Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
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Informal Urban Green Space: Residents’ Perception, Use, and Management Preferences across Four Major Japanese Shrinking Cities
2017Christoph Rupprecht · Land · Japan
This study analyzed residents' perceptions, use, and management preferences for informal urban green spaces (IGS) in four major shrinking Japanese cities (Sapporo, Nagano, Kyoto, and Kitakyushu) using a large online survey of 1000 residents. Residents viewed IGS as a common element of the urban landscape, but their evaluation was mixed. Recreation and urban agriculture were preferred over redevelopment and non-management, and for participatory management, residents emphasized the need for city administration to mediate usage and liability, along with financial and non-financial support. Approximately 10% of residents expressed willingness to participate in management activities.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageContested urban green spaces in the compact city: The (re-)negotiation of urban gardening in Swiss cities
2017Simone Tappert, Tanja Klöti, Matthias Drilling · Landscape and Urban Planning · Switzerland
A qualitative study conducted in the Swiss cities of Basle, Berne, Geneva, and Zurich analyzed the political negotiation processes of urban gardening within the compact city framework. Findings demonstrated that urban growth strategies, aiming for efficient and resource-saving reorganization of urban space, are discursively rationalizing current transformation processes. This has led to traditional forms of urban gardening being closed down, displaced to less significant locations for urban development plans, or spatially and functionally transformed, while new forms of urban gardening are emerging in inner-city areas.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageExploring urban agriculture as a component of multifunctional green infrastructure: Application of figure-ground plans as a spatial analysis tool
2017Attila Tóth, Axel Timpe · Moravian Geographical Reports · Europe
This paper presents and discusses the application of figure-ground plans combined with complex land-use maps as a tool for spatial analysis of urban agriculture in European cities and their multifunctional green infrastructure, using 'Urban Atlas' data. Urban fabric, agriculture, and non-agricultural open spaces were analyzed and compared in selected cities and metropolitan areas, including Dublin, Ruhr Metropolis, Geneva, and Sofia. The results reveal the scale and land-use diversity of metropolitan regions and different spatial patterns of urban agriculture at both regional and central urban levels.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyBiodiversityPeri-urban agriculture in Barcelona: outlining landscape dynamics vis à vis socio-environmental functions
2017Pere Serra, David Saurı́, Luca Salvati · Landscape Research · Spain (Barcelona)
A quantitative approach was proposed to analyze peri-urban agriculture (PUA) dynamics in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, profiling farm types and related landscape structures. Results indicated that PUA is based on five typologies with varying territorial values, reflecting diverse economic relevance, socio-environmental weight, and landscape prominence. A conservation strategy is proposed to preserve the residual PUA landscape by promoting a polycentric functional network of farming with natural vegetation.
Peri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsPresent practice and future prospect of rooftop farming in Dhaka city: A step towards urban sustainability
2017Mastura Safayet, Md. Faqrul Arefin, Md. Musleh Uddin Hasan · Journal of Urban Management · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study explored the current practices and challenges of rooftop farming in Mirpur and Mohammadpur areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Researchers interviewed two practitioners and surveyed 60 non-practitioners. Findings indicate that rooftop farming can improve air quality, reduce atmospheric carbon, and lower stormwater management costs, with most non-practitioners willing to dedicate at least 50% of their roof space to it.
DIYClimate changeUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agriculture: an analysis of farm typologies in Italy
2017HENKE Roberto, VANNI Francesco · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Italy
This 2017 article analyzed the role of peri-urban agriculture in Italy through a comparative study of seven metropolitan areas, using micro-data from the sixth Italian agriculture census. It identified six typologies of market-oriented farms. The study found that a significant share of farms in Italian urban poles are passively absorbed by urban expansion, indicating a challenge to their economic viability. However, the most reactive farms are diversifying and supplying social and economic services.
Economic viabilityPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsUrban–rural linkageThe Importance of Edible Landscape in the Cities
2017Filiz Çelik · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Global
This study explains the emergence, design, maintenance, and importance of edible landscapes in urban environments. Edible landscaping integrates food plants as design features for both aesthetic value and consumption, aiming to reconnect people with local food systems. It encompasses a variety of garden types and scales but does not include food items produced for sale.
CommunityHealthDIYUrban–rural linkageThe geography of urban agriculture: New trends and challenges
2017Barbora Duží, Bohumil Frantál, Marian Simón Rojo · Moravian Geographical Reports · Europe
This article provides a theoretical and conceptual introduction to urban agriculture in Europe, reviewing its diverging issues from a geographical perspective. It discusses urban agriculture within the context of urban and rural transformations, urban regeneration, agricultural restructuring, and land-use conflicts. The paper summarizes current research and presents main trends and concepts, emphasizing the challenges they pose to geographers.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyCommunityClimate changeUrban green infrastructures and ecological networks for urban biodiversity conservation
2017Emily S. Minor, Elsa C. Anderson, J. Amy Belaire, Megan Garfinkel, Alexis D. Smith · · Global
This chapter explores the benefits of green infrastructure networks for urban biodiversity and proposes strategies to enhance their extent, performance, and connectivity. It suggests that planting lower-maintenance vegetation in urban green spaces, including urban agriculture and cemeteries, can reduce costs and improve air quality while providing habitat. The concept of ecological land-use complementation is introduced, where clustered urban land uses synergistically support biodiversity.
BiodiversityUrban–rural linkagePolicyUrban Agriculture: Search for Agricultural Practice in Urbanized Rural Areas
2017Celile Özçiçek Dölekoğlu, Sema Gün · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Global
Urban agriculture, practiced by 800 million people globally, offers economic, social, and environmental benefits but also carries risks and adverse effects. This study presents developments in urban agriculture in Turkey and worldwide, discussing all aspects of its effects and outcomes.
Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityClimate changeRecent Advances in Modelling and Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems towards Sustainable Development
2017Ataur Rahman · Water · Global
This paper provides an overview of a special issue on rainwater harvesting (RWH), which has gained renewed attention as a sustainable development tool since the 1970s. The issue covers various aspects of RWH, including quantity, quality, economics, and state regulations, as well as its suitability to local conditions. Topics explored in the selected papers include regionalization of design curves, spatial technology, urban agriculture, arid-region water supply, multi-criteria analysis, and artificial neural networks.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageAgricultura urbana: um olhar a partir da agroecologia e da agricultura orgânica
2017Mariana Barbosa de Souza, Ana Claudia Guske · COLÓQUIO - Revista do Desenvolvimento Regional · Global
This study aimed to discuss the concept of urban agriculture from the perspectives of agroecology and organic agriculture. A theoretical review of key concepts such as urban and peri-urban agriculture, agroecology, and organic agriculture, along with an exploratory study, were conducted. Through a bibliographic and documentary survey, the research explored the possibility of urban agriculture, when associated with agroecology and organic agriculture, contributing to regional development.
Organic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageCommunity gardens as urban social-ecological refuges in the Global North.
2017J. Chan, Bryce DuBois, Kristine T. Nemec, Charles Francis, Kyle D. Hoagland · CABI eBooks · Global
This chapter examines community gardens in three distinct urban locations in the Global North through the lens of social-ecological resilience. Case studies focus on Vienna, Austria; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; and New York City post-Hurricane Sandy. These community gardens support vital social-ecological functions, ranging from generating local ecosystem services to cultivating community empowerment and bolstering food sovereignty, reflecting their local contexts.
CommunityBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageSTATUS KANDUNGAN VITAMIN C BEBERAPA SAYURAN DAUN HASIL BUDIDAYA PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN DI SURABAYA
2017Dwi Iriyani, Pangesti Nugrahani · Universitas Terbuka Repository (Universitas Terbuka) · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This study aimed to compare the vitamin C content of spinach, water spinach, and mustard greens produced by urban agriculture in three areas of Surabaya, Indonesia. Vitamin C analysis was performed using the DCPIP titration method. The results showed no significant difference in vitamin C content among the three types of vegetables, but differences in planting locations caused variations in vitamin C content.
HealthUrban–rural linkageReappropriating urban green spaces and urban food production
2017Judith Schicklinski · · Europe
This chapter discusses the reasons behind the re-appropriation of public space and its relation to urban food production. The commodification and privatization of public spaces are considered a spatial structure that transforms spaces into strategic resources. The urban gardening movement in European cities has drawn attention to using common green spaces for urban food production.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justicePERANCANGAN HIPOTETIK SMART GARDENPADA LANSKAP FAKULTAS PERTANIAN UNIVERSITAS LAMPUNG
2017Muhammad Arif · · Indonesia
This study aimed to plan the implementation of a smart garden concept on the landscape of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung campus. The smart garden was proposed as a facility for learning about science and technology. The concept generated themes including a forest garden for the Dean's Building area, agroforestry for the Forestry Department Building area, a homy garden for the Seed Laboratory area, a nursery for the Postgraduate Building area, aquaponics for the Fisheries and Marine Department Building area, urban farming for the Agricultural Engineering Department Building area, and hydroponics for the Agrotechnology Department Building area.
Food educationUrban–rural linkageCommunityGreening the shrinking city—policies and planning approaches in the USA with the example of Flint, Michigan
2017Karina Pallagst, René Fleschurz, Franziska Trapp · Landscape Research · United States (Flint, Michigan)
This paper examines greening and green infrastructure development in shrinking US cities, focusing on rightsizing and urban agriculture. It highlights recent greening efforts in Flint, Michigan, as an example. Shrinking cities in the US, characterized by economic decline and population loss, often have vacant land and blighted buildings, which some cities are now re-evaluating as assets for sustainable and livable urban environments.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageCommunityDivorcing food and agriculture: towards an agenda for urban food security research
2017Bruce Frayne, Jonathan Crush, Cameron McCordic · · Global
Building on research from Harare's urban food system, David W. Smith proposed a global agenda for urban food security research in 1998. He noted that many national food security plans inadequately address urban food systems by focusing almost exclusively on smallholder agriculture, and that coordinated policy reviews are overdue. Smith emphasized the need to examine individual and household food insecurity in cities and questioned the role of urban agriculture in mitigating it.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageURBAN GROWTH STUDIES FOR JOHANNESBURG CITY USING
2017Shailesh Deshpande, Priyanka Verma, Piyush Yadav, Jay Gubbi, P Balamurali · Asian Journal of Geoinformatics · South Africa (Johannesburg)
Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Johannesburg City, South Africa, were analyzed using Landsat imagery from 2000 to 2016. The analysis revealed that impervious surface increased by 57.03% during this period, leading to a 47.8% loss of urban vegetation (grass, tree cover) and urban agricultural land. Additionally, soil and water loss amounted to 16.75%.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkageClimate changePolicyUrban Agriculture and the Use of ICTS in Accessing and Disseminating Livestock Husbandry Information in Urban Areas of Tanzania. A Review of Related Literature.
2017Consolata Angello · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Tanzania
This literature review summarizes research on urban agriculture and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for accessing and disseminating livestock husbandry information in urban Tanzania. It examines urban agricultural practices, challenges of urban livestock keeping, and solutions, discussing ICT integration in agriculture globally, in Africa, and specifically in Tanzania. The review identifies gaps in the literature regarding urban livestock keepers' information needs and ICT use challenges.
Digital agricultureUrban–rural linkageEXPLORING THE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
2017Jennifer Wilhelm · University of New Hampshire Scholars Repository (University of New Hampshire at Manchester) · United States (New Hampshire)
This dissertation addresses agricultural extensification from several angles. Chapter 1's literature review showed an increase in research on urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) and ecosystem services, but highlighted a need for quantifying ecosystem services and functions to clarify ecological tradeoffs. Subsequent chapters focused on a mixed-methods study in New Hampshire, surveying approximately 600 residents (494 general population, 103 food system stakeholders) on their perception of forestland conversion to agriculture.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureBiodiversityClimate changeReflexions on Urban Gardening in Germany
2017Evelyn Gustedt · Challenges in Sustainability · Germany
This article reflects on traditional and contemporary gardening movements in Germany, focusing on gardening in spaces subject to land lease agreements, tenancy, or illegal land take. The author examined various definitions, the historical development of urban gardening, and the values users relate to these activities. Based on a literature review, observations, and discussions, the author concludes with considerations on these gardening movements in relation to urban sustainable developments.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageClimate changeKnow Food, Know Peace?
2017Emily Holmes · · Global
This chapter explores the potential of community-based agriculture as a practice of peace and active non-violence. Community-based agriculture encompasses various methods of growing food for local communities, including urban community gardens, urban farms, and small, biodiverse rural farms. These forms of agriculture are distinguished from conventional, industrial, or monocultural practices by their commitment to sustainable and organic growing methods, and their dedication to local communities.
CommunityCSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageBack to Solidarity-Based Living? The Economic Crisis and the Development of Alternative Projects in Portugal
2017Britta Baumgarten · Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) · Portugal
In Portugal, the impact of the 2011 socio-economic crisis on alternative projects, including urban gardening groups, in both urban and rural areas was analyzed. The study used data from an analysis of internet pages and a questionnaire on the impact of the socio-economic crisis on Rede Convergir projects in 2015. The findings strengthen the argument that the crisis had an adverse effect on resilience projects, supported by case studies from other crisis-affected countries and empirical observations in Portugal.
CommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkagePatrimonio y agricultura urbana en Recife: Análisis y directrices para el barrio de Várzea.
2017Igor Villares de Carvalho, Paola Branduini · Revista Urbano · Brazil (Recife)
Addressing the issue of abandoned and unclear urban agricultural heritage in many South American cities, this study focused on the Várzea neighborhood in Recife, Brazil, applying principles from the European Landscape Convention and findings from COST Action Urban - Agriculture Europe (2011-16). It noted that the tangible and intangible rural heritage of Várzea, a region settled by Europeans in the 16th century for sugarcane cultivation and remaining rural until the 20th century, is disconnected from the current population and conservation practices. To mitigate this problem, the article proposes guidelines for the regeneration of this heritage and the improvement of cases related to the area's rural background.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkage