Research & reports

Stefan Galley, Rita Saleh, Patrick Bottazzi · Journal of Rural Studies · Switzerland

This qualitative study compares three Swiss communal agricultural prosumption (CAP) types: allotment gardens (AGs), community gardens (CGs), and community supported agriculture (CSA), using Grounded Theory. It found that community-centred CAPs (CSAs, CGs) generate political agency but face financial barriers limiting participation. Individual-centred CAPs (AGs) offer autonomy but have high knowledge requirements and lack political leverage, posing crucial challenges for long-term viability. The study concludes that targeted policy and institutional strategies are needed to ensure the continuity of all CAP types.

Muhammad Al Anhar Al Islami · Journal of Excellence Humanities and Religiosity · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This research analyzes the sustainability efforts and educational initiatives adopted by Selarasa - Jagakarsa Food Lab, a peri-urban agriculture initiative in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the context of commoning practices. It investigates resource management, technological innovations, and the contribution of educational initiatives, such as the 'Kultum' (Kuliah Tumbuhan) series, to community knowledge and engagement. The study aims to evaluate the ecological, economic, and social impacts of commoning and document educational initiatives for transferring urban agriculture knowledge, with the goal of identifying challenges and opportunities to improve commoning practices.

Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · South Africa (Cape Town)

This study investigated the motivations for urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town's Cape Flats, South Africa, using survey data from 97 participants and interviews across 34 community gardens. While 29 out of 34 gardens prioritized income generation, a tension was found between institutional economic objectives and individual gardeners' motivations. Although 76.3% cited economic reasons, all respondents also valued social, health, and environmental benefits, perceiving gardening as a means to enhance well-being and promote sustainable practices despite structural barriers.

Victoria Milka Santiago · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science · Philippines

This qualitative case study explored the implementation and sustainability of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) in a public secondary school in Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Data from interviews, focus groups, and artifact analysis revealed that GPP's success relied on strong curriculum integration, stakeholder ownership, innovative farming, and regular monitoring. Identified barriers included limited infrastructure, funding gaps, and inconsistent administrative backing.

M.M. Rasmuna, VGR Chandran, J.S. Keshminder · Malaysian journal of consumer and family economics/Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics · Malaysia

This study explored challenges in maximizing the capacity of urban farms for economic viability and sustainability in Malaysia. Through in-depth interviews with urban farmers in several case studies, five key challenges were identified: financial, human capital, environmental, institutional, and psychosocial. These challenges impede the economic viability and sustainability of community urban farming.

Ylva Wallinder, Maria Langa · Environmental Sociology · Sweden

A study investigated the consequences of institutional policy change on urban gardening practices in Swedish municipalities over the last decade. Local sustainability policies have led to an increasingly business-centered model, which clashes even with entrepreneurial gardens. This shift caused associational gardening to give way to an extended focus on entrepreneurship and food production, representing a "green rationalization" of gardening practices in urban sustainability policies that hinders their sustainability potential.

Lori Leigh, Edward Randal, Amber Logan, Karen Witten, Crystal Victoria Olin, Elinor Chisholm, Philippa Howden‐Chapman · Local Environment · New Zealand

An Indigenous-led community garden (māra kai) in an urban social housing environment in New Zealand was examined. Guided by an Indigenous model of wellbeing and using go-along interviews, the study found that this community initiative uplifted the autonomy, confidence, and wellbeing of community housing residents. This was achieved by fostering healthy relationships with themselves, their immediate community, and the wider community across the city.

Desie Andreastuti, Bimantara Nur Alim · Journal Ilmu Sosial Politik dan Pemerintahan · Indonesia (Kutai Kartanegara)

This study analyzed urban farming as an innovative strategy in public management in Kutai Kartanegara. Using a qualitative methodology based on a literature review, it identified the opportunities, challenges, and impacts of urban farming implementation. The findings indicate that policy support, training, and stakeholder involvement are key to success, demonstrating a collaborative model among government, community, and the private sector to achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Grażyna Wiejak-Roy, Jaideep Roy, D. Andrew · Land Use Policy · Poland (Warsaw)

This study examined the market for allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland, using a mixed-method approach including thematic archival analysis of regulations and hedonic regression modeling on posted offers. The findings indicate a poor transaction framework, pricing sensitive to legal and illegal private investments, and prevalent illegal rent-seeking on land. Additionally, increasing investment in allotment gardens was found to reduce biodiversity.

Ahmad Fadil, Budi Susetyo, Fety Fatimah · e-Jurnal Penyelidikan dan Inovasi · Indonesia (Bogor)

This study analyzed the performance of Women's Farmer Groups (KWT) in Bogor City, Indonesia, by comparing the Weighted Product (WP) and Composite Performance Index (CPI) methods and designing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map KWT distribution. Using 2022 KWT data, the Mean Square Error (MSE) method was used to compare accuracy. The results showed CPI had an MSE of 0.3, while WP had 0.8, indicating CPI is more accurate. KWT Ciharashas achieved the highest rank (V = 0.0242 for WP and CPI = 66.60).

Richa Joshi, Jagneet Kour, Raino Bhatia · · Global

This chapter will investigate sustainable practices, including green infrastructure like urban forests and community gardens, to improve urban environments and address intertwined challenges. It will examine how green infrastructure enhances air and water quality, creates recreational spaces, and fosters community well-being. The chapter will also explore integrating environmental policies with public health initiatives through sustainable urban planning to create resilient communities with equitable access to green spaces, enhanced public transportation, and clean energy.

M. Elusaiwe, K. Atusa, Kanya Hilary · Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research · Nigeria

This study investigated the efficiency of agricultural extension agents in promoting urban gardening among 250 respondents in 10 urban areas across two local government areas in Delta State, Nigeria. Findings revealed that most urban farmers, predominantly female civil servants, married women, or widows, were not visited by extension agents, nor were they encouraged to use growth media or form agricultural societies.

Mateus Andrade Rocha Vitório, Victor Guilherme Pereira da Silva Marques, Rivanna Sousa Moura, Sarah Lays Campos da Silva, Fernanda Raquel Andrade da Silva Dos Santos, Diego Rodrigues de Sousa, Sabrina Amorim Paulo, Michelle Vicente Torres · Revista Multidisciplinar do Nordeste Mineiro · Brazil (Teresina)

This qualitative experience report describes the "Hortiviva" project, conducted from April to December 2024, by residents of the Family Health Residency Program at the State University of Piauí, Brazil. The project involved 15 to 30 family horticulturists in a community garden in northern Teresina, focusing on health education through monthly meetings and active methodologies. Results showed the community garden became a therapeutic space for socialization, income generation, and well-being, strengthening ties between professionals and the community.

Fadhlan Firdaus Syafrudin, Susi Hardjati · Journal of Governance and Social Policy · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study investigated community participation in urban agriculture programs within the Kosagrha Lestari farmer group in Medokan Ayu Village, Surabaya City, Indonesia. Using a descriptive qualitative method with observation, interviews, and documentation, the research found that community participation in the Kosagrha Lestari urban agriculture program has been going well. However, not all residents are involved, particularly concerning food security in Medokan Ayu Village.

Yanxin Liu, Victoria Chanse, Fabricio Chicca · Land · New Zealand (Wellington)

This study evaluated the role of urban agriculture (UA) in enhancing post-disaster food security in Wellington, New Zealand, a region highly prone to earthquakes. It calculated vegetable self-sufficiency by mapping potential productive land, estimating vegetable yields, and assessing post-disaster food demands across multiple scenarios. Potential productive land accounted for 0.3% to 1.5% of the total area, primarily distributed in the eastern part of the city. Results indicate that Wellington's vegetable self-sufficient rates through UA range from 3% to 75%, with higher rates for displaced and vulnerable populations. Realizing this potential will require stronger policy support and integration with urban planning and disaster preparedness.

Arif Umami, Herdiana Anggrasari, Ni Kadek Ema Sustia Dewi · Jurnal Serambi Abdimas · Indonesia

This service program aimed to strengthen the Surya Makmur Farmer Group in Suryowijayan Village, Yogyakarta, which consists mostly of urban housewives, by increasing their motivation and knowledge of institutional functions. The program, conducted in three stages (preparation, implementation, and evaluation), resulted in an increase in group members' motivation and understanding of institutional roles.

Andi Nurmas, ROBIATUL ADAWIYAH, Makmur Jaya Arma, Norma Arif, Sarawa Sarawa, Dirvamena Boer · Jurnal Tarreang Tren Pengabdian Masyarakat Agrokompleks · Indonesia (Kendari City)

This Community Service Program was conducted for the Flamboyan Dasawisma Group in Padaleu Village, Kambu District, Kendari City, Indonesia. The program was implemented through educational outreach on the benefits and application of urban farming, followed by hands-on mentoring in establishing an urban farming garden. Participants showed a positive response to the program and demonstrated high enthusiasm for cultivating vegetables using the urban farming system.

Babatunde S. Adedotun, Martin Binde Gasu, Ismail A. Oyerinde, Dele Sunday Ogundahunsi, Oluwatoyin David ADEDOTUN · The Journal of Agriculture and Development · Global

This research conducted an extensive literature review on the correlation between urban agriculture and the quality of life of urban residents, synthesizing 20 peer-reviewed scholarly papers published between 2010 and 2022 from databases like Scopus. Urban agriculture was shown to offer economic benefits, community engagement, health improvements, environmental benefits, and cultural connections, but also presented negative externalities such as resource exploitation, contamination, and ecosystem disruption.

Ulrike Pröbstl‐Haider, Magdalena Feilhammer, Alice Wanner · Cities · Austria

This paper analyzed opportunities and barriers for implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) in Austrian cities. A survey of 1055 urban residents investigated conditions under which NBS reduce particulate matter, NO2, and air temperature. Results highlighted the relevance of design types like green corridors and community gardens, and the importance of direct and time payments, indicating that a €45 payment with a 10-minute walking distance to home was acceptable if high environmental benefits were achieved.

Yingqi Zhu · Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies · United States (New York City)

This study analyzes innovative urban planning responses in New York City following the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the intersection of reverse globalization and resilient city theory. It investigates how NYC's adaptive initiatives, such as the Open Streets program and upscaling urban agriculture, improved local autonomy, flexibility, and community resilience. The research assesses how decentralized, neighborhood-scale solutions and participatory governance systems can address urban vulnerabilities and promote long-term sustainability, offering planning lessons for other global cities.

Katarina Đurić, Mirjana Lukač Bulatović, Mihaela Kavran, Rajna Duletić, Nikola Puvača · Journal of Agronomy Technology and Engineering Management (JATEM) · Global

This paper argues that urban agriculture can serve as a significant tool for achieving sustainable urban development during intensive urban growth. Applying methods of analysis, synthesis, and descriptive research, it systematizes the economic, environmental, and social benefits provided by urban agriculture, including community gardens. The paper also highlights the most significant challenges currently faced by urban agriculture.

Sarah Steinegger, Nora Katharina Faltmann · Journal of Political Ecology · Switzerland

This qualitative research examined the challenges consumers and farmers face in establishing proximity within a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative in Switzerland that links rural mountain and urban areas. The study found that consumers and farmers are facing challenges in establishing proximity. Nevertheless, shared experiences of farming activities and social events, along with participants' willingness to improve CSA operations and strengthen ties for mutual understanding and joint efforts, contribute to the ongoing process of establishing proximity.

Noémie Régeard · L’Espace Politique · Congo

This article explores the circularity of organic matter streams in Nkayi, an intermediate city in Congo, through interviews and observations. The qualitative inquiry reveals the coexistence of institutional household waste streams, supported by a development project, and informal organic matter streams, identified through intra- and peri-urban agricultural practices. These streams are subject to various socio-territorial, political, and economic tensions.

Magdalena Roszczynialska · Przestrzenie Teorii · Poland

This article characterizes the edible landscape, a non-visual approach to landscape, by identifying landscapes where the cultural component is weakened in favor of the environmental one. The author develops a typology of edible landscapes in 21st-century Polish prose, including consumption landscapes, edible mnemotopos, terroir, and urban gardens, interpreting them as practices of "hacking the Anthropocene" and interventions for socio-environmental justice. The edible landscape is presented as a way of literary manifestation of nature and a means of survival in the face of ecological catastrophe.

Khusnul Hotimatus Agustina, Dafik Dafik, Arika Indah Kristiana · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews · Global

This research and development study focused on creating RBL-STEM learning materials to improve students' environmental literacy in solving urban farming problems. The developed learning tools, including assignment designs, worksheets, and tests, met a 93.8% validity requirement. A trial with 35 students showed the RBL-STEM resources were effective (95.22%) and practical (95.82%), leading to increased environmental literacy levels based on pretest and posttest results. The study identified high, medium, and low proficiency levels and validated findings through statistical and image analysis, N-Vivo, and word cloud.