Research & reports

Reni Nurjasmi, Siti M. Sholihah, Suryani Suryani, Luluk Syahr Banu, Maria Aditia Wahyuningrum · Jurnal Pelayanan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat (Pamas) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community outreach program at RPTRA Bambu Petung in the Bambu Apus urban village, Cipayung district, East Jakarta, Indonesia, trained 20 members of the Bambu Apus Cipayung farmer group (Poktan) using pre- and post-tests alongside lectures, discussion and hands-on demonstration, covering hydroponic cultivation in basins, onion cultivation in polybags and polyculture vegetable cultivation in polybags. Before the activity, participants already had knowledge of urban farming and some already practiced polybag cultivation at home (growing ornamental plants, vegetables and family medicinal plants), though only in their spare time. Afterward, participants reported gaining more knowledge of urban farming techniques, including simple technologies, and expressed enthusiasm for applying them at home and sharing the results with neighbors.

C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group · C40 Cities · China

This case study describes how Chengdu's Xingrong community converted an unused rooftop space into a vegetable garden in 2014. The project uses three environmentally friendly methods—rainwater irrigation, food-waste composting, and natural pest control—with 23 of more than 50 households participating in shared cultivation and harvest distribution.

Camille Frazier · Journal of Political Ecology · India (Bengaluru)

This article examines the motivations and practices of organic terrace gardeners (OTGians) in Bengaluru, India, who grow food in private spaces. While OTGians successfully create a vibrant community driven by food safety and environmental concerns, their efforts are limited to the middle class due to class-specific concerns and production practices. The study highlights that urban gardening in this context remains an intervention primarily for the middle class.

박상희, 우은희, 황경미, 제의숙 · 인간식물환경학회 학술대회 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study investigated the current operational status of rooftop gardens in Seoul, South Korea. It aimed to present the situation of rooftop gardens across the 25 districts of Seoul, as the city expands various urban agriculture projects.

Evelyne Riandini · Biota · Indonesia

This study investigated the diversity and phylogeny of bananas (Musaceae) in Bengkulu City, Indonesia, across three districts. Researchers collected 22 specimens representing 10 varieties from wild and cultivated plants in home yards and community gardens. Morphological analysis revealed two main phylogenetic groups: Musa acuminata Colla and Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana, with similarity coefficients between 0.45 and 0.60.

In-Kyoung Hong, Young Chae, Yoonah Jang, Sangmi Lee, Jung Nam Su · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

A study in South Korea surveyed 115 urban citizens to analyze urban agriculture's effects based on income level, identifying socially sustainable, negative, and economically sustainable factors. Findings showed psychological stability, connection with nature, and local agricultural vitalization correlated significantly with income level. However, the negative effect of urban agriculture showed no significant correlation with income level.

Jooseok 오주석Oh, Byunghak 민병학Min, Jungmin 최정민Choi, Seiyong 김세용Kim · 대한건축학회논문집 계획계 · South Korea

This study compared community gardener participation in general and public lease apartment complexes in South Korea, using interviews and statistical research with 319 participants. Results showed statistically significant differences in satisfaction and continuous participation between the two apartment types. Overall, female participation, public assistance, plot area, and exchange effectiveness were found to enhance continuous participation in community gardens.

장인수, 서동주, 김홍석 · 지역연구 · South Korea

This study in South Korea explored ways to revitalize urban agriculture based on empirical analysis of experience and subjective perceptions, defining its main functions as enhancing ecological, landscape, and participation values. Survey results showed that exposure to urban agriculture information was higher in large cities, and participation experience was higher with larger residential spaces. While positive responses were high for urban agriculture's functions, negative responses were high regarding perceptions of the surrounding residential environment.

Kanhaiya Sapkota · Tribhuvan University Journal · Asia

This study, based on a survey of 105 households in the Kangeshwori-Manohara low-lying Area, aimed to analyze contradictions and the interface between scientific and local knowledge on urban agriculture. Farmers transitioned from traditional to intensive, market-oriented agriculture, adopting a wider range of improved farming techniques for economically viable and sustainable production, indicating some link between scientific and indigenous knowledge.

Lenny Prastiwi, Diana Vivanti Sigit, Agung Sedayu · Biosfer · Indonesia (Tangerang)

This quantitative correlational study, conducted in May 2015 at SMAN 4 Tangerang and SMAN 5 Tangerang, Indonesia, investigated the relationship between students' perceptions of school gardens and their attitudes towards school environmental management. Using simple random sampling, 214 eleventh-grade students who used school gardens as learning resources were surveyed. The study found a positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.715) between students' perceptions of school gardens and their attitudes towards school environmental management, with perceptions contributing 51.1% to the attitude.

Adi Firmansyah · · Indonesia (Bekasi)

A qualitative descriptive study in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, investigated the impact of an organic urban farming program initiated by PT. Pertamina EP Tambun Field on agricultural behavior and institutionalization. The program led to changes in farming techniques from conventional to organic, and shifts in actor interactions, rules, values, norms, and resource management. These changes fostered institutionalization, strengthening the social, economic, and ecological benefits of organic farming.

Jong-woo Kim · · South Korea

This study analyzed domestic and international trends in agriculture and dietary education through a literature review. The findings suggest a need for programs that cultivate awareness of agriculture's link to food, integrate school gardens with dietary habits due to their proven effectiveness in improving eating habits, and develop diverse, locally appropriate agricultural and dietary education programs.

Jung‐Min Choi, Yuna Kim, Dong‐Chan Park · Residential Environment Institute Of Korea · South Korea

This study explored the concept and desirable direction for Korean community gardens through Japanese case studies, semantic network analysis, field investigations, and an expert questionnaire survey. Semantic network analysis revealed that urban agriculture keywords focused on cultivation and economic effects, while community garden keywords centered on residents, exchanges, and community formation, suggesting a need for clear definitions. The study proposed a broad definition of Korean community gardens as vegetable gardening, categorizing them into four types: neighborhood, unused land utilization, housing complex, and foothold connection. A narrow definition, centered on horticulture, introduced the 'Nuri garden' with four sub-types: Nuri Participation, Nuri Sharing, Nuri Sympathy, and Nuri Loan garden. Expert surveys indicated a preference for joint cultivation types within residential areas, within walking distance, and with open designs.

E S Iriani · · Indonesia (Malang)

This research used a deep interview method with Kampung 3G's management in Blimbing, Malang, Indonesia, to study its transformation from a flood-prone slum to an educational vacation village over five years. The study found that strict policy implementation, including punishments for policy breaches, and citizen engagement in programs like urban farming, led to environmental improvements and changes in citizen character. These changes upgraded citizen income through the emergence of micro-small-medium businesses, and Kampung 3G's programs became a reference for other areas, earning it multiple awards.

Piyapong Boossabong · Amsterdam University Press eBooks · Thailand (Bangkok)

In Bangkok, most vegetables consumed in the city are transported from remote rural areas and contaminated with chemicals. Governmental policies have failed to control chemical use, while monopolistic food corporations constrain the sustainability of local food systems. This chapter highlights the collaboration of urban farming networks in Bangkok that aim to produce alternative food sources and create alternative markets, arguing that these networks can construct alternative urban spaces for social action.

Wildani Pingkan S. Hamzens, Meidy Widayanto Moestopo · Jurnal Pengembangan Kota · Indonesia (Palu)

This survey identified necessary efforts for developing urban agriculture potential in the Palu River area, Palu City, Indonesia, a location considered suitable for urban agriculture due to the city's green city aspirations and potential population increase from a Special Economic Zone. Based on observational data and descriptive analysis, the study found that efforts should include land consolidation, activity type determination, recruitment and human resource development, infrastructure and facility preparation, and sustainable management.

Nurlina Subair, Risma Haris · Seminar Nasional Hasil Penelitian & Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (SNP2M) · Indonesia (Makassar)

This qualitative descriptive study in Bongaya Village, Makassar, Indonesia, examined community participation in the "Garden Lorong" program, which integrates green open space management with urban agriculture. The research found that the community actively participates in organizing and maintaining green open spaces in alleys, demonstrating enthusiastic engagement in cleaning and greening efforts. This active role extends to spatial planning and controlling space utilization.

Nanik Furoidah, Muhammad Juhan · Prosiding Semnas PPM 2018 · Indonesia

This PKM activity aimed to empower PKK groups in RT 45 and RT 46, Dawuhan Lor Village, Sukodono, Lumajang, through urban farming to achieve economic productivity and family food security. The program provided soft skill training in urban farming, hydroponics, and portable cultivation, resulting in an approximately 80% increase in partners' urban farming knowledge, an approximately 80% increase in portable agriculture and composting skills, and a 40% increase in hydroponic skills. Consequently, about 15% of family fresh food needs could be met through self-cultivation, and family food security cadres capable of initiating sustainable urban farming activities were formed.

B. Lee, Seong-Woo Nam, Young-Hyeon Kim · Journal of the Urban Design Institute of Korea Urban Design · South Korea

This study aimed to establish concepts for introducing smart city facilities in existing urban areas and systematic maintenance plans for smartifying existing urban facilities in Gamcheon2-Dong, Busan, South Korea. Based on field surveys and resident demand surveys, it proposed smartification and networking of facilities connecting public spaces, and smartification of public/welfare facilities and resident-led projects like urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and promote profitable ventures. Legal improvements were also suggested, including exceptions to area regulations and modularization of smart city facilities, to facilitate their integration with urban regeneration projects.

Huahua Zou, Hai Long Yu · Rikkyo University academic repository (Rikko Roots) (Rikkyo University) · China (Shanghai)

The Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden in Shanghai illustrates the shift in urban regeneration from capital-driven space production to community empowerment. By offering natural education and gardening methods to children, this garden brings urban people back to a walking-friendly world, creates a user-centric space, reinstates residents' power to shape and improve their living space, and rebuilds bonds among community members.

I-Jin Choi, J.J. Lee, Sang Tae Cho, Yoon Ah Jang, Joo Nyung Heo · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea (Seoul)

This study surveyed 599 elementary schools in Seoul, South Korea, finding that 161 schools operated school gardens with a total area of 65,493m2, averaging 363m2 per school. The primary difficulty in operating these gardens was management (34.2%), and the most needed elements for sustainable operation were physical environment improvement and hiring paid garden staff (each 32%). The main purpose of school gardening was creating educational environments (81.6%), and all schools reported positive educational impacts.

Hari Iswoyo, Katriani Mantja, Nuniek Widiayani, Rahmansyah Dermawan · Jurnal Dinamika Pengabdian (JDP) · Indonesia (Makassar)

This paper describes an urban farming initiative in Makassar, Indonesia, aimed at empowering two schools, SMPN 4 and SMAN 17, to utilize school land for productive cultivation. The project transferred knowledge and skills in urban farming technologies, including those for limited spaces, to support food self-sufficiency. Methods included socialization on land utilization potential and participatory activities involving students in creating urban farming devices and practicing land management.

Kyoungjin Lee, Junghan Sung · Journal of East Asian Landscape Studies · South Korea

In 2018, Yesan-gun implemented a "Village Community Garden Project" at Sapti Park, Yesan-eup, using a design charrette method. This study describes the design process, from planning to construction, demonstrating how residents' opinions were incorporated into the design drawings for the community garden. The project aimed to advance user-participation design methods and examine the role of storytelling in transforming community garden plans.

김경미 · 교육인류학연구 · South Korea

This study investigated the educational implications of Nurpurum School, a 12-year alternative school pursuing the value of "transition," through a case study. Participant observation, interviews, and local data collection revealed that after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the school restructured its curriculum around the theme of "ecological transition in education," implementing a "Transition Village Project" focused on urban agriculture and appropriate technology. This education was concluded to shift meaning from "made" education to "making" education, from teacher-centered to co-teaching and learning relationships, and from competition to education for coexistence and symbiosis.

Henny Sri Mulyani, Herlina Agustin · Journal Acta Diurna · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This descriptive qualitative study in Surabaya, Indonesia, investigated the communication media used for socializing urban farming programs to poor families across 31 sub-districts. The research found that the Surabaya City Agriculture Office did not use mass media, instead relying on direct, interpersonal communication and technical guidance from facilitators. Messages focused on cultivating short-harvest vegetables in narrow yard spaces to support household food security and increase green spaces.