Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3275 results(33 / 131)
Grassroots mobilization for a just, green urban future: Building community infrastructure against green gentrification and displacement
2023· Journal of Urban Affairs · USA
Documents how municipal greening and redevelopment plans expose residents to green gentrification—displacement from housing and public space—and how communities must build counter-infrastructure, framing the greening policy itself as the source of harm.
PolicyCommunityWelfareAssessing financial subsidies for green roofs: A micro-scale analysis of Lisbon (Portugal)
2023· Cities · Portugal (Lisbon)
Cost-benefit analysis showing that Lisbon's flat, city-wide green-roof subsidy design is suboptimal—constant subsidy values fail to optimize public funds because ecosystem-service benefits vary spatially, evidencing a poorly targeted (wasteful) green-infrastructure incentive.
PolicyEconomicsThe State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023: Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum
2023· FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO · Global
The 2023 flagship report jointly produced by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. It analyzes how urbanization is transforming agrifood systems and affecting the availability, affordability and security of healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum.
PolicyHealthCommunityFood lossReview of peri-urban agriculture as a regional ecosystem service
2023Setyardi Pratika Mulya, Heru Purboyo Hidayat Putro, Delik Hudalah · Geography and sustainability · Global
This 2023 global systematic literature review examined peri-urban agriculture (PUA) as an ecosystem service, focusing on urbanization pressures and governance. The review found that PUA is crucial for urban areas in terms of food supply, ecology, biodiversity preservation, disaster mitigation, and recreation. However, massive urban expansion is a primary cause of PUA loss, and sociocultural biases have led to institutional constraints on peri-urban management within existing political and regulatory frameworks.
Governance failurePeri-urban agricultureBiodiversityPolicyUrban–rural linkageAssessing whether peri-urban agricultural land or plantation forest is a better green infrastructure for ground arthropods at local and landscape scales
2023Pengyao Li, Feinan Lyu, Yuan Zhou, Zhenrong Yu · Ecological Indicators · China (Beijing)
A study in Beijing, China, surveyed ground spiders and carabids in 12 plantation forests and nearby arable lands to assess the impact of afforestation on biodiversity. Intensive afforestation on arable lands did not increase local ground arthropod diversity. Ground arthropod abundance and species richness in plantation forests were significantly lower than in arable lands when surrounding arable land cover was relatively high, and overall landscape-scale diversity was not improved.
Environmental trade-offsPeri-urban agricultureBiodiversityPolicyUrban Agriculture and the Sustainability Nexus in South Africa: Past, Current, and Future Trends
2023Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira · Urban Forum · South Africa
This narrative literature review analyzed 62 peer-reviewed articles on urban agriculture in South Africa from 1993 to 2022. The findings indicate several knowledge gaps, including an under-representation of secondary cities and a general productivist focus in most studies, which limit understanding of urban agriculture for sustainable cities.
Methodological critiqueUrban–rural linkagePolicyBiodiversityPromoting the Development of Edible Landscapes in Suburban Areas with Place Branding—A Case Study in Taiwan
2023Zhiwei Zheng, Rung-Jiun Chou · Land · Taiwan (Taoyuan City)
This study investigated strategies for promoting edible landscapes in urban communities, focusing on the San-He community in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. Using in-depth interviews and non-participant observation, the research found that edible landscapes offer social, economic, and cultural benefits but face challenges in marketing, government policies, and growing techniques. Place branding strategies were identified as effective in addressing these challenges.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsCommunityPolicyURBAN FARMING AS A TOOL OF FOOD SECURITY IN FRONT-LINE KHARKIV: GLOBAL PROBLEMS FROM MICROSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
2023Artëm Lytovchenko, Oksana Nekhaienko · Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences · Ukraine (Kharkiv)
A 2023 paper aimed to characterize the sociological potential of the military factor in the global food crisis through the lens of food security challenges in the Ukrainian frontline city of Kharkiv. Based on results from an original reconnaissance case study conducted in Kharkiv from May to August 2022, assumptions were formulated regarding the main directions of transformation of food practices among residents of a large city undergoing combat actions. The study also proposed methods and directions for possible sociological research to verify these assumptions.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyVAZIOS URBANOS EM MONTES CLAROS: POTENCIAL URBANÍSTICO E POSSIBILIDADES DE APROPRIAÇÃO DAS PRÁTICAS AGRÍCOLAS
2023Tainá Ferreira da ROCHA, Hélder dos Anjos Augusto · Editora Científica Digital eBooks · Brazil (Montes Claros)
This study explored urban agriculture in Montes Claros, Brazil, identifying its contributions, challenges, and potentials through document analysis, geographic information, farmer testimonies, and field visits. Urban agriculture is widely practiced in the municipality, both collectively and individually, with collective practices showing grassroots organization through neighborhood associations, while spontaneous practices lack external influence. Most urban gardens are developed on public land and vacant private lots, serving multiple uses such as green spaces, food production, economic activity, and occupational therapy.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageInvestigating residents’ willingness to participate in urban edible landscaping: Perspectives from China
2023Yansha Xiao, Chun-Chen Chou, Kenji Doi, Kento Yoh · Eco Cities · China (Hefei)
This study investigated residents' willingness to participate in urban edible landscaping in Hefei, China, using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior model and an online questionnaire survey. Findings indicate that participation intention is influenced by perceived benefits and costs, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms. Multi-group analyses also revealed moderating effects of past behavior, age, and gender.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyStudy of Plans to Ensure the Sustainability of Urban Farming in Apartment Complexes
2023Donghyun Kim, Hyunnam Sim · Sustainability · Republic of Korea
To ensure the sustainability of urban farming in apartment complexes in the Republic of Korea, this study explored the possibility of targeting apartments as urban farming sites. It derived and analyzed the importance of urban farming initiation indicators, finding that "public funding" and "technical and management support" are the most important factors. Based on these findings, policy directions are proposed to facilitate urban farming in apartment complexes.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityA Bibliometric Analysis of Current Knowledge Structure and Research Progress Related to Urban Community Garden Systems
2023Hua Zheng, Min Guo, Qian Wang, Qinghai Zhang, Noriko Akita · Land · Global
This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 487 papers on community gardens from the Web of Science database to understand their knowledge structure and research development. Research papers in this area significantly increased from 2012, with the United States contributing the most and high-income countries accounting for 93.22% of studies. "Health" was the most frequent keyword, and "ecosystem services" gained popularity, with three major research themes identified: "ecosystem services and disservices," "multidimensional association," and "sustainable garden systems."
CommunityHealthBiodiversityPolicyStimulating and developing sustainable urban local economies: The role of urban agriculture
2023James Kwame Mensah · Development Southern Africa · Ghana
This research examined the role of urban agriculture in the urban local economy in Ghana, addressing a lack of empirical evidence from a Local Economic Development (LED) perspective. Data was gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with urban agriculturalists and local authorities in two assemblies in the Greater Accra region. The findings suggest that with proper support, urban agriculture can improve the local economy by providing employment, income, and enhanced livelihood and food security.
EconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityAssessment of Land Use Efficiencies of Ghanaian Cities: Case Study of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
2023M. S. Aduah, Saviour Mantey · South African Journal of Geomatics · Ghana
This study used geospatial techniques, multi-temporal land use maps, and population data to estimate urban land use efficiency (LUE), changes in built-up area per capita, and urban sprawl speed (SS) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area of Ghana. While LUE generally improved from 2002 to 2016, it deteriorated slightly between 2016 and 2021. Critically, agricultural land or grassland in the city has been converted to built-up land, posing a challenge for urban agriculture.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageAnalisis Penggunaan Lahan Budidaya Ikan di Kawasan Minapolitan Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat
2023Ugeng Wijanarko, Baba Barus, Fredinan Yulianda · Jurnal Tataloka · Indonesia (Bogor)
The Minapolitan region of Bogor Regency, Indonesia (Ciseeng, Parung, Gunung Sindur, and Kemang districts), contributes to national fish production and the local economy but faces land use pressure from Jakarta's development and increasing demand for residential areas. This study analyzed efficient fish farming land use in line with the 2016-2036 Bogor Regency Spatial Plan (RTRW). The optimal land use scenario for 2028 involves moderate implementation of RTRW regulations, prioritizing residential use in urban areas while still permitting fish farming land, which allows fish farmers adjustment time for technology transfer if they continue aquaculture activities in residential areas.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceIMPACT: Ideal Measures for Participation and Awareness of Climate Change: Stronger Together Citizen participation in achieving the European Green Deal in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion
2023Issam Alsamara, Stefanie Felicitas Beinert, Jeanne Catelijne de Jong, Maaike Jeannette Barbara Klapp, Viktoria Sirkku Marewsk, Rana Orhan · South Eastern European Journal of Public Health · Europe
This article discusses citizen participation in achieving the European Green Deal in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (EMR). It presents three policy options to increase citizen participation: local climate measurements, sustainable food consumption (reducing food waste), and sustainable cities through urban gardening. Recommendations include encouraging citizen science projects, gathering insights on regional greenhouse gas emissions, providing more sustainable food in institutional canteens, reducing food waste, using social media for sustainable food information, utilizing urban areas for urban gardening projects, and creating community sustainability challenges.
Climate changePolicyCommunityImplications of urban farming on urban resilience in Indonesia: Systematic literature review and research identification
2023Abdillah Abdillah, Ida Widianingsih, Rd Ahmad Buchari, Heru Nurasa · Cogent Food & Agriculture · Indonesia
A systematic literature review on urban farming in Indonesia identified its trend in achieving urban resilience as a response to urban food security issues and an economic boost during the COVID-19 crisis. While urban farming is suggested to promote urban resilience in Indonesia, it has several weaknesses in the urban resilience design due to problems with production, food security, and land scarcity in urban areas.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changePolicyBeyond food: Framing ecosystem services value in peri-urban farming in the post-Covid era with a multidimensional perspective. The case of Cascina Biblioteca in Milan (Italy)
2023Stefano Corsi, Marta Dell’Ovo, Catherine Dezio, Antonio Longo, Alessandra Oppio · Cities · Italy (Milan)
This contribution proposes the case study of a multifunctional farmhouse, Cascina Biblioteca, in the Milan suburban area of Italy, to test an integrated preliminary evaluation model. The model aims to support urban planning and design decisions by maximizing the performance of ecosystem services provided by multifunctional agriculture (MFA), which includes food production, environmental preservation, and social inclusion.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyCommunityBiodiversityUrban Agriculture Approach in The Development of Sustainable Cities: The Case Of Elazığ, Türkiye
2023Fürüzan Aslan, Yaşar Menteş, Oğuz ATEŞ · Kırklareli Üniversitesi Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · Turkey (Elazığ)
This study examines the city area of Elazığ province, Türkiye, from the perspective of urban agriculture, which is presented as a tool for sustainable urban development. It offers various suggestions to ensure sustainability in Elazığ, develop insights into regional food supply, and increase the importance of urban aesthetics, land use, urban environmental management, public health, and economic development.
PolicyHealthEconomicsCommunityPlant What You Eat: Politik Keseharian Komunitas Urban Farming Makassar dalam Merespon Permasalahan Global Terkait Krisis Pangan
2023Aswin Baharuddin, Rahmatia Rahmatia, Julia Hardianti Rusmin, Femi Nur Islami · Hasanuddin Journal of International Affairs · Indonesia (Makassar)
This study analyzes the "Plant What You Eat" concept implemented by the Makassar Gardening Community in Makassar, Indonesia, in response to the global food crisis and decreasing agricultural land. Using a Daily Politics approach, the study found that the community's daily politics involved forming collective action, encouraging public political participation, and building local, national, and international networks to promote urban farming.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityUrban–rural linkagePolicySchool Gardens and the Urban Child
2023Angela Oulton, Susan Jagger · · North America
A discourse analysis of historical school garden texts in North America reveals that school gardens have not been welcoming or accessible to all children, despite persuasive research on the positive effects of nature-based learning. Historically, school gardens were used to serve adult agendas, including containing urban children, assimilating marginalized groups, and creating laborers, thereby reinforcing patriarchal, colonial, white supremacist, and eugenic aspirations. This study explores how these discourses culturally constructed childhoods and influenced children.
Equity & displacementFood educationCommunityHealthPolicyAssessing urban transformational strategies through innovative farming practices in the Johannesburg city center
2023Adeline Ngie, Nobukhosi Sithole · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · South Africa (Johannesburg)
A study in Johannesburg, South Africa, assessed urban transformational strategies, including rooftop gardening and hydroponic farming, aimed at improving food security and regenerating infrastructure. Using open-ended interviews with stakeholders, findings indicated improved household food security and income generation, but challenges such as soil and water flow for rooftop gardens persist. Hydroponics faced hurdles like energy supply and input costs, though it showed more promise for land and water resource efficiency.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityDigital agricultureBetween food fulfillment and income: Can urban agriculture contribute to both?
2023Oekan S. Abdoellah, Yusep Suparman, Kinanti Indah Safitri, Akhmad Zainal Mubarak, Mira Milani, Margareth, L. T. Abhinav Surya · Geography and sustainability · Indonesia (Bandung)
A study in Bandung, Indonesia, surveyed 321 households to assess urban agriculture's contribution to household food fulfillment and income. The findings showed an insignificant 9% contribution to food fulfillment and a 41.5% contribution to income. This limited impact was attributed to metropolitan complexities, including restricted land access and increasing commercialization.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityCollective urban gardens: growing, learning and fostering social engagement
2023Geneviève Cloutier, Émilie Houde-Tremblay, Stéphanie Gaudet · Local Environment · Canada (Québec City), Spain (Madrid)
Case studies of collective gardens in Québec City, Canada, and Madrid, Spain, operating for approximately ten years, showed that urban gardening practices offer learning opportunities extending beyond gardening itself into collective decision-making and social engagement. These gardens are sites of social processes where gardeners develop a strong identity related to alternative lifestyles and a sense of belonging that connects them to nature beyond the garden's boundaries. Gardeners learn that neighborhood-oriented actions have political implications that can help change the city.
CommunityFood educationPolicyUrban Farming Development Strategy to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture in Magelang, Indonesia
2023Reismaya Wanamertan Nugroho, Kusnandar, Joko Sutrisno · International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology · Indonesia
This study used the Analytical Network Process (ANP) method with expert respondents to determine urban farming development priorities in Magelang, Indonesia. The social dimension was identified as the overall sustainability priority. Key priorities across dimensions included women farmers' income and motivation, land availability, cultivation technology, and agricultural extension roles, leading to integrated agriculture as the priority strategy.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityClimate change