Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3623 results(39 / 145)
From Planetary Core to the High Seas
2024Mary Mattingly · Intellect eBooks · Global
This essay shares two research practices stemming from the author's seven-year engagement with extractive supply chains for specific objects. Swale is a floating food forest that uses the common law of the waterways as a loophole to do what was illegal on common land, highlighting governance challenges within existing systems.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityUrban–rural linkageWater Spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) Hydroponic Kratky System at Various Levels of PbSO4 Contamination
2024Nyayu Khodijah, Ratna Santi, Riwan Kusmiadi, Ivan Rismunandar · Jurnal Agritech · Global
This research investigated the effect of nutrient type and lead (Pb) absorption on water spinach growth in a Kratky hydroponic system over 30 days. Plants were exposed to PbSO4 concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L, with standard hydroponic (ABmix) and alternative nutrients. The study found that nutrient type significantly affected most growth parameters, with ABmix performing better than alternative nutrients. Crucially, no growth disturbance was observed due to PbSO4 contamination, and the combination of Pb concentration and nutrient type did not significantly affect growth or production, except for the number of leaves.
Contamination & food safetyHealthDigital agricultureThe Level of Knowledge of Year 6 Students Regarding Urban Farming Through a Hydroponics Questionnaire
2024Nurul Ain Zafirah Nor Aizi, Kamisah Osman · International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · Malaysia
This study evaluated the hydroponics knowledge of 200 Year 6 primary school students in Malaysia, with 100 from an urban school in Kuala Lumpur and 100 from a rural school in Negeri Sembilan. Using a 10-item Likert-scale questionnaire, urban students scored slightly higher (min = 2.97) than rural students (min = 2.70), indicating a comparable knowledge level. No significant correlation was found between hydroponic knowledge and parents' socioeconomic status.
Food educationUrban–rural linkagePrincipais problemas da agricultura urbana e pontos de alavancagem
2024Juan Camilo Fontalvo Buelvas, Maria Teresa Pulido Silva, Miguel Ángel Escalona Aguilar · Magazine Portal Bibliotech Digital (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) · Global
This bibliographic review identified the main problems of urban agriculture and actions for sustainability. The study found that the primary deficiencies in urban agriculture are inadequate management practices, a lack of organization, and absent or inefficient public policies. Key leverage points for change include agroecology, policies for land access and sustainable financing, and dissemination processes.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWellness Urban Design Strategies
2024Phillip James Tabb, Lahra Tatriele · · Global
This chapter presents specific physical design strategies for wellness at urban planning and design scales, offering principles for human wellness, environmental benefits, and implementation opportunities. It covers a broad range of design principles, strategies, and approaches applicable from city planning to neighborhoods, including renewable infrastructure and urban agriculture. Concepts such as climate responsiveness, land use diversity, and community-based design are addressed.
PolicyHealthCommunitySupervivencia y Productividad de Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) en Torres Hidropónicas Artesanales
2024Dennis Guerra-Centeno, Paula Guerra-Burmester, Carlos Valdéz-Sandoval, Alfredo Gómez-Chacón, Sayra Pérez-Julián, Jackeline Marisol Noriega-Huertas, Ligia Vanessa Rios · Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar · Global
This 10-week study evaluated the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in two artisanal hydroponic towers, measuring survival, growth, biomass production, and light incidence effects. Survival was 97%. Final average heights were 40.6 cm in the upper stratum and 29.8 cm in the lower stratum, with significant differences from the second week (p < .001). Final average plant weight was 12.55 g in the upper stratum and 5.35 g in the lower, but no significant difference in average weights between strata was found (U = 212, p = 0.754). Total biomass production was 358 g, equivalent to 1.33 kg/m2.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceFood miles & supply chainSoil Organic Transformations in Urban Agricultural Systems: Application of a Neutrosophic Multicriteria Approach for Comprehensive Evaluation
2024Paolo Paolo · International Journal of Neutrosophic Science · Global
This study used a neutrosophic multi-criteria approach to evaluate the impact of biostimulants and organic additives on soil quality, plant growth, and crop yields in urban agriculture. Biofertilizers like Chromococcus and Azotobacter improved nutrient availability and plant health, while mineral additives like zeolites enhanced soil fertility. Three scenarios were analyzed: one showed exceptional plant growth and high sustainability (Very Very High), another highlighted challenges in vegetative growth and sustainability (Low), and a third combined good plant growth with high sustainability and climate change mitigation (Medium High).
Organic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCan vermicompost mitigate water stress & pest pressure on zucchini?
2024Zzimbe, Adrian, Fuoss, Kylie, Armas, Joelle, Blubaugh, Carmen · SPARK Scholarship at Parkland (Parkland College) · Global
This experiment examines how water stress and vermicompost interactively shape pest attraction in urban agriculture, which faces challenges like water access and pest pressure. Vermicompost is hypothesized to mitigate water stress by enhancing organic matter and humic acids to improve water retention, and to relieve pest pressure by enhancing plant defensive chemistry.
CompostOrganic cycleClimate changeUrbane Gärten zwischen Graswurzelbewegung und Klimakrisenpolitik
2024Andrea Baier, Christa Müller, Karin Werner · Neue Ökologie · Global
This study discussed the significance of the new urban garden movement for sustainable urban restructuring, focusing on community garden practices over the past two decades. It examined how the movement is integrated into the governance of urban climate crisis policies, how it utilizes this framework, and to what extent the autonomy of gardens as free spaces and commons can be maintained under these circumstances. The findings suggest that the autonomy of urban gardens may be difficult to maintain when integrated into climate crisis policy governance.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceKajian literatur: Pertanian perkotaan sebagai penyedia jasa ekosistem dalam tujuan pembangunan berkelanjutan
2024Assyifa Fauzia · Journal of Critical Ecology. · Global
This literature review analyzed the role of urban agriculture as an ecosystem service provider within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Urban agriculture in developing countries was found to be adopted as a solution to address poverty and improve the welfare of urban populations, applicable to all SDGs except ocean ecosystems. Urban agriculture contributes to social indicators like employment, food provision, community welfare, education, women's roles, and community forms; economic indicators such as market food reach, job status, land ownership, food subsidies, and credit access; and environmental indicators including water storage, land use, emission reduction, microclimate regulation, and biodiversity.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsCommunityWhere the wild things are: How urban foraging and food forests can contribute to sustainable cities in the Global North
2024Filippo Oncini, Steffen Hirth, Josephine Mylan, Clare H. Robinson, David Johnson · Urban forestry & urban greening · Global North
This review evaluates the contribution of urban food forestry in the Global North to socio-ecological outcomes across climate change, biodiversity, food production, and relational aspects. The findings demonstrate multifactorial benefits of urban foraging and food forestry, but also identify potential risks and disservices from the literature. The study concludes that upscaling these spaces offers significant gains, requiring systemic changes.
Food sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityClimate changeCommunitySeasonal variations in irrigation water quality induce differential physiological and biochemical responses in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
2024Lubna Taj, Tahira Yasmeen, Waqas Haidar, Qasim Ali, Muhammad Arif · Soil & Environment · Pakistan
A two-year study (2016-2017) in Pakistan's peri-urban agricultural areas investigated the impact of seasonal variations in wastewater irrigation on sugarcane. Sugarcane irrigated with wastewater showed increased antioxidant activities compared to freshwater-irrigated plants, suggesting biochemical adjustments to contaminants. Significant seasonal differences in plant mineral content were also observed, indicating that wastewater irrigation can alter plant physiology and affect agricultural output.
Organic cyclePeri-urban agricultureHealthRecommendation system using bio-inspired algorithms for urban orchards
2024J. V., Juan M. Corchado, Diana M. Giraldo, Sara Rodríguez-González, Fernando De la Prieta · Internet of Things · Global
This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for monitoring urban gardens, aiming to mitigate hunger and promote food sovereignty. The platform includes a social design layer for knowledge transfer and a recommendation system based on evolutionary computation to optimize urban orchard productivity. Experiments in urban gardens validated the models, showing an increase in urban lettuce orchard productivity between 25% and 45%.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityDigital agricultureClimate changeMechanism and model of comprehensive land consolidation promoting urban-rural integration in peri-urban from the perspective of symbiosis theory
2024Xiu-li LUO, Xiaobin Jin, Xiaojie Liu, Su-shu ZHANG, Su-chen YING, Yinkang Zhou · 自然资源学报 · Global
This study, based on symbiosis theory, proposes a mechanism and model of comprehensive land consolidation to promote integrated urban and rural development in peri-urban areas. It showed that main obstacles to symbiotic peri-urban systems are non-equilibrium development in symbiotic units, unequal mobility of elements in the symbiotic environment, and asymmetry and non-reciprocity of symbiotic models. Comprehensive land consolidation reshapes the symbiotic environment through element flow, reconstructs symbiotic units through spatial reconstruction, and drives the symbiotic model through functional promotion, leading to symmetric and reciprocal benefits in urban-rural systems.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureآليات مقترحة للتغلب علي معوقات الدور التربوي لمدارس التعليم المجتمعي في ضوء بعض الاتجاهات المعاصرة " دراسة تحليلية "
2024كريمة على حسن محمد, سوزان يوسف أبو الفضل, عزه أحمد صادق على · Journal of Educational Sciences - Qena Faculty of Education · Global
A study using a descriptive approach identified obstacles to the educational role of community education schools. Findings revealed obstacles across educational (e.g., low student achievement), social (e.g., low encouragement of community initiatives), cultural (e.g., low cultural level of staff), technological (e.g., lack of computer teachers), economic (e.g., weak family economic level), health (e.g., weak attention to a healthy school environment), and recreational roles (e.g., lack of school gardens).
Governance failureFood educationCommunityHealthLife cycle assessment to evaluate the sustainability of urban agriculture: opportunities and challenges
2024Lena Katharina Mietz, Bárbara Civit, Alejandro Pablo Arena · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This review focuses on the present state and methodology of life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the sustainability of urban agriculture. It notes that while urban agriculture is seen as a potential alternative for a resilient food system, existing case studies are mostly incomplete and lack diversity. Further research is needed, especially the integration of social and economic perspectives, to achieve a comprehensive scientific understanding.
Methodological critiqueClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsTechnology adoption model for smart urban farming-a proposed conceptual model
2024Amirul Asyraf Zhahir, Mohd Ilias M Shuhud, Siti Munirah Mohd, S.K. Kamarudin, Azuan Ahmad, Rossly Salleh, Norita Md Norwawi · Computer Science and Information Technologies · Global
This study proposes a conceptual model for technology adoption in smart urban farming, building upon a previous systematic literature review. The model is founded on Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and incorporates factors from other technology adoption models. The research aims to provide insights into the components influencing technology adoption in smart urban farming, offering a framework for future studies and applications.
Digital agriculturePolicyEconomicsDesign knowledge of urban agriculture providing ecosystem services. A systematic literature review
2024Yu Huan, Steffen Nijhuis, Nico Tillie · Urban forestry & urban greening · Global
This systematic literature review analyzed 70 empirical research articles on urban agriculture, ecosystem services, and design research to identify gaps in design knowledge. The review found that while "research for design" is prevalent and offers abundant design knowledge, the infrequent use of "research through design" hinders the transition from implicit to explicit design knowledge, leading to a shortage of operational guidelines. The study proposes a framework for systematic design knowledge of urban agriculture to address these gaps and facilitate knowledge transformation.
BiodiversityClimate changeEnhancing Public Open Spaces: Exploring the Interplay of Perception, Safety and Security
2024Mayank Kaushal · · Global
This study investigates the relationship between urban form, perceptions of safety and security, and their influence on the utilization of public open spaces, including community gardens. It employs qualitative and quantitative methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, and observational analysis, to collect data on individuals' perceptions, experiences, and usage patterns. The research explores factors contributing to perceived safety and security and investigates strategies like urban design modifications and community engagement to improve these perceptions and enhance urban livability.
CommunityHealthPolicyNutritional Quality of Vegetables From Malaysian Urban Community Farming
2024Mohd Nazrul Hisham Daud, Mohd Lip Jabit, Norhasni Ramli, Nur Syafini Ghazali, Joanna Cho Lee Ying, Azirah Omar · Bioresources and Environment · Malaysia
This study evaluated the nutritional quality of various vegetables from established Malaysian urban community farming. Analysis measured sugar content, gross energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, and twelve minerals (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn) using HPLC, calorimeter bomb analyzer, and ICP-OES. Results showed all vegetables contained at least two common sugars, with five possessing all targeted sugars, and gross energy ranged from 2900 to 3800 joule/g. Pak choy and sawi exhibited the highest vitamin A and C content respectively, while spinach showed the largest number of highest mineral types including boron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
HealthCommunityEconomicsA Polycentric Vision for Governing the Urban Food Commons
2024Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah · Urban agriculture · Global
This chapter examines alternative governance visions for urban agriculture, or urban food commons (UFCs), through the lens of polycentric governance. It argues that UFCs require a mix of institutional arrangements, including centralized, decentralized, market, cooperative, and command-and-control models, rather than a single approach. Four institutional design parameters are outlined to guide this polycentric vision: multiple decision centers, cross-scale and cross-sector interactions, an overarching rule system, and rule adaptability, exemplified by Chicago's NeighborSpace.
PolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceIdentifying Key Benefits and Characteristics of Community Gardening for Vulnerable Populations: A Systematic Review
2023Tracey D., Gray T., Sweeting J., Kingsley J., Bailey A., Pettitt P. · Health & Social Care in the Community (Wiley/Hindawi), 2023:5570089 · Global
The first systematic review to summarize the benefits of community gardening for vulnerable populations such as low-socioeconomic-status and culturally diverse groups. Analyzing 33 studies, it finds social connection, health, education, and nutrition to be the most frequently reported benefits, supporting social inclusion and welfare.
WelfareCommunityHealthFood educationPotential Policy and Community Implications of Equitable Organic Waste, Compost, and Urban Agricultural Systems in the United States
2023Hall S.M., Tikku V., Heiger-Bernays W.J. · Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(11):115001 · Global
Examines equity and safety in urban organic-waste cycling through a case study of waste-to-compost activities and legislation in four US cities. It warns that contaminants such as pesticides, lead, and PFAS and inconsistent regulation can worsen racial inequities in access to urban farmland and safe compost, and recommends justice-oriented policy with multilingual education and proper waste disposal.
CompostOrganic cyclePolicyFood lossCommunityThe role of green roofs as urban habitats for biodiversity modulated by their design: a review
2023Coulibaly S.F.M., Aubry C., Provent F., Rousset-Rouvière S., Joimel S. · Environmental Research Letters, 18(7) · Global
A review synthesizing existing research on how far green roofs can support urban biodiversity, framed by their design and modes of use. It finds green roofs can provide habitat for soil organisms and pollinators as well as plants, but that the effect depends strongly on design such as substrate depth and vegetation diversity, and recommends integrating soil communities into construction guidelines and increasing heterogeneity at roof and landscape scales.
BiodiversityPolicyOrganic cycleAssessing five decades of garden bee studies
2023Bell N.C.S., Ascher J.S., Hayes J.J.-M., Langellotto G.A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 5:1102360 · Global
A systematic review covering roughly five decades of bee research in urban and community gardens, analyzing 227 publications through early 2022. It clarifies the potential of gardens to support diverse bee communities, the role of citizen-tended green spaces in pollinator conservation, and existing research gaps, pointing toward future directions for urban pollinator conservation and participatory monitoring.
BiodiversityCommunityPolicy