi-criteria Evaluation (MCE) to assess its relation to other city development factors. MCE and Geographic Information System (GIS) were integrated to create suitability maps, providing references for urban agriculture land utilization for planners and policymakers.
Policy農の風景育成地区制度
2011東京都都市整備局 · 東京都都市整備局（民有地の緑の保全・創出 制度） · Japan
A Tokyo system created in 2011 to conserve dwindling farmland as open space and carry the agricultural landscape into the future. Districts where farmland and homestead groves remain clustered are designated so that scattered farmland can be conserved collectively as urban-planning parks/green space. Designations include Setagaya's Kitami (the first) and Nerima's Takamatsu and Minami-Oizumi, providing the policy framework for municipal urban-farmland conservation.
PolicyBiodiversityCommunity地域固有の食文化が観光の対象となるまでの形成過程に関する一考察：大和の伝統野菜を事例として
2011Katakami T. · 観光研究 (Journal of the Japan Institute of Tourism Research) · Japan
Using Yamato traditional vegetables, examines the process by which place-specific food culture becomes a tourism resource, stressing the role of key persons creatively managing how the culture is supplied to others.
Heirloom & landraceCommunityEconomicsFood educationAssessing the vulnerability of traditional maize seed systems in Mexico to climate change
2011Bellon M. R., Hodson D., Hellin J. · PNAS 108(33):13432-13437 · Mexico
Assesses farmer-based traditional maize seed systems in Mexico and their vulnerability to climate change, with implications for maintaining and adapting landrace diversity in situ.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityPolicyHealthy Workplaces: The Effects of Nature Contact at Work on Employee Stress and Health
2011Largo-Wight E., Chen W. W., Dodd V., Weiler R. · Public Health Reports · United States
Survey of 503 university office staff finding that as workday nature contact (gardens, plants, greenery) increases, perceived stress and general health complaints decrease, providing evidence for workplace greening and garden programs.
HealthWelfareGrowing what you eat: Developing community gardens in Baltimore, Maryland
2011Corrigan M. P. · Applied Geography 31(4):1232-1241 · United States
Qualitative study of Baltimore community gardens via interviews and observation. Gardens contributed to individual, household and community food security but needed added support through education, policy and funding.
WelfareCommunityFood educationThe Influence of Social Involvement, Neighborhood Aesthetics, and Community Garden Participation on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
2011Litt J. S., Soobader M.-J., Turbin M. S., Hale J. W., Buchenau M., Marshall J. A. · American Journal of Public Health 101(8):1466-1473 · United States
Denver survey finding community gardeners ate fruits and vegetables 5.7 times daily versus 4.6 for home gardeners and 3.9 for non-gardeners, with social involvement and neighborhood aesthetics also shaping intake.
HealthCommunityUrban agriculture and poverty reduction: Evaluating how food production in cities contributes to food security, employment and income in Malawi
2011Mkwambisi D. D., Fraser E. D. G., Dougill A. J. · Journal of International Development 23(2):181-203 · Malawi
Evaluates how urban food production in Malawi contributes to food security, employment and income, showing its role as a livelihood strategy for the poor while identifying constraints in land, inputs and institutional support.
EconomicsWelfareD-Town Farm: African American Resistance to Food Insecurity and the Transformation of Detroit
2011White M. M. · Environmental Practice 13(4):406-417 · United States
Case study of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, framing farming as resistance to structural food insecurity and a site of community building, culturally relevant food education, and political agency.
CommunityWelfarePeri-urbanisation and multifunctional adaptation of agriculture around Copenhagen
2011Zasada, I., Fertner, C., Piorr, A., Nielsen, T.A.S. · Geografisk Tidsskrift–Danish Journal of Geography 111(1), 59–72 · Denmark
A regression analysis of peri-urban agriculture around Copenhagen, showing that different urbanization processes shape the spatial distribution of multifunctional adaptation strategies (leisure- and environment-oriented).
EconomicsSustainable Urban Agriculture in Cuba
2011Koont S. · University Press of Florida (Contemporary Cuba series) · Cuba
This book provides a comprehensive account of Cuba's world-leading sustainable urban agriculture program, documenting a thousand-fold increase in urban agricultural output since 1994 and analyzing how government organizational infrastructure and human capital investment enabled this transformation.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsOrganic cycle