Research & reports

Angelica Mendoza Beltrán, Kelzy Jepsen, Martí Rufí-Salís, Sergi Ventura, Cristina Madrid‐López, Gara Villalba · The Science of The Total Environment · Spain (Barcelona)

This study mapped N2O emissions from peri-urban agriculture in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), Spain. Researchers spatially distributed factors like crop type, fertilizer use, and irrigation, creating N2O emission maps using crop-specific and Tier 1 IPCC emission factors (EFs). The study found that Tier 1 IPCC EFs estimated 15% more emissions (7718 kg N2O-N year−1) than crop-specific EFs (6533 kg N2O-N year−1) for the entire AMB, indicating higher emissions for rainfed crops with Tier 1 EFs and for irrigated horticultural crops with crop-specific EFs. The mapping helps evaluate spatial variability of key factors but carries uncertainties due to downscaling regional data.

Grace Ning Yuan, Gian Powell B. Marquez, Haoran Deng, Anastasiia Iu, Melisa Fabella, Reginald B. Salonga, Fitrio Ashardiono, Joyce A. Cartagena · Heliyon · Global

This review examined urban agriculture (UA) across technology, socio-economy, and policy, noting that supporting UA expansion in cities is challenging due to its poor economic profitability. The study highlighted UA's value beyond profitability, including social, health and well-being, disaster risk reduction, and environmental benefits. It also presented advancements in UA technologies and plant biotechnology as potential solutions for increasing the future profitability of commercial UA.

Yujia Zhang, Jordan P. Smith, Daoqin Tong, B. L. Turner · Landscape and Urban Planning · United States (Phoenix)

A model was developed to optimize the co-benefits of food desert and urban heat mitigation through community garden planning, applied to over 5,000 vacant parcels in the Phoenix metro-area, USA. The study found that the optimal number and locations of community gardens needed for different mitigation goals can vary significantly. The existing 76 community gardens were mostly clustered around urban cores, leaving two-thirds of the metro-area underserved, but spatially optimized siting could double the co-benefits gained and cover more high-need neighborhoods.

Fa Likitswat, Alisa Sahavacharin · Journal of Architectural/Planning Research and Studies (JARS) · Thailand (Bangkok)

This research analyzed landscape transformations, specifically agricultural landscape structures and functions, in eight selected sites in the urban fringe of Bangkok from 1952 to 2018. The study found that the significant loss of agricultural landscape in Bangkok's peri-urban areas resulted in the loss of seasonal water retention areas, productive landscapes, and urban wildlife habitats. It concludes there is a research gap regarding the lack of policies and practices to promote ecosystem services linked to preserving peri-urban agriculture in Bangkok.

Elisa Appolloni, Giorgio Gianquinto · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global

Rooftop agriculture, a form of urban agriculture where food is grown on buildings, is presented as a solution to urban food insecurity and environmental protection. This practice offers benefits such as reducing urban heat, decreasing urban poverty, fostering socialization, and benefiting buildings. Rooftop agriculture is gaining global popularity due to these advantages.

Dan Yan, Litao Liu, Xiaojie Liu, Ming Zhang · Land · Global

A bibliometric analysis of 605 papers from the Web of Science database (2001–2021) tracked global research trends in urban agriculture. The study found a substantial increase in publications, with the US, Germany, UK, Italy, and China being the most influential countries. Research focuses include food production, various functions of urban agriculture, and emerging topics like sustainability and the water-energy-food nexus. The analysis also noted that urban agriculture does not necessarily equate to a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly food system, suggesting a need for technology-based transitions for sustainable development.

Alejandro Castillo Nolte, Sascha Buchholz, Nadja Pernat, Monika Egerer · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global

This study investigated diurnal and nocturnal temperature ranges, and daily maximum and minimum temperatures in 18 urban gardens during the peak summer agricultural growing season. It analyzed how temperatures correlated to local land cover factors within the garden, surrounding landscape imperviousness at various spatial scales, and environmental justice indicators of garden neighborhoods. Nocturnal temperature range was negatively correlated to landscape imperviousness, with the relationship decreasing in strength with increasing spatial scale.

Hadi Ebadi, Zahra Mohebi · Journal of Sustainability Perspectives · Iran (Kermanshah)

This study investigated the implementation of an urban agriculture plan (green garden) at Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran, and its effects on sustainable development. The plan is expected to strengthen social interaction, economic and environmental aspects, and foster a culture aligned with urban agriculture development. The findings are intended for use in planning and agricultural policies.

Wim van Dijk, J.E. Jansma, J. Broeze, J.J.R. Groot · · Netherlands (Amsterdam)

This chapter focuses on regional resourcefulness for food systems, arguing that urban areas are vital for closing nutrient loops to prevent resource depletion. Two case studies in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam (MRA) discuss phosphorus (P) flows, exploring the potential of a circular food system in Almere and quantifying actual P-flows across the MRA. The chapter concludes that a circular City Region Food System is technically feasible but requires a fundamental shift in the organization of food and waste systems.

Elizabeth Regier, Walter McDonald · Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment · United States (Milwaukee)

This study monitored two bioswales treating runoff from an urban farm in Milwaukee, WI, United States, to assess their hydrologic and water quality performance. The bioswales effectively reduced runoff volume, peak flows, total phosphorus, and high concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS >25 mg/L), achieving a median 98% load reduction across all pollutants. However, they showed mixed results in reducing total nitrogen concentrations and TSS at low influent concentrations (≤25 mg/L).

Iffat Jahan Nur, Motaleb Hossain Sarker, Tanıa Hossain, Tasnia Ferdous, Sazedatur Rahman, Benazir Iqbal, Md. Golam Jilani Helal, Md. Forhad Hossain · Current Research in Environmental Sustainability · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

An experimental survey of twenty rooftop gardens in Mohammadpur and Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh, examined four categories of ecosystem services using a Rapid Assessment Checklist with 47 indicators. The average score for total ecosystem services was 50 ± 12 out of 100, indicating an intermediate performance. Cultural services scored highest at 60 ± 14, while provisioning services scored lowest at 41 ± 13.

Sofia Kourmpetli, Natalia Falagán, Charlotte A. Hardman, Lingxuan Liu, Bethan R. Mead, Lael Walsh, Jessica Davies · International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation · Global

This perspective paper presents 'rurbanisation' as a strategy for a resilient food system, focusing on postharvest benefits of urban agriculture for sustainable supply chains, enhanced nutrition, and access to fresh food. It identifies challenges for upscaling urban agricultural systems, including the need for improved technologies, local infrastructure, and knowledge transfer to new farmers. The paper also highlights research gaps in postharvest quality and safety.

Felix Hellinger, Dorothee Benkowitz, Petra Lindemann‐Matthies · Education Sciences · Global

Students' knowledge about the growth of food plants and their ideas for school garden design were investigated among 2107 fifth and sixth graders (mean age 12.3 years). About 40% of students believed carrots and radishes grow in underground bunches, and nearly 50% thought kohlrabi also grows underground. Girls performed better than boys, and increasing age and gardening experience had a positive effect on answers.

Elena Brunori, Alessandra Bernardini, Federico Valerio Moresi, Fabio Attorre, Rita Biasi · Plants · Italy (Rome)

A preliminary assessment of the adaptability of 15 Italian native and non-native Vitis vinifera L. cultivars to urban environmental stressors was conducted at the Botanical Garden of Rome during the 2021 growing season. Researchers evaluated leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and spectral signatures. Native cultivars showed medium-high leaf chlorophyll content (>350 mol m−2), good photosynthetic efficiency (QY > 0.75), and optimal stomatal behavior under drought stress (200 > gs > 50 mmol H2O m−2 s−1), indicating site-specific resistance and resilience to urban conditions.

Sara Noemie Plassnig, Marisa Pettit, Kristin Reichborn‐Kjennerud, Ina Säumel · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Global

This study documents and analyzes scaling practices of co-created Living Labs implementing Edible City Solutions (ECS) in Andernach, Berlin, Havana, Oslo, and Rotterdam. Using a mixed-method approach and applying scaling pathways (up, deep, wide, across, soft), the research presents ongoing scaling stories, experiences, and challenges. The study critically reviews scaling processes and offers eleven recommendations for scaling edible nature-based solutions.

Aaron Sedivy · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Global

This document outlines the benefits of urban agriculture, such as energy conservation, rainwater remediation, and therapeutic uses, and its contribution to food security pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. It suggests special considerations for improving urban soils and designing an evolving food crop production plan.

Kamonashish Haldar, Katarzyna Kujawa-Roeleveld, Tapos Kumar Acharjee, Dilip Kumar Datta, H.H.M. Rijnaarts · The Science of The Total Environment · Bangladesh

This paper assesses urban water as an alternative freshwater resource for irrigation in the Bengal delta, Bangladesh, where coastal plains face irrigation water shortages. Using the FAO AquaCrop model, it was found that 7.4 million m3 of irrigation water is needed for Boro rice during the dry season, while over 8.2 million m3 of urban water is generated. Mismatches between demand and supply occurred in February and March, suggesting a need for water storage capacities and policy changes to facilitate urban water reuse infrastructure.

Emanuele Batistela dos Santos, Dayanne da Costa Maynard, Renata Puppin Zandonadi, António Raposo, Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho · Foods · Global

This systematic review, including 50 studies, examined sustainability recommendations in school feeding policies and practices adopted in schools globally. Frequently cited practices included school gardens and sustainability education activities. Recommendations often focused on purchasing sustainable food, nutrition education, and reducing food waste, highlighting the need for managers to prioritize sustainability education in curricula.

Shefaza Esmail, Maren Oelbermann · Frontiers in Soil Science · Tanzania (Mwanza)

This study investigated farmer perspectives and compost application for soil management in urban agriculture in Mwanza, Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews with 34 urban farmers revealed concerns about climate change and unpredictable rain, with 82% desiring soil improvements. A field trial showed that organic amendments (poultry manure and food waste compost) improved soil water holding capacity by 14-19% and enhanced microbial biomass 1.7-4 times compared to inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, with comparable crop productivity.

Manuela Alves da Cunha, Ryzia de Cássia Vieira Cardoso · Ambiente & sociedade · Brazil (Salvador)

A descriptive study collected data from urban garden farmers in Salvador, Brazil, to assess the contribution of urban gardens to food and nutritional security and sustainable development. Urban gardens were shown to provide work and income for families, contributing to food supply and security. Beyond producing fresh vegetables for the local population, the activity also contributes to ecosystem balance and sustainability.

Hayden Hinton · Digital Archive @ GSU · United States (Atlanta)

A study in the Proctor Creek watershed in Atlanta, Georgia, measured field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) in soils under compaction, urban agricultural use, and lawn maintenance. Urban farming significantly increased soil Kfs (mean 2.2E-4 cm/s) compared to compaction (9.1E-7 cm/s) and lawn maintenance (9.0E-6 cm/s), limiting overland flow. Grain-size distributions showed no significant difference, indicating Kfs was controlled by land-management practices, not soil texture.

Giorgio Jivanka, Petrus Rudi Kasimun · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study analyzes the application of a hybrid concept in a residential project in Jakarta, Indonesia, focusing on simple rental flats (Rusunawa) and urban farming. It aims to address land degradation and poverty by integrating urban plantations to support residents' economic aspects, alongside considering social adaptation needs. The hybrid concept, guided by criteria like project scale and function diversity, serves as a design criterion for work-based residential buildings.

Arlene M. Rosen · Risk, systems and decisions · Global

This paper suggests that modern Western communities can learn from small-scale societies' long-term sustainable living strategies in dryland environments. These societies developed resilience over thousands of years, rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, enabling them to thrive through shifting environmental conditions. While not directly applicable to large cities, their solutions can inform ground-up approaches for smaller urban segments like neighborhood collectives, urban gardening, and water conservation methods.

Abhishek C, Soumya T V, V. Ajith · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This study evaluated the effect of coir grow bags as an alternative to plastic grow bags on plant growth and yield. Seedlings of amaranthus, tomato, brinjal, chilli, herbs, medicinal plants, and ornamental plants were transplanted into coir grow bags and synthetic grow bags for comparison. Results showed that plants grown in coir grow bags exhibited higher yield and plant height, along with noticeable improvements in visual plant condition, compared to those in synthetic grow bags.

Cristiane Cruz Barros Cristiane Cruz Barros, Óscar Emerson Zúñiga Mosquera, Luciano Pires de Andrade, Horasa Maria Lima da Silva Andrade · International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science · Brazil (Recife)

This case study examined the Integrated Project of Community Gardens around CEASA/PE in Recife, Brazil, using secondary and primary data from semi-structured interviews. The research analyzed socio-spatial dynamics before and after the project's implementation to identify municipal transformations. It aimed to compare the project's reality with policy forecasts and identify environmental impacts, with initial conclusions presented.