Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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9077 results(36 / 364)
Urban Farming in Vacant Land for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review
2025Liu Shan, Mohd Johari Mohd Yusof, Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, Gao Lihui · ALAM CIPTA International Journal Of Sustainable Tropical Design & Practice · Global
This systematic review assessed the contribution of urban farming in vacant land to sustainable development. It showed that over the last decade, research in this area has focused almost exclusively on sustainability, published mainly in the United States and some European countries. Food security and improved nutrition were the most discussed topics, followed by urban sustainability, while quality was least mentioned. Although there is a substantial basis for positive benefits, gaps remain in quantitative assessments and in-depth case studies on sustainable contributions.
Urban–rural linkageEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePemberdayaan Kelompok Pemberdayaan dan Kesejahteraan Keluarga (PKK) melalui Edukasi dan Implementasi Urban Farming Untuk Mendukung Ketahanan Pangan di Semarang
2025Ana Wahyuni, Stephanus Widjaja, Deny Nitalia M · Jurnal Pengabdian dan Pengembangan Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Semarang)
A community service activity was conducted for members of UP2K TP PKK in Maltiharjo Village, Semarang, to introduce and implement urban farming concepts. The activity included technical training in vertical vegetable cultivation and regular mentoring, showing an increase in participants' knowledge and skills. Harvested produce was used for family consumption, as healthy menu additions, and as an income source through sales, demonstrating urban farming's potential to support food security and create productive green environments.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareDIYCooling benefits of Urban agriculture to inhabitants—mapping cooling potential of allotments in European functional urban areas
2025Grzegorz Budzik, Marta Sylla, Catharina J.E. Schulp · Journal of Environmental Management · Europe
The cooling potential of allotments across European Functional Urban Areas (FUAs) was assessed. Allotments provide cooling services to 4.1 million people within FUAs, including 1.7 million in Germany. Each square kilometer of allotments cools an average of 8,221 people, with the cooled area being, on average, 2.8 times larger than the allotment size. Urban agriculture was 23% more efficient than peri-urban agriculture, but only 5% of allotments cooled areas with the highest heat risk.
Climate changeCommunityHealthUncontrolled urban vegetable farming poses public health risks in Ethiopia
2025Taffere Addis, Sisay Ketema, Abayneh Melaku · Frontiers in Water · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
This study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, investigated trace metal levels in sediment, soil, and irrigated vegetables from farms along the Akaki River, evaluating public health risks. Sediment levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc exceeded threshold effect levels. Soil levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, manganese, and zinc exceeded typical world soil values, with nickel at one site exceeding EEC limits for agricultural soils. Critically, arsenic, lead, and zinc levels in some vegetable samples were above WHO allowable limits, despite soil levels being acceptable, and cadmium was the most accumulated metal in vegetables.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkageConviviality and commoning
2025Andrea Vetter, Matthias Fersterer · · Global
This chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Degrowth (2025) examines the concepts of 'conviviality' and 'commoning' from a degrowth perspective. Conviviality refers to the quality of relationships between humans and non-humans, while commoning involves organizing these relationships. The authors use examples like composting toilets and community-supported agriculture to illustrate the potential of these concepts to foster prefigurative politics and direct action.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceImplementasi Urban Farming di Pesantren sebagai Model Edukasi Lingkungan dan Ketahanan Pangan Islami
2025Yunita Asman, Anida Anida, T. M. Haikal, Farhan Zikri · Abdimas Indonesian Journal · Indonesia
Urban farming was implemented at an Islamic boarding school in Bireuen Regency, Indonesia, utilizing unproductive land to grow crops like vegetables and melons. This program aimed to increase food self-sufficiency and shape student character through practical learning and Islamic ecotheological values. The school was able to meet up to 20% of its internal food needs, and the activity fostered ecological awareness, discipline, and responsibility among students.
Food educationFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityՙՙUrban Agriculture and Sustainable Communities՚՚: An Analytical Study of Urban Agriculture as a Tool for Achieving Food Security and Sustainability in Modern Cities
2025dalia shalaby eldamaty, Ahmed Mahmoud Nagi · التصميم الدولية · Global
This analytical study discusses urban agriculture as a tool for food security and sustainable development in cities. It reviews the benefits of urban agriculture, including improved environmental quality, enhanced local economy, and increased social interaction. The research analyzes successful global experiences and provides recommendations to promote urban agriculture, such as developing supportive policies and strengthening community partnerships.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsPolicyCommunity“Eco School Project” Program to Create an Environmentally Friendly School Garden at UPTD SDN Cinini Sumbermulya Village Indramayu
2025Yusrina Nafilah, Idah Hamidah, Eva Yuliana · ENGAGEMENT Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Indramayu)
The "Eco School Project" is a program aimed at creating an environmentally friendly school garden at UPTD SDN Cinini Sumbermulya Village in Indramayu, Indonesia. This program functions as an educational tool, inviting students to be directly involved in environmental conservation efforts to understand the importance of preserving nature and implementing environmentally friendly behavior in daily life. Collaboration among the school, students, parents, and the surrounding community is essential for the sustainability and success of this initiative.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeCo-creating stories for social innovation: a dialogic reflection of narrative Futuring and Cinema del Pueblo
2025Nico Meißner, Salvador Cantellano · Continuum · Australia (Queensland)
This article reflects on the application of Narrative Futuring and Cinema del Pueblo, two co-creation methods, with Ediblescapes, an urban farming initiative in Nerang, Queensland, between late 2022 and 2023. The study used dialogic reflection to examine individual and collaborative processes in community-engaged storytelling. Challenges identified include navigating diverse stakeholder perspectives, managing hybrid workshop formats, and ensuring a seamless transition between co-creation methods.
CommunityFood educationSustainable Peri-Urban Agriculture: Innovations and Practices at IIHS Campus, Kengeri
2025Sheetal Patil, Simi John, Pooja Sagar, Narmada A. Khare, Kruthika Ganesh · · India
This book explores the integration of regenerative urban agriculture within sustainable cityscapes, using the IIHS Kengeri Campus in India as a case study. The campus functions as a 'living lab' for sustainable soil and water management, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and urban food production. By experimenting with interdisciplinary approaches, the book highlights innovative models for food and water security in rapidly urbanizing environments.
Peri-urban agricultureClimate changeEconomicsBiodiversityGrowing together: unveiling the potential of school-based community gardens to foster well-being, empowerment, and sustainability
2025Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira · Urban Transformations · South Africa (Cape Town)
This qualitative study investigated 13 school-based community gardens in low-income townships on the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa, using semi-structured interviews. It found that while these gardens can enhance food security, nutrition, and community development, most urban community gardens in South Africa face significant challenges related to land tenure rights, often requiring negotiation for school land use. The research highlights both the advantages and the challenges of utilizing school land for community gardens.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationHealthPolicyhydro ponos - Die vertikale Farm auf dem Flakturm im Augarten Eine Symbiose zwischen Bestand und Neubau
2025Grassl, Philipp · reposiTUm (TU Wien) · Europe
The diploma thesis "hydro ponos" at the Vienna University of Technology addresses a new type of agriculture in Vienna's urban context. The project proposes a hydroponic system in a vertical farm, choosing the vacant Flakturm (anti-aircraft tower) in Augarten as the construction site. The study suggests a solution for the city by utilizing the existing Flakturm as a storage and supply element and adding a new timber skeleton structure as an extension.
Digital agricultureUrban–rural linkageClimate changeEconomicsEnhancing Administrative Literacy and Bookkeeping Management in Urban Farming as a Contextual Learning Model for Prospective Elementary School Teachers
2025Erni Suharini, Ervando Tommy Al-Hanif, Edi Kurniawan, Satya Budi Nugraha, NASIR NAYAN, NASIR NAYAN · EduStream Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar · Indonesia
This study, conducted in Sampangan Village, Semarang City, Indonesia, aimed to enhance administrative literacy and bookkeeping management in urban farming activities. A participatory training method was applied, and pre- and post-training questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. The findings showed a significant improvement in participants' administrative and bookkeeping competencies, with average scores increasing from 65.15% before training to 82.70% after training.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceSTRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN URBAN FARMING DI DINAS KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN PERTANIAN (DKPP) KOTA SURABAYA
2025Muhammad Rifal Ramadhan, Teguh Soedarto, Ika Sari Tondang · Jurnal Ilmiah Sosio Agribis · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This study aimed to formulate urban farming development strategies implemented by the Food Security and Agriculture Service (DKPP) of Surabaya City, Indonesia, by identifying internal and external factors using SWOT and QSPM analysis. A descriptive quantitative approach was used, collecting data through questionnaires, observations, documentation, and interviews with 12 respondents (urban farmer groups and DKPP staff). The analysis indicated that DKPP possesses internal strengths like competent human resources and effective training, and external opportunities such as government support and potential institutional partnerships. Expanding collaboration with educational institutions and communities was identified as the top-priority strategy.
PolicyEconomicsFood educationPathways to collective transformative action: Investigating personal narratives in sustainable communities
2025Lena Schmeiduch, Paula Blumenschein, Jane Gösling, Karsten Müller · Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology · Global
This study investigated pathways to joining sustainable communities by conducting 28 narrative interviews with active members. Analysis focused on life experiences, personal motives, and transformative experiences, identifying three pathways: viewing the community as a logical step in a sustainable lifestyle, desiring a sense of community and solidarity, and seeking alternatives to mainstream societal structures.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHORTA COMUNITÁRIA URBANA DE BASE POPULAR, AGROECOLÓGICA E SOLIDÁRIA
2025Paloma Ribeiro TARRÃO, D. Ferreira, Rita de Cássia Pereira de Pereira de Almeida · Revista ORG & DEMO · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article analyzed the implementation of the Gera Juncal community garden in São Mateus, São Paulo, between October 2021 and September 2022, using participatory action research and a case study approach. The findings indicated the adequacy of "School" Time and Community Time relationships, learning agroecology and solidarity economy principles, and the effectiveness of these practices in food production. It also showed changes in individual and group conduct, trainer training, and fostered public policy development for food sovereignty.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleFood educationMicrogreens and Their Role in Sustainable Urban Food Systems
2025Acharya, Sumit, Nayak, Priti Smita, Pramanik, Kartik · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This article highlights microgreen cultivation as a solution for sustainable urban and peri-urban horticulture, addressing challenges from urbanization and demand for nutrient-dense foods. Microgreens are young seedlings harvested within 7–21 days, offering high concentrations of nutrients. They are suitable for urban environments due to minimal resource requirements, rapid growth, low water usage, and high yield, contributing to food security, reduced carbon footprints, and ecological balance by minimizing chemical inputs.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsCommunity Gardens as a Source of Social Capital for Earthquake Preparedness
2025Naomi Shimpo · · Japan (Kobe City)
This chapter presents two case studies of community gardens in old neighborhoods of Kobe City, Japan, to demonstrate their establishment process and the social connections formed. Community gardens serve as open spaces for evacuation and food sources after earthquakes, and daily gardening activities can build social capital crucial for mutual aid in a crisis. The cases illustrate the potential for social capital building through community gardening, particularly for foreign and elderly residents, and highlight the need for city government support for such bottom-up disaster preparedness efforts.
CommunityWelfareElderlyPolicyPeri-Urban Farming: Panacea to Food Insecurity in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
2025Lydia Oladoja, Emmanuel Ajibola Olagunju, G. O. Adesina, Oluwakemi Ajayi · Journal of rural and community development · Nigeria (Ogbomoso)
This descriptive survey in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, investigated peri-urban agriculture (PUA) as a means to address food insecurity. Questionnaires were distributed to 60 respondents, including farmers, government employees, traders, and artisans. The findings indicated that more married men and women engaged in farming than unmarried farmers. The study concluded that PUA has significant potential to ensure a constant food supply in Ogbomoso by providing direct access to locally grown food for residents and markets, provided its opportunities and obstacles are adequately managed.
Peri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsEdukasi Pemasaran Ramah Lingkungan : Mengemas Produk Edufarm Hidroponik Cipayung dengan Nilai Keberlanjutan
2025Vivi Oktari, Zahratun Nupus · KREATIF Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Nusantara · Indonesia
This community service program in Cipayung, Indonesia, aimed to empower urban farmers at Edufarm Hydroponic Cipayung through sustainable marketing strategies, focusing on eco-friendly packaging and digital platforms. Participants learned to redesign product packaging using environmentally friendly materials and to market their products digitally. As a result, participants demonstrated an increased understanding of sustainable marketing, and some successfully increased product prices by 10–20% without reducing buyer interest. The program's implementation was limited by time and technological access.
EconomicsDigital agricultureCommunityFair food futures UK: Protocol for a mixed methods study exploring what approaches adopted by community food organisations are more likely to prevent the need for emergency food in two multicultural communities in Northern and Southern England
2025Laura Sheard, Giorgia Previdoli, Wendy Burton, Rachel Benchekroun, Maddy Power, Bob Doherty, Philip Hadley, Ariadne Beatrice Kapetanaki, Shahid Islam, Sairah Mirza, Claire Cameron, Kate E. Pickett, Angela Hutton, Charlotte Edwards, Maria Bryant · PLoS ONE · United Kingdom
This research protocol describes a mixed-methods study aiming to understand which approaches adopted by community food organizations are most likely to prevent the need for emergency food in two multicultural communities in Bradford and Tower Hamlets, England. The study will create a typology of community food organization approaches through surveys, system mapping workshops, and stakeholder interviews, and will conduct a 12-month ethnographic study in up to 10 organizations and longitudinal qualitative research with up to 35 families.
CommunityWelfareFood sovereignty & justiceHealthComparing urban horticulture of citrus in the Ordos Plateau
2025Ryo Kimura, Mika Hayashi · International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science · China
A trial at the Fukuoka Research Institute of Applied Horticulture (March-November 2023) compared five urban cultivation systems for dwarf citrus under simulated Ordos Plateau conditions. Community allotment plots yielded the highest fruit (18.4 kg plant⁻¹) and best sensory scores (7.9/10), with rooftop gardens second (12.7 kg plant⁻¹). GIS mapping identified rooftops with over 6 hours of direct sunlight as most suitable urban niches, and magnesium foliar sprays at 0.5% MgSO₄ improved chlorophyll by 18.3% across all systems.
DIYCommunityEconomicsDigital agricultureExploring Behavioural Determinants of B40 Participation in Smart Urban Farming
2025· International Journal of Business and Technology Management · Malaysia
This systematic literature review explored behavioral determinants affecting the B40 income group's participation in Smart Urban Farming (SUF) in Malaysia. The review found that B40 farmers face difficulties sustaining SUF projects due to limited financial literacy, poor management, and dependence on external support. A conceptual framework was developed, identifying key behavioral determinants across perceived support and incentives, internal factors, and external factors.
Economic viabilityCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsTerre dell’incontro. Il giardino come dispositivo ecosociale per l’integrazione tra le culture
2025Eliana Saracino · Ri-Vista Research for landscape architecture · Global
This paper explores how urban gardening practices can foster transcultural integration and support migrants in redefining their identity. Through the analysis of established case studies, it is shown that the shared care of a cultivated space can overcome cultural barriers and propose a model of authentic integration based on dialogue and mutual respect.
CommunityWelfareImpact of Peri-Urban Agriculture on Food Self-Sufficiency of Faisalabad
2025Maryam Noor, Liaqat Ali Waseem, Khadija Ashraf, Aqeel Haider, Komal Farhat · International Journal of Innovations in Science and Technology · Pakistan (Faisalabad)
This study assessed the impact of peri-urban agriculture on food self-sufficiency in Faisalabad, Pakistan, by collecting data from 100 peri-urban farming households and analyzing land use changes from 2018 to 2023 using GIS. Households allocated an average of 12.9 Kanals for seasonal vegetables, consuming nearly half domestically and selling the rest locally. A significant association was found between positive nutritional perceptions and regular access to fresh produce. However, limited government support, weak stakeholder coordination, and inadequate market access were identified as key barriers limiting its broader impact.
Peri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealth