Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9074 results(319 / 363)
Properties and Heavy Metal Contents of Urban Agricultural Soils in Seoul
2011Hyuck-Soo Kim, Young‐Nam Kim, Jin‐Won Kim, Kye-Hoon Kim · 한국토양비료학회지 · South Korea (Seoul)
This study investigated the properties and total and phytoavailable contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) in 21 urban agricultural soils in Seoul, South Korea. The total heavy metal concentrations in the examined urban agricultural soils were found to be lower than the warning levels for area 1 according to the Soil Environmental Conservation Act of Korea. Phytoavailable-Cu, -Pb, and -Zn concentrations were also reported as 0.02-0.28, N.D-0.09, and 0.01-0.43 mg/kg, respectively.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleResults of stage 1: preliminary
2011N. Karanja, F. Yeudall, S. Mbugua, M. Njenga, G. Prain, D. C. Cole, A. L. Webb, D. Sellen, C. Gore, J. M. Levy · Urban agriculture · Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya (Nakuru))
This paper outlines the conception, design, and implementation process of a project aimed at strengthening technical, environmental, financial, and social capacity for urban agriculture (UA) among HIV-affected households in Nakuru, Kenya. Key lessons learned include the value of multi-stakeholder partnerships to address complex issues in urban social agriculture, the crucial role of self-help group organizations, and securing institutional commitments to support farming by HIV-affected individuals. The usefulness of mixed-methods evaluative tools for monitoring progress and identifying supports and barriers to success is also highlighted.
WelfareCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicySupporting Local Agriculture
2011Kathleen L. Cappellano · Nutrition Today · United States
This article outlines farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, school- and community-based gardening, and collaborative programs that provide access to fresh produce, in response to American consumers' growing interest in learning about how and where their food is produced. It highlights online resources that describe these programs and organizations, which inform people about the many benefits of local agriculture.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood educationEconomicsMunicipal enabled agriculture
2011David Mason, Ian Knowd · Urban agriculture · Australia (Sydney)
This paper explores the history of urban agriculture (UA) in the Sydney Metropolitan Region, Australia. UA emerged as a grassroots response to global forces negatively impacting urban and farming communities, including urban sprawl, supermarket dominance, the fast food industry, and globalization in the developed world. Community-based promotion of local agriculture has led governments and organizations to recognize UA as a strategic mechanism for urban communities to address food security and other challenges.
CommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeThe Impact of Government/NGO Support Services on Performance of Crop Production and In Urban Farmers’ Livelihood: A Case of Accra, Ghana
2011Abigail A. Aryeh-Adjei, P. Atengdem · Annals of Humanities & Development studies · Ghana
This study in Ashaiman Municipality, Greater-Accra region, Ghana, investigated the impact of Government/NGO support services on urban farmers' crop production and livelihoods. Surveying 104 urban vegetable farmers, it found that 88 farmers with access to support services from entities like the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Pro Credit Bank observed improved crop production, whereas 16 without access did not. A significant difference was also identified between access to these services and various livelihood outcomes for urban farmers.
PolicyEconomicsWelfareObstacles and solutions to the construction of environment-friendly and resource-saving urban agriculture in Shanghai
2011YU Ju-sheng · Shanghai nongye xuebao · China (Shanghai)
This paper analyzes the resource and environmental obstacles in developing environment-friendly and resource-saving urban agriculture in Shanghai, based on its inherent requirements. It puts forward basic paths, policies, and proposals for constructing this type of agriculture in Shanghai.
PolicyEconomicsEducating Future Generations of Community Gardeners
2011Shane J. Ralston · PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) · United States
This paper presents a Deweyan argument that school gardening prepares students for community gardening, a political activity aimed at food security, education, and community development. School gardening can also prepare children for environmental political activism, particularly involvement in gardening movements, which is presented as an interpretation of John Dewey's "civic turn" to school gardening.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicy비모수적 방법을 이용한 도시농업의 다원적 기능 가치평가
2011허주녕, 김태곤 · 한국유기농업학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea
This study evaluated citizens' willingness-to-pay for the maintenance fund of urban agriculture's multi-functions in South Korea. The analysis categorized respondents into vegetable garden users, general consumers, and all respondents. The estimated values for multi-functionality were KRW 20,367 per household for general consumers, KRW 22,174 for urban agriculture users, and KRW 21,467 for all respondents.
EconomicsPolicyCommunityA Extensão Universitária dentro de projeto de Agricultura Urbana e Periurbana com foco na agroecologia
2011Matheus Sehn Korting, Marlo do Nascimento, Lúcia Nobre, Adriana Mattos de Carvalho, E. Costa · Americanae (AECID Library) · Brazil
This study aimed to present the experience of the Social and Economic Development Center (NUDESE/FURG) as a protagonist in an Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture extension project linked to Brazil's Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger (MDS). The project directly contributed to institutions such as CAIC, CCMAR, Assis Brasil School, Rio Grande State Penitentiary, therapeutic communities, family farmers in São José do Norte and Rio Grande, and the Ecological Producers Group, through training, awareness, technical production support, and sales strengthening.
CommunityFood educationWelfarePeri-urban agricultureA Study on the Introduction of Urban Agriculture to Permanently Rental Apartment Complexes
2011Eun-Joo Yoon, Young-Ho Yoon · LHI Journal of Land Housing and Urban Affairs · Global
This study aimed to suggest the application of urban agriculture in permanently rental apartment complexes to build social welfare. It explained the roles and necessities of urban agriculture in response to environmental changes, estimated the land area usable for urban agriculture in existing complexes, and proposed strategies for its introduction.
WelfareCommunityPolicyOptimizing Urban Material Flows and Waste Streams in Urban Development through Principles of Zero Waste and Sustainable Consumption
2011Steffen Lehmann · Sustainability · Global
This paper reports on best practices in urban design principles for material flow, recovery, and adaptive reuse to implement zero waste. It notes that urban farming is a valid strategy for local food production and composting organic waste. A key finding is that embedding zero-waste requires strong industry leadership, new policies, effective education curricula, and increased awareness.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeOrganic gardeners uplift poor communities
2011Sarah Ward · · South Africa (Cape Town)
This article features an interview with Christina Kaba, who works for Abalimi, an urban agriculture and environmental action association operating in socio-economically neglected townships on the Cape Flats near Cape Town, South Africa. Kaba assists individuals, groups, and community-based organizations in initiating and maintaining permanent organic food growing and nature conservation projects, which serve as a basis for sustainable lifestyles, self-help job creation, poverty alleviation, and environmental renewal.
CommunityWelfareOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceSupermarket Expansion and the Informal Food Economy in Southern African Cities: Implications for Urban Food Security
2011Jonathan Crush, Bruce Frayne · Journal of Southern African Studies · Southern Africa
This article reviews urban food sources in Southern African cities, focusing on supermarket expansion, its impact on informal food suppliers, and the relative insignificance of urban agriculture for poor urban households. Findings from an eleven-city survey by AFSUN are presented, highlighting that urban agriculture has limited significance in addressing urban food insecurity in the region.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban–rural linkageEvaluación estructural y funcional de los sistemas productivos urbanos en Quibdó, Chocó, Colombia
2011Teofilo Cuesta Borja, Ditter Horacio Mosquera Andrade · · Colombia (Quibdó)
This article presents the results of a structural and functional characterization of urban productive systems in Quibdó, Colombia. The study analyzed vegetation by growth habit and conducted a Rapid Rural Appraisal on species utilization. Residents use mixed home gardens, rooftops, and potted plants for urban agriculture, along with animal husbandry. 58 species across 51 genera and 41 botanical families were found, distributed in three strata. These species are important for food and traditional medicine, indicating that urban productive systems in Quibdó are oriented to supply food and medicinal needs.
DIYCommunityHealthThe Integration of School Garden Programs into Educational Curriculum
2011Annie Lowry · Digital Commons - Olivet Distinctive Heritage, Scholarship, & Creativity (Olivet Nazarene University) · United States (Illinois)
This project aimed to evaluate how gardening is integrated into classroom curriculum in several schools in Illinois and the factors leading to this integration. Qualitative data was collected from interviews with educational professionals from seven different sites, confirming previous research on the benefits of gardening and providing new insights into current and future integration of gardens into the classroom.
Food educationHealthCommunityReference and inspiration of successful experience of urban agriculture in developed countries on China
2011Zeng Shu-qin · Guangdong nongye kexue · Global
This paper conducted a comparative analysis of successful urban agriculture experiences in six developed countries: the United States, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Singapore. It examined typical cases from these countries, focusing on their development characteristics, organizational forms, production characteristics, marketing and logistics, functions, and supporting policies. The successful experiences of these nations offer reference and inspiration for the development of urban agriculture in China.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityGuerrilla's in the Community Garden
2011Alex Nicol · Australasian parks and leisure · Australia (Sydney)
This article describes the initial apprehension of Warringah's Parks Department in Sydney, Australia, regarding the establishment of a community garden due to budget constraints. This perspective shifted when the "Guerrilla Gardener" show initiated a project on council open space at Manly Vale, transforming an eyesore into a green oasis. The specific site, however, was already designated for a district playground.
CommunityDIYPolicyTruck Farm (2010)
2011Louise Chawla · Children Youth and Environments · United States (New York City)
This article reviews the 2010 film "Truck Farm," directed by Ian Cheney, which explores urban gardening in New York City. The film follows Cheney as he cultivates a vegetable garden in his grandfather's pickup truck and visits other urban farmers and food experts across the city. "Truck Farm" combines serious exposition with humor, prompting viewers to consider the future of urban farming and the role of whimsy in sustainability. The reviewer suggests the film is a valuable resource for youth community gardening programs or food systems classes.
DIYCommunityFood educationPath Choice on Rural Industrial Upgrading in the Process of Rural-urban Integration in Binhai New Area
2011Liu Xiang, Na Fu, Liu, Xiang, Fu, Na · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · China
This study analyzed the current situation of rural industrialization in the process of rural-urban integration in Binhai New Area using reference and field research methods. It identified problems such as difficulties in breaking the dual economic structure in urban and rural areas, imbalanced economic development, and inadequate development of the third industry. Countermeasures proposed include optimizing agricultural industrial structure to form an urban agricultural model focusing on facility, park, and high-end agriculture to achieve intensive agricultural growth.
Economic viabilityUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicyHow City Hall Can Foster the Urban Farming Revolution in Buffalo
2011Michael Raleigh · eCommons (Cornell University) · United States (Buffalo)
The City of Buffalo has made progress in accepting urban farming on vacant land, but remains unwilling to take risks in this area. Policies restrict farmers' access to land, long-term security, food diversity (including animals), and sales. To foster urban farming, the City should amend these policies to grant farmers more freedom and could promote farming through a city-wide composting program and a demolition policy requiring vacant lots to be seeded with clover.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityEconomicsCompostBuilding Gardens, Rebuilding a City: Baltimore’s Community Greening Resource Network
2011Sarah Krones, Shari Edelson · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States (Baltimore)
Baltimore's Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN), established in 2008, provides gardening resources and materials to low-income residents to convert vacant urban spaces into community gardens. CGRN aims to empower residents to revitalize their communities by removing barriers to reclaiming open spaces. The program has served an increasing membership and expanding community of urban gardeners, but faces challenges with funding and staff retention.
CommunityWelfarePolicyAre the Old Ways New Again?: Local Farmers Practicing Civic Agriculture in Southwest Missouri
2011Lester Scott Lakey · BearWorks (Missouri State University) · United States (Missouri)
An ethnographic study of two farms in the Springfield Plateau region of the Missouri Ozarks was conducted to assess the effects of "local food" movements on farmers. The study found that local farms share qualities with traditional family farms. It also revealed significant variability in farmers' motivations and attitudes, ranging from farming as a means to earn family income to farming as a way to build networks connecting farmers and consumers within the community.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePotential of fern species to forecast microclimate changes at urban area
2011Nur Hanie Mohd Latif, Mohd. Arami Md. Jais, Izawati Tukiman, Rashidi Othman · · Malaysia
This research explored the potential of fern species as natural indicators to forecast microclimate changes in urban areas in Malaysia. Observations of latitudinal changes were conducted at Gunung Jerai and Lata Jarum, while urban heat island studies were performed at Hospital Serdang's rooftop garden and One Utama Shopping Complex's Secret Garden. The observations indicated that climate is a main factor affecting fern species occurrences, and microclimate has a strong relationship with fern species distribution.
BiodiversityClimate changeCurrent and Emerging Issues in the New Urban Agriculture: A Case Study
2011Kathryn A. Peters · Journal of Food Law & Policy · United States
Urban agriculture in the United States takes various forms, including individual gardens on private land, public property, and church and school grounds. Key factors for success include land acquisition, zoning ordinances, access to affordable water, infrastructure, and support services like education and outreach. Major U.S. cities, such as Seattle (declared 2010 the Year of Urban Agriculture) and Cleveland (declared 2012 the Year of Local Food), recognize urban agriculture's important role in sustainable cities and local food supply systems.
CommunityPolicyFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceResponding to climate change: Use of public particippation GIS to understand preferences of Adelaide park visitors
2011Delene Weber, Greg Brown · · Australia (Adelaide)
A study in selected parks in the Adelaide metropolitan area revealed strong support for strategies such as improving public transport, increasing the use of water-sensitive grass, adding urban forests, and establishing community gardens. Conversely, low levels of support were associated with strategies like allowing natural water features to dry up, increasing paved areas, and seasonal closure of some parks. This project is the first step in a larger initiative to optimize the use of Adelaide's parks.
CommunityClimate changePolicy