Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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9074 results(314 / 363)
Greening Buffalo's Vacant Lots
2011Chris Szczygiel · eCommons (Cornell University) · United States (Buffalo)
Greening vacant lots is one of the most cost-effective ways for the city of Buffalo to improve its neighborhoods. A program to clean up, green up, and maintain vacant lots can combat blight, raise property values and tax revenue, lower crime rates, and improve residents' quality of life. Greening lots can provide various community benefits, including jobs, educational opportunities, and a local source of fresh, nutritious food.
CommunityEconomicsFood educationHealthApplication and Prospect of Information Technology in Urban Agriculture
2011Zhuang Nan · Anhui nongye kexue · Global
This study analyzed the application of information technology in urban agriculture using theoretical and case research methods. It interpreted the connotation of urban agriculture and agricultural information technology, then forecasted the prospect of information technology application in urban agriculture based on new information technology trends.
Digital agricultureUrban–rural linkageFarmers' Professional Cooperative Organization is Important Industrial Organization to Develop Modern Urban Agriculture——A Case Study in Wuhan,Central City in Central China
2011Yang Yu-xian · Huazhong Nongye Daxue xuebao · China (Wuhan)
This paper investigates farmers' professional cooperative organizations in Wuhan, China, examining their social basis, characteristics, and organizational forms. It identifies these cooperatives as a new type of rural economic organization and an effective vehicle for modern urban agriculture. The study concludes that developing such organizations is necessary for them to become an important industrial basis for modern urban agriculture and rural areas.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyNot Quite Right Landscapes: Designing within Redundant Space in a Peri-urban Agriculture Region
2011Michael D. Howard · Design Principles and Practices An International Journal—Annual Review · Australia (Melbourne)
This case study explores potential new land-use patterns in under-utilized spaces within an intensive horticultural region in peri-urban Melbourne, Victoria, where a mismatch between title boundaries and commercial production methods has created redundant land. The project aimed to increase efficiency, introduce cross-programming, and develop a recreation strategy. It offers a design framework for reorienting land use while preserving the unique qualities of such places.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyUrban–rural linkage“Perennial Growth” in a Shrinking City: A Case Study of Urban Agriculture Policy and Planning in Cleveland, Ohio
2011Elizabeth S Schuering · Digital Commons-DePaul (DePaul University) · United States (Cleveland)
This paper examines urban agriculture as a strategy for managing vacant land in Cleveland, Ohio, a shrinking city facing population loss and economic decline. The study analyzed Cleveland's urban agriculture movement and municipal policies, including eighteen interviews with local policy experts. Findings indicate that the municipal government supports urban agriculture as a tool for the city's revitalization efforts.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageAn analysis of urban irrigation farming and its urban planning imiplication: case study of Katsina Urban area, Nigeria
2011MM Ruma · Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences · Nigeria
This paper examined wastewater reuse in urban farming in Katsina, Nigeria, by interviewing 130 households out of 276 registered with the Katsina Urban Planning Authority. It found that wastewater reuse in urban farming is a full-time, sole income source for many households and an indispensable activity for the town. Recommendations were provided for promoting and integrating this activity into local planning processes.
EconomicsPolicyPeri-urban agricultureCommunityThe Impact of a School Garden and Cooking Program on Boys’ and Girls’ Fruit and Vegetable Preferences, Taste Rating, and Intake
2011Rachael Jaenke, Clare E. Collins, Philip J. Morgan, David R. Lubans, Kristen L. Saunders, Janet M. Warren · Health Education & Behavior · Australia (New South Wales)
This study investigated gender differences in the impact of a school garden and nutrition curriculum on fruit and vegetable intake, willingness to taste, and taste ratings among 127 children (11-12 years, 54% boys) in regional New South Wales, Australia. A significant gender difference was found only for carrot taste rating, with girls rating it higher, but no significant gender differences were observed for fruit and vegetable consumption or willingness to taste other vegetables. While a group effect was seen for overall willingness to taste and taste ratings for several vegetables, no significant treatment-time effect was found for vegetable intake in either gender.
Food educationHealthDESIGN LIVE LOADS FOR ROOFTOP GARDENS BASED ON SURVEY RESULTS OF URBAN DETACHED HOUSES
2011Takao Koyama, Takayuki Minagawa, Tsutomu Hanai, Hideki IDOTA · Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering (Transactions of AIJ) · Japan (Tokyo)
The validity of using residential design live loads for rooftop gardens has not been confirmed. This study proposes new design live load values for rooftop gardens based on building survey results from 24 steel-framed houses in the Tokyo area. The proposed design live load value will enable rational structural design for residences with rooftop gardens.
DIYPerformance of poverty alleviation projects in South Africa: The case of Vhembe Districtin Limpopo Province
2011M. Tshitangoni, A. Okorie, Joseph Francis · Scientific Research and Essays · South Africa
In Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, the performance of 30 poverty alleviation projects (12 community gardens, 8 poultry, 2 piggery, 2 bakery, 6 other) was reviewed. Based on structured questionnaires with 108 respondents, project performance differed by type. All bakery projects were successful, poultry projects achieved 62% success, and community garden and other projects each achieved 33% success. In contrast, all piggery projects performed poorly.
Limited or null effectCommunityWelfareEconomicsUrban Agriculture and Its Development Strategy
2011Weiming Liu · Economic Research Guide · Global
This paper discusses how urban agriculture accelerates after industrialization and urbanization reach a certain level, keeping pace with the development of industrialization, urbanization, and the economy. It states the importance of recognizing the need for good city planning with reasonable layout and design for urban agriculture, while also strengthening research and exploitation of urban agricultural technology.
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageDigital agriculturePOLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS EM AGRICULTURA URBANA E PERIURBANA NO BRASIL
2011Pedro Paulo Videiro Rosa · Revista Geográfica de América Central · Brazil
This paper provides a preliminary analysis of a document by FAO and Brazil's MDS, which identified and characterized urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) initiatives in Brazilian Metropolitan Regions. The article relates this document to existing Brazilian legislation and public policies, discussing the refunctionalization of urban spaces to integrate economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors. It also reports on contemporary UPA experiences aligned with agroecology principles and discusses the definition of urban agriculture to identify bottlenecks in its promotion.
PolicyPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsCommunityCOMPOSICIÓN Y RIQUEZA DE INSECTOS Y ARAÑAS ASOCIADOS A PLANTAS FLORECIDAS EN SISTEMAS AGRÍCOLAS URBANOS
2011Yaril Matienzo Brito, Marlene M. Veitía Rubio, Giraldo Alayón García · Fitosanidad · Cuba
This study identified the species that most frequently visit flowers of different plant species in urban agricultural systems, using weekly simple random sampling in different production systems of Havana province during 2007-2009. Functional groups with higher species richness associated with the flowers were Coleoptera, Araneae, and Hymenoptera, in that order. Cycloneda sanguinea limbifer Casey and Apis mellifera L. were arthropods that visited a greater number of flowering plant species.
BiodiversityPollinatorsURBAN AGRICULTURE WAYS TO URBAN ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION IN BEIJING
2011Huang Qin · Resources and Industries · China (Beijing)
This paper, based on a case study of Beijing, China, discusses the necessity of integrating urban agriculture into urban ecological infrastructure construction. Through data review and comprehensive analysis, it examines the diverse services of urban agriculture, urban morphological evolution problems, green space construction bottlenecks, and urban-rural integrated development requirements. The paper analyzes specific ways urban agriculture can support urban ecological infrastructure in suburban, outer suburban, and mountainous regions, proposing government policy guarantees like optimized planning and financial support.
CommunityPolicyClimate changeUrban–rural linkageRegional Foodsheds: Are Our Local Zoning and Land Use Regulations Healthy?
2011Patricia E. Salkin, Amy Lavine · FLASH - Fordham Law Archive of Scholarship & History (Fordham University) · Global
This article examines how existing land use plans and regulations can promote healthier and more sustainable communities through the regional foodshed movement. It discusses specific land use strategies applicable in urban and suburban settings globally, focusing on facilitating local and regional food production and distribution. These strategies include supporting smaller-scale community gardens, residential agricultural uses, and farmers markets, moving beyond traditional farmland preservation.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityPossibilities of using ornamental vegetables in landscape architecture.
2011S. L. Balcău, Maria Apahidean · Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Horticulture · Global
This paper emphasizes that vegetables can be used not only for alimentary purposes but also for decoration, proposing the "edible landscaping" system. Root vegetables can be used for creating vegetation carpets and beds, kale for borders, squares, and flower stands, and vegetables cultivated for pods, beans, and capsules for decorating pergolas and towers. Green vegetables are preferred for creating colorful views or color contrasts. To arrange beautiful gardens using ornamental vegetables, basic landscape architecture principles must be followed, and plants chosen carefully.
DIYQuintais urbanos: agricultura urbana na Favela do Parolin, no bairro Fanny e no bairro Lindóia, Curitiba, Paraná
2011Michelle Melissa Althaus Ottmann, Nilce Nazareno da Fonte, Nério Aparecido Cardoso, Mailane Raizer da Cruz · Revista Acadêmica Ciência Animal · Brazil (Curitiba)
This exploratory study characterized urban agriculture (UA) practiced in the backyards of Favela do Parolin and the Fanny and Lindóia neighborhoods in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Data was collected through interviews, observational visits, and questionnaires with public school students. The research found that UA in these communities' backyards is still underexplored, especially its potential for food production and social interaction, indicating a need for collective organization.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceIlluminating Urban Agriculture: a new framework for understanding complexity
2011Helena K. Farrell · ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst (University of Massachusetts Amherst) · Global
Modern food systems are vulnerable, necessitating a transition to regenerative agricultural practices. Urban agriculture is expanding globally to meet urban dwellers' needs and mitigate the effects of industrial agriculture. The wide variety of urban agriculture styles, practices, and production modes highlights the need for clearer articulation and more accurate distinctions between actual urban farm systems. An evaluative framework was developed in this research to assess urban farm systems using a current and comprehensive set of criteria and metrics. The long-term role of urban food production in feeding the global population remains unclear.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyUrban–rural linkageReproductive Health And The Industrialized Food System: A Point Of Intervention For Health Policy
2011Patrice Sutton, David Wallinga, Joanne Perron, Michelle Gottlieb, Lucia Sayre, Tracey J. Woodruff · Health Affairs · United States
This article examines evidence that the intensive use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, and fossil fuels in food production, as well as chemicals in food packaging, are potentially harmful to human reproductive and developmental health. The US food production system, while relatively low in cost, often yields food that is high in calories and low in nutritional value. The authors conclude that policies to advance a healthy food system are necessary to prevent adverse reproductive health effects.
HealthPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceChemical and microbial properties of farmer’s field soils fertilized with municipal solid wastes without pretreatment in the peri-urban zone of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
2011Eckhard Hein, TW Kabore, A. Bilgo, SN Sall, Dominique Massé · International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences · Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)
This study evaluated the impact of untreated municipal solid waste (MSW) on soil properties in peri-urban agricultural fields near Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Soils receiving MSW for 7 to 20 years showed up to a two-fold increase in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, with older fields having higher increases. While microbial biomass was significantly higher in MSW-fertilized soils, microbial activity and catabolic diversity were not significantly different.
Peri-urban agricultureCompostOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceAgricultura Apoiada pela Comunidade: poderia a experiência dos agricultores americanos ser útil para os agricultores urbanos brasileiros?
2011Marina Castelo Branco, RS Liz, F. A. de Alcântara, HAG Martins, J.A Hanson · Horticultura Brasileira · Brazil
This study gathered information on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA/AAC) projects in the US and assessed the willingness of consumers and poor urban producers in a low-income Brazilian city to engage in such projects. US AAC farmers typically cultivated less than 2 hectares, offered various vegetables for at least four months, but faced challenges with production planning and long-term maintenance. Brazilian consumers showed willingness to participate, mainly for fresh, organically produced food, while poor urban producers were unwilling due to their inability to guarantee production.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsWelfarePolicyImproving fruit and vegetable consumption: use of farm-to-consumer venues among US adults.
2011Heidi M. Blanck, Olivia M. Thompson, Linda Nebeling, Amy L. Yaroch · PubMed · United States
This study analyzed data from 1,994 US adults from the National Cancer Institute's Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey to assess the use of farm-to-consumer venues for purchasing fruits and vegetables. It found that 27% of grocery shoppers reported at least weekly use of these venues during summer. Older adults and those in the Northeast were most likely to use them weekly, with no differences observed by sex, race/ethnicity, education, or income.
CSA & TeikeiHealthFood miles & supply chainHere Live the Stories: Working the Land through Indigenous Knowledge
2011Joyce Rain Anderson · Journal of international women's studies · United States (Bridgewater)
A project in Bridgewater, United States, is creating an Indigenous garden at the BSU community gardens, involving the construction of a traditional wetu dwelling and the cultivation of a "three-sisters" and medicinal garden. Local Native participants are constructing and tending the garden, and will be instructed in ancestral ways. The initiative aims to support and advance Native culture, allowing students and community members to learn about traditional gardening and dwelling construction from a Native perspective.
CommunityFood educationHeirloom & landraceCarbon, Nitrogen, and Orthophosphate Leaching from Soil under Single- and Mixed-species Landscapes
2011Tim Pannkuk, Jacqueline A. Aitkenhead‐Peterson, Kurt Steinke, James C. Thomas, David R. Chalmers, Richard H. White · HortScience · United States (Texas)
This experiment quantified nutrient concentrations and fluxes in leachate from single- and mixed-species urban landscapes at two Texas sites with different irrigation water chemistry. Plant species significantly affected phosphate flux, and irrigation chemistry significantly affected all nutrient fluxes. An interaction between plant species and irrigation chemistry was found for phosphate flux.
Organic cycleClimate changeBiodiversityUrban Agriculture: Protection of Urban Ecosystem
2011Zhao Shu-ming · · Global
This paper discusses the unique functions and effectiveness of urban agriculture in the construction of urban ecosystems, based on its connotation and development models. Specifically, it includes promoting the integration of urban and rural areas, strengthening the living service functions of urban ecosystems, creating a livable ecological environment, building green spaces in cities, and promoting the coordinated development of agriculture and industry.
Urban–rural linkageBiodiversityClimate changePolicyAn investigation of urban agriculture projects as a local economic development mechanism to alleviate poverty in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
2011Phumelelo Edwin Khomo · · South Africa (Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality)
An investigation was conducted into three urban agriculture projects in the townships of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, examining their role as a local economic development mechanism for poverty alleviation. Five project participants from each project and three municipal officials responded to structured questionnaires. The study aimed to determine the projects' impact on participants' livelihoods, their role in employment creation, and participants' views on project sustainability.
EconomicsWelfareCommunityFood sovereignty & justice