Research & reports

· International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements · Iraq (Baghdad)

This case study explored the potential of urban agriculture in the Al-Bastanah neighborhood of Al-Za'faraniya, Baghdad. It investigated how urban agriculture can be integrated into neighborhood planning processes.

Keile Aparecida Beraldo, Rayele Moraes Silva, Rose Mary Gondim Mendonça, Maria Emília Mendonça Pedroza Jaber · Seven Editora eBooks · Brazil

This paper publicizes public policies and urban agriculture initiatives in the municipality of Palmas, Brazil. It identifies twelve public areas with families engaged in urban agriculture and proposes inclusive actions to strengthen the agroecological transition in family urban agriculture. The proposed actions aim to foster new sustainable practices based on environmental education and food and nutritional security.

Clara Godoy-Henderson, Ellen Hiestand, Emma Schluter, Erica Olsen, Jennifer Tacheny, Ambria Crusan, Mary O. Hearst · Journal of American College Health ·

This report describes a One Health approach addressing food insecurity among college students and Latine adult patients at a campus-based community health clinic. Organic community gardens on and near campus, pollinated by campus beehives, contribute local produce to a campus food shelf. This system aims to increase food security and nutritional health for both populations through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Ideni Terezinha Antonello, Léia Aparecida Veiga, Alan Alves Alievi · Revista de Geografia · Brazil

This qualitative study in Londrina, Brazil, investigated the initial actions of an extension project by the State University of Londrina with residents of the Abussafe irregular settlement. Using secondary and primary data, it found that families in the irregular settlement face social vulnerability and food insecurity. Both these families and residents of the nearby formal neighborhood desire to create a community garden and neighborhood association, suggesting that dialogue between the university and residents is a fruitful path for collective actions to improve quality of life.

COULIBALY Moussa · International Journal of Advanced Research · Côte d'Ivoire (Korhogo)

This study in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, surveyed 81 farmers to assess the impact of urban agriculture on food production and farmer health. It found that urban agriculture, predominantly practiced by women (85.19%) with no formal education (71.61%), involves the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with non-adherence to application intervals. A significant portion of farmers (59.26%) discard chemical packaging in the environment. Despite contributing to empowerment, this practice exposes farmers to health problems including fatigue (53.09%), injuries (25.92%), skin burns (11.11%), dry coughs/colds (32.10%), and diarrheal diseases (19.75%).

Alex Opoku, Anna Duff, Moohammed Wasim Yahia, Samuel Ekung · Geography and sustainability · United Kingdom

This study investigated the use of green urban spaces for food self-sufficiency in the UK, examining how sustainable urban farms could reduce imported produce consumption and contribute to SDGs. A mixed-method approach included a survey of 115 respondents and interviews with 12 stakeholders from four urban farming groups. Findings showed a strong correlation between stakeholders' concerns about food origin/carbon footprint and imported produce, suggesting urban farms could play a vital role in food security and SDG realization.

Eva Rosdiana, Nurul Sjamsijah, Sri Rahayu, Dian Hartati · J-ABDI Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Global

This community engagement activity aimed to promote urban farming as a solution for urban food security and environmental issues. The method involved socializing the benefits and implementation of urban farming to community groups, followed by assisting them in creating a model urban farm. The activity targeted outcomes such as scientific publication and increased community adoption of technology.

Т.В. СТАРИКОВА, R. A. Skachkov, А.И. БЕНКЕЧ, С.П. ПРОКОПОВИЧ · Экономика и предпринимательство · Russia

This article discusses the concept of urban farming as a promising direction for improving food security in the Russian Federation. The authors analyze the current agricultural situation, identify existing food security problems, and propose urban farming as a potential solution.

Raphaela Dias da Rocha Silva, Amanda dos Santos Paulino, Marilua de Carvalho Feitoza, Angélica Oliveira de Souza, Ana Paula Branco do Nascimento · Revista Latino-americana de Ambiente Construído & Sustentabilidade · Brazil (São Paulo)

This study analyzed the cultivation of non-conventional food plants (PANC) in the Colectivo Horta das Flores urban garden in São Paulo, Brazil, and their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Researchers monitored the development of 18 plant species across five beds for six months, finding that six non-spontaneous PANC species and nine spontaneous PANC species performed best. The cultivation of PANC in this urban garden supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Rachael Maysels, Apolinar Figueroa Casas, Juan Diego Otero Sarmiento, Shiomara Mileydi Zuñiga Meneses · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Colombia

This study analyzed the dynamics of the local food system in the Andean region of Cauca, Colombia, and explored how it can be conceptualized as an Alternative Food Network (AFN) within the Global South context. Transdisciplinary research, utilizing SWOT analysis during stakeholder workshops and reflexive thematic analysis, was conducted. Results showed the coexistence of both traditional and conventional food system dynamics; participants valued traditional food systems and agroecological production more, but economic insecurity and socio-political unrest hindered a robust transition from the conventional food system.

Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global

This article discusses the evolution of the concept of food and nutritional security (FNS) internationally, from post-World War II to the COVID-19 crisis, and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to this agenda. Based on a critical literature review, the study notes that institutional responses to FNS often focus on crises and prioritize unsustainable globalized food systems. UPA practices have seen periods of rise and decline, evolving alongside the FNS agenda, and the article concludes by discussing the need to incorporate concepts of justice, global health, and a multidimensional view of sustainability into FNS and UPA discussions.

M. Kühn, Geisa Zanini Rorato, Bruno César Euphrasio de Mello, Carolina Cristófoli Falcão · Ambiente & sociedade · Brazil

This research surveyed federal and state urban agriculture (UA) laws in Brazil to analyze their implications for urban planning (UP). Findings indicate that despite an increase in approved laws, there is no articulated national policy, laws vaguely address UA's interfaces with UP, and they do not objectively tackle territorial challenges faced by UA.

Ester Juliana Sitohang, Ayu Putri Ana, M Reza Alfikri, Dwi Retno Mulyanti, Indah Grasulina Sitohang · Nawadeepa Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community service program implemented in Lubang Buaya Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, in 2023 aimed to promote urban farming using used bottles to strengthen local food security. The program successfully improved participants' knowledge, skills, and insights in hydroponic plant cultivation, stimulated household-scale business development, and contributed to environmental improvement.

Luis Carlos Estupiñán Aponte · Repositorio Institucional UPTC · Global

This project explores urban and peri-urban agriculture as a viable, though not comprehensive, solution to food vulnerability in urban areas, where access to food is often limited by purchasing power. It applies circular economy and agroecological principles, utilizing available resources for garden assembly, processing plant waste into fertilizers, and employing botanical and microbiological controls for phytosanitary management. The initiative emphasizes broad community participation, knowledge exchange, and the creation of social spaces to enhance food and nutrition security.

Susmita Das, Teesha Majumder · · India

This article discusses the concept of "Agritecture" as a potential solution to address food security challenges in urban areas amidst increasing urbanization and declining agricultural land in India. It explores the interactions between agriculture and architecture to support urban necessities and ecosystems. The study suggests exploiting the opportunity in developing physical structures for agricultural output to accelerate urban and rural growth.

Sumaina Duku · Al-Basyar Jurnal Pengembangan Masyarakat Islam · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community assistance program in Bukit Sangkal village, Kalidoni district, Palembang City, aimed to map potential vacant lands for urban farming and suitable commodities for cultivation. The program found that while urban farming has been implemented as a poverty alleviation method in Bukit Sangkal, the utilization of vacant land remains suboptimal, with many residents still disposing of waste indiscriminately. Continued involvement from various parties is needed to provide information and extension services on urban farming and innovation adoption.

Shannon Doocy, Emily Lyles, Robert Kenyi Morjan, Kayla Pfieffer-Mundt, Courtland Robinson, Kevin Savage · Agriculture & Food Security · South Sudan

A prospective cohort study in South Sudan (2019–2021) examined the impact of cash assistance for work in community gardens on food security among 1213 cash-receiving, 582 non-intervention, and 300 later cash-receiving households. The study found no significant differences in changes over time in household hunger, coping strategies, or meal frequency between participants and the comparison group. Cash transfers did not appear to have lasting benefits on food security and livelihoods coping strategy use.

Sandrine Simon · Urban Governance · Portugal (Lisbon)

This study examined urban agricultural initiatives in Lisbon, Portugal, and their integration into urban planning strategies for sustainability, using Design Thinking methodology for a literature review. The integration of urban agriculture into urban planning is identified as a complex problem due to conflicting goals among actors. The research suggests that Design Thinking could assist urban planners in addressing this challenge by providing flexible, iterative, and participatory approaches.

Paige Robillard, Fatih Şekercioğlu, Sara Edge, Ian Young · British Food Journal · Canada

This exploratory qualitative study investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban community gardens (UCGs) in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, through semi-structured interviews with seven managers and eight members of nine gardens. The findings suggest that UCGs helped participants build resilience to pandemic-related stressors by providing cultural ecosystem services. Although participants did not experience food insecurity, they expressed concern about community food security.

David Barkin · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Global

This study contributes to the significance of a growing global movement where millions of people are taking control of their environments, creating "Territories of Life" to strengthen autonomy and produce food using traditional techniques enhanced by agroecology. Indigenous and peasant communities, who inhabit over one-quarter of the world's land and produce about 70% of global food, are restructuring their organizations and governance to control their ancestral territories. This movement has the potential to influence other communities and expand local and regional networks and markets worldwide.

Diego A. Daleccio Meléndez · [in]genio revista de investigación y labor creativa · United States (Puerto Rico)

This publication presents student proposals from a design workshop at UPR's School of Architecture, led by Dr. Anna Georas, focused on promoting urban agriculture and food self-sufficiency in Isla Grande, Puerto Rico. One individual project, RE-VIVIENDA, proposes sustainable housing for urban farmers using abandoned shipping containers from Crowley in Isla Grande. The project emphasizes minimal materials for easy disassembly and reconstruction to extend container lifecycles.

Marcela Palomino‐Schalscha, Maria Teresa Braga Bizarria, Isabella Sánchez‐Bolívar · New Zealand Geographer · New Zealand

This collective autoethnography project explored the experiences of Latin American migrant women of color joining urban agriculture (UA) in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. The research revealed that while UA spaces offer community-building opportunities, they can also reproduce exclusionary practices, particularly towards minority groups. The study highlights experiences of racial oppression within UA settings.

Luíza Malvessi Lagemann, Luciana Turatti, Rodrigo Spinelli · Revista Destaques Acadêmicos · Global

This paper conducted a literature review of architecture and urban planning projects to find alternatives to mitigate problems of the current food system, such as processed foods, reduced access for small producers, and high environmental pollution. Ten projects focusing on urban agriculture and healthier food production were analyzed. Ultimately, it was observed that it is possible to construct architectural and urban planning projects that contribute to more sustainable food production, especially in urban areas and with the use of urban agriculture.

Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global

A critical literature review discussed the evolution of food and nutrition security (FNS) and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). The review found that institutional responses to FNS are concentrated in times of crisis, which favors the maintenance of globalized and unsustainable food systems. UPA practices show peaks of rise and decline, evolving with the FNS agenda.

Claudia J. Ford · · United States

This essay provides a critical historiography of Black women's roles in the food justice movement, using storytelling and historical analysis to amplify their voices. It highlights figures such as Leah Chase, the women of Rise and Root Farm, Barbara Norman, and Edith Floyd, who established Growing Joy Community Gardens. The author positions these Black women as advocates for community food justice and creators of community healing spaces, moving beyond individual healthy lifestyle improvements.