Research & reports

Mattia Andreola · Discover Sustainability · Italy (Trento)

This study conducted three years of ethnographic research, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and quantitative data analysis, on "NaturalMente in Trentino," a CSA initiative in Trento, Italy. The research revealed multiple lock-in points, indicating that CSA constraints stem from organizational inefficiencies, deeply rooted cultural and behavioral habits such as the use of private gardens or a preference for supermarket convenience, and rigid institutional frameworks like cooperative dominance in the local agri-food regime.

Mahyudin Mahyudin, Muh. Akmal Ibrahim, Muhammad Yunus, Syahribulan Syahribulan · Journal of Management and Administration Provision · Indonesia (Makassar)

This research used a descriptive qualitative approach, including observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, to analyze the implementation of development network policies for urban farming for sustainable food independence in Makassar City. The findings indicate that the implementation of the urban farming development policy network requires improvement through joint actions among stakeholders. This is due to a lack of instructors assisting the Women Farmers Group (KWT), which is the target of the urban farming program, thus affecting the sustainability of activities utilizing yard land for productive use and food independence.

Ágnes Gagyi · Local Environment · Europe

This paper investigated urban gardening in an East European capital, focusing on institutional resources. The study found a clear relationship between a shortfall of institutional resources and the limited, conflictual promotion of urban gardens as sustainability tools. It argues that gardens' contradictions stem from the privatization of public functions, which has depleted institutions capable of implementing gardens as sustainability tools, instead outsourcing costs to garden communities.

Ivanjack, Katherine Rose, Preciado, Kylie J · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)

This senior capstone project aims to explore the potential of urban agriculture to address critical challenges in sustainability, food security, and community development within California cities. The project highlights practical and innovative approaches to urban farming that can be adopted or adapted to suit the unique needs of urban areas across the state.

Aulia Nishful Laila, Sugito Sugito · Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Media Pemikiran dan Dakwah Pembangunan · Indonesia

A qualitative research methodology investigated the role of social capital in the empowerment of urban agriculture within the Srikandi Women’s Farmers Group (KWT) in Mrican, Sleman, Indonesia. The study revealed that the effective utilization of social capital significantly contributes to the success of empowerment initiatives within KWT Srikandi. Social networks are robustly established both internally among KWT Mrican members and externally through collaborations with academic institutions, government entities, and the private sector, though challenges persist, including limited expansion of partnership outreach and the necessity for improvements in facilities and infrastructure.

Deniz Çağla Bal, Independent Reseacher, Osman Kaan Inan, Yusuf Çakmakçı · International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research · Global

This study aims to reveal the intellectual structure, main themes, and research trajectories of academic literature on hobby gardens using bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping methods. Analyses of articles from the Scopus database covering 1989–2025 show that the unifying element of hobby gardening is based on the concepts of “gardening” and “human.” The main driving force of the field was determined to be social and human dynamics such as “leisure time” and gender, indicating that hobby gardening research focuses on its role in human well-being, social life, and community interaction rather than a technical or agricultural focus.

Muqadas Bhatti · International annals of health sciences · Pakistan

Urbanization in Pakistan has led to significant dietary shifts, causing hidden nutritional deficiencies, particularly among adolescents. Urban diets are characterized by increased consumption of fats, sugars, and processed foods, alongside reduced intake of fiber, carbohydrates, and essential micronutrients, exacerbating malnutrition. Vulnerable groups like female adolescents and pregnant women face heightened risks. Community-level interventions are urgently needed to combat these deficiencies.

Johannes Bhanye, Abraham R. Matamanda, Ruvimbo Shayamunda · Discover Global Society · Zimbabwe

In Lydiate informal settlement in peri-urban Zimbabwe, Malawian migrants mobilize insurgent practices, including informal land seizures, spiritual claims, and communal strategies, to access land for farming. Access to land for urban and peri-urban farming remains a significant hurdle, especially for marginalized migrants. Migrants invoke divine ownership narratives, Nyau cult practices, and witchcraft deterrence as tactical tools for defending seized land.

Lyons, Jennifer, Davies, Anna, Gallagher, Daisy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Ireland (Dublin)

This report provides sustainability impact scenarios for Food Sharing Initiatives (FSIs) in Dublin city. Combining CULTIVATE’s Food Sharing Map and Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) data submitted by FSIs, it offers low, average, and high estimations of the sustainability impacts created by FSIs. The impact indicators presented are only a subset of total impacts, and estimations will become more accurate as more FSIs submit SIA data.

Azka Madihah, Aliifah Ghassanii · Atlantis highlights in social sciences, education and humanities/Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities · Asia

This study examined eco-urban diplomacy through urban farming and environmental horticulture in Jakarta-Tokyo and Surabaya-Kitakyushu sister-city partnerships. Jakarta-Tokyo collaboration promoted participatory urban farming and rooftop greening, raising Tokyo's vegetable self-sufficiency from 4.27% to a potential 11.73%. Surabaya-Kitakyushu cooperation achieved a threefold mangrove expansion and 20% waste reduction, but financial constraints, communication gaps, and land insecurity persist, risking exclusion of marginalized groups.

Méabh Bonham Corcoran, Salam Jabbour, Frédérique Vallières, Sarah Quinn · Journal of Occupational Science · Global

This scoping review analyzed 15 studies from 2000 to 2023 to identify community-based groups that reduce occupational deprivation for asylum seekers, refugees, and other forcibly displaced populations. These groups included community development projects (n=5), community gardens (n=4), sports-based groups (n=3), and community creative art groups (n=3). They demonstrated an ability to enhance a sense of belonging and well-being for these populations by engaging them in diverse occupations alongside local community members.

F. Xavier Medina, José Antonio Vázquez–Medina, Marco Covarrubias · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Mexico (Mexico City)

This chapter discusses the factors linking food production, social and environmental problems, and future challenges in the chinampas of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage wetland area in Mexico City's peri-urban zone. It examines strategies implemented by stakeholders and their effects to envision future scenarios for sustainable food systems. The insularity of the chinampas imposes a particular character on agri-food production and the life of inhabitants, highlighting existing social and environmental problems.

Andreas Wesener, Shannon Davis, Guanyu Chen · Urban Planning · New Zealand (Christchurch)

This study explored strategic spatial opportunities for improving access to and distribution of locally produced food, using urban community gardens in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, as a case study. GIS analysis was used to examine spatial accessibility to urban community gardens and associated socio-demographic factors, in comparison to commercial food outlets. The results indicated that the method is useful for examining spatial accessibility, and that urban community gardens in Christchurch are mainly located in more deprived areas, with walkable access provided to about one-fifth of the city’s total population.

Francisco Pereira de Sousa, Clareana Maria Guimarães Franco, Cássio Bruno Sá de Souza, Débora de Paula Brito Fogaça, Marcos Paulo Parente Araújo, Maíra Santiago Pires Parente, Henrique D. Silva, Dirlley Douglas Alves de Oliveira · Caderno Pedagógico · Brazil

A qualitative and quantitative study in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil, aimed to understand the interfaces of the Palmas City Hall's community garden project. Based on ethnographic research, action research, and field study, the results showed that this local practice enhances community participation in urban garden planting in northern Palmas. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and is a viable tool for minimizing food insecurity and hunger reduction. However, the project requires structural adjustments, promotion of public and private partnerships, and support from universities and civil society for healthy sustainability.

Elan Elan, Riefki Fiestawa, Risbon Sianturi, Qonita Qonita, Pidi Mohamad Setiadi · Journal of Community Service and Empowerment · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya City)

The "Character Garden Program" was developed in Indihiang District, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, to integrate character education through school garden-based learning. Using a Participatory Action Research approach, 39 teachers from seven elementary schools participated in training and module development. Teachers' understanding of character education integration significantly increased (pre-test 61.05 to 77.24, p < 0.001), and students showed increased responsible behavior (2.61 to 3.40) and mutual cooperation (2.63 to 3.36).

Faran Muhammad, Muneeba, Muhammad Bilal · Gomal Journal of Agriculture and Biology · Global

This paper explored hybrid approaches to urban agriculture combining vertical farming and rooftop gardening. Experimental pilot hybrid systems installed in certain metropolitan regions showed significant improvements in yield per unit area, water-use efficiency, and energy-use efficiency compared to normal rooftop gardens. Qualitative assessments highlighted positive community-level outcomes, including greater dietary diversity, better comprehension of sustainable food habits, and a rise in wellness and health perception.

Pitra Neli, Hery Bachrizal Tanjung, Devi Analia · Jurnal Niara · Indonesia (Sumatera Barat)

This quantitative study, conducted from April to June 2024 in Padang, Padang Panjang, and Bukittinggi cities in West Sumatra, investigated the competencies of agricultural extension workers in urban farming development. A census of 36 extension workers supporting urban farming since 2016 revealed that their competency level was moderate (38.9%), with innovation mastery, regional potential understanding, urban agribusiness potential understanding, and farmer needs understanding also falling into the moderate category. Formal education, attitude, and skills were found to significantly influence extension workers' competence in urban farming development.

Luna Khirfan · · Canada (Waterloo)

This chapter introduces three deliberative methods for cultural ecosystem services, based on empirical experimentation. One method, a conventional charrette, sought to understand and overcome barriers to community gardening at four community gardens in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The study identified barriers to community gardening.

Adriano N. Roberto, Andrés G. Rolhauser, J. Scott MacIvor, Marney E. Isaac · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Canada (Toronto)

This study investigated plant facilitation in rooftop agriculture in Toronto, Canada, testing whether live Sedum could improve bush bean performance on 48 extensive green roof (EGR) modules under high and low watering regimes. Water availability had a greater influence on bean performance than planting design, with beans grown with artificial Sedum under high watering showing the highest yield, while performance declined significantly under low water, particularly with live Sedum. Contrary to hypotheses, live Sedum did not consistently facilitate bean performance, suggesting potential competitive interactions may have outweighed any stress-ameliorating effects. These findings indicate water management is the main management variable for crops on EGRs.

Tesfay, Hailay, Machethe, Charles · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Ethiopia (Tigray)

This paper examines the effect of Ethiopia's land certification program on the land tenure security of rural and peri-urban farming households in the Tigray region. Analyzing cross-sectional data from 500 respondents using logistic regression, the study showed that the program's effect is significantly influenced by the geographic location of farm households. The program produced better results for rural farmers than for peri-urban farmers, with certified households in rural areas being less likely to experience a change in their land tenure (less secure land tenure) compared to certified farmers in peri-urban areas.

Rita Regina Marques Costa, Denes Dantas Vieira, Vivianni Marques Leite dos Santos, Deise Cristiane do Nascimento · · Brazil (Juazeiro)

This qualitative and quantitative field study analyzed the interaction between university extension and community-based family agriculture at the Povo Unido Community Garden in Juazeiro, Brazil. Conducted between March and May 2025, the research involved semi-structured questionnaires and dialogues with 47 farming families to understand their perceptions of knowledge exchange and interaction with educational institutions. Results showed consensus on the importance of university extension, but farmers pointed out challenges such as limited time for discussion and effective inclusion of participants with lower educational attainment.

Jeffery W Bentley, Paul Van Mele · CABI eBooks · Global

This work presents several global examples of community engagement aimed at reviving traditional food cultures. In Egypt, the NGO Nawaya empowers rural women as caterers by preserving culinary heritage, while a school in Peru integrates local knowledge and biodiversity through school gardens. France's La Tablée event connects organic farmers and consumers, and Bolivia's AGRECOL Andes supports smallholder farmers in selling organic produce to low-income communities. These cases highlight the potential of community involvement in revitalizing traditional food cultures.

Joyce Thamaga-Chitja, Nthabeleng Tamako, Temitope O. Ojo · Land · South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)

In Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, the impact of land ownership on household food security among 156 urban farmers was analyzed. The majority of surveyed households experienced mild food insecurity, with a smaller proportion facing moderate insecurity. Land ownership was found to significantly reduce household food insecurity by 50%. Monthly income, age, and cooperative membership positively influenced land ownership likelihood, while gender and distance to market had negative impacts.

Khati Malo, Dharmendra Singh Lagoriya, Rakesh Kumar, Anil Bhushan, Sandeep Chopra, R. K. Samnotra, Sumiya Afreen · Ecology Environment and Conservation · India

This review explores various urban farming models as sustainable solutions to address food insecurity, malnutrition, and environmental degradation, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like India. It examines the role of urban agriculture, through both traditional systems (e.g., kitchen gardens, rooftop and community gardens) and modern approaches (e.g., hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming), in building resilient food systems, and the importance of combining traditional practices with technological innovations and supportive governance. Challenges such as infrastructure limitations, policy gaps, and lack of technical expertise are also faced.

Bernardo Riley, Mariana Trotta Dallalana Quintans · InSURgência revista de direitos e movimentos sociais · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)

The Quilombo da Gamboa Popular Housing Project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, originated from social movements' struggle for popular housing. The project secured six Union properties for over 100 families under the My Home My Life Entities Program. Currently, 17 families live in temporary houses while the main project advances. The Quilombo da Gamboa also operates a solidarity kitchen and a community garden, and conducts political and cultural activities supporting surrounding occupations.