Research & reports

Kimo van Dijk, Lotte Veenemans, Ciska Nienhuis · · Netherlands (Amsterdam)

This report explains the importance of improving sanitation circularity, its link to circular urban food production, and the opportunities and barriers for its realization in Amsterdam. It discusses aspects related to sustainability, environment, quality, agronomy, legislation, health and safety, technology, economics, and awareness. The report provides recommendations for Amsterdam and other cities to stimulate the transition to circular sanitation and nutrient recovery/reuse in urban agriculture, including clarifying legislation and addressing barriers.

Uk-Hyeon Yeo, Sang‐Yeon Lee, Se‐Jun Park, Jun‐Gyu Kim, Jeong-Hwa Cho, Cristina Decano-Valentin, Rack-woo Kim, In-Bok Lee · Agriculture · Global

This study analyzed the energy-saving efficiency of Building-integrated Rooftop Greenhouses (BiRTGs) for urban agriculture using building energy simulations (BES) combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For growing tomatoes, the annual energy load in a BiRTG was 464,673 MJ, representing an average 5.2% reduction compared to a single-span greenhouse (490,128 MJ). Energy savings were observed from October to April due to heat transfer from the building, and implementing alternating air temperature management (ATM) from November to March further reduced heating energy loads, yielding average energy savings of 11.8%.

Anastasia Nikologianni, Alessandro Betta, Mattia Andreola, Angelica Pianegonda, Gian Antonio Battistel, Anna Ternell, Alessandro Gretter · Athens Journal of Sciences · Europe

This paper explores urban farming models and their role in climate change adaptation within urban environments, drawing on the SATURN project's collaboration across Gothenburg (Sweden), Trento (Italy), and Birmingham (UK). It presents Gothenburg's entrepreneurial model, where municipal management leases allotments to farmers to scale businesses and provide sustainable food. Trento combines bottom-up and institutional processes to foster short local supply chains, potentially benefiting from a land lease scheme. Birmingham's model views urban farming primarily as community support for mental health and awareness, rather than an entrepreneurial activity. The research demonstrates how abandoned and underutilized land can be regenerated through these diverse European urban agriculture models.

Noëllie W. Kpoda, Hamidatu S. Darimani, Adama Ouéda, Idrissa Ouédraogo, Gustave B. Kabré · Agricultural Sciences · Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)

This study evaluated the risk of parasitic infection among vegetable producers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, who use polluted water, employing a quantitative microbiological risk assessment method. Protozoa and helminths from 9 species were detected in irrigation water, with Ancylostoma sp. eggs being common and severe across all water types. Contamination risk was higher for groups using raw wastewater than for those using well water, and halved for those using treated wastewater; however, regardless of water type, gardeners had an approximate 9.83 × 10−1 pppy probability of Ancylostoma sp. infection.

W.H Maria Agatha Sri, Trecy Austin, Indah Pusnita · Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia · Indonesia (Palembang)

In Sako Village, Palembang City, urban farming and educational gardens support improved food security as part of the "Kampung Iklim" program, which aims for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The area of RT 98 RW 37 was deemed suitable for urban farming, and an educational garden was implemented as an introduction and example of urban farming.

Noor Atiqah Sanudin, Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Emran Zahrin Mohamad Taram · INTI JOURNAL. · Malaysia

This case study in Port Dickson, Malaysia, aimed to identify potential urban farming locations and suitable approaches, utilizing mapping analysis of green spaces and interviews with experts. The findings recognized multiple urban farming approaches tailored to different site characteristics and contextual forms. The study offers recommendations for a resilient food system, efficient land management, and empowering urban farming knowledge and entrepreneurship.

Bassey Ebenso, Akaninyene Otu, Alessandro Giusti, Philipe Cousin, Victor O. Adetimirin, Hary Razafindralambo, Emmanuel Effa, Vasileios Gkisakis, Ousmane Thiaré, Vincent Levavasseur, Sonagnon Kouhoundé, Kifouli Adéoti, Abdur Rahim, Majid Mounir · Frontiers in Nutrition · Global

This paper argues that adopting a One Health approach to urban agriculture is crucial for significantly increasing food yields and improving quality of life in cities, given global population growth and urbanization trends. It proposes six nature-based and climate-smart approaches, including reducing synthetic inputs and increasing biodiversity, to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems. These approaches require cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable, nutritious, and accessible diets.

Udit Debangshi, Pritam Ghosh, Himanshu Tiwari, Durgesh Kumar Maurya, M. Kumar · International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · India

India's urban population is projected to double by 2050, facing significant threats from climate change impacts such as increased rainfall intensity and temperature fluctuations. This paper discusses mitigation and adaptation strategies like climate-resilient agriculture and rooftop farming, emphasizing urban planning's potential role in developing and implementing adaptive responses.

Rahmad Aji Maulana, Hardi Warsono, Retno Sunu Astuti, Teuku Afrizal · PERSPEKTIF · Indonesia (Semarang)

A qualitative descriptive analysis study was conducted to develop urban agriculture in Semarang City, Indonesia. The study identified diverse potential for urban agriculture in Semarang, including various vegetables, cassava, sugar cane, durian, and mushrooms. It also found that urban agriculture offers environmental, economic, social, health, education, and tourism benefits, and noted that policy instruments through top-down and bottom-up approaches are essential.

Laís Caroline Marianno de Olivera, Gislaine Costa de Mendonça, Renata Cristina Araújo Costa, Regina Aparecida Leite de Camargo, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra · Land Use Policy · Brazil

This study investigated the impacts of 35 years of urban expansion in Brazil's Administrative Region of Ribeirão Preto, linking it to agricultural land loss and environmental consequences. Using Landsat images and GIS, the research found rural area losses exceeding 350 km2, with equivalent production and economic losses of approximately 1.1 Mton/year and 230 MR$/year. Significant environmental impacts included the destruction of over 9100 km of natural watercourses, nearly 630 km2 of Permanent Preservation Areas, and the occupation of Guarani Aquifer recharge areas with impermeable surfaces, affecting approximately 7000 headwaters.

Gordon Prain, Dávid Simon, Jess Halliday, Pay Drechsel · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global South

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in the Global South faces challenges such as limited recognition, land conversion, and water pollution, which threaten its potential for urban resilience. Innovations in urban governance are required to integrate food systems into urban planning through food mapping and multisectoral platforms.

Phil Nichols, Sara Heitlinger · interactions · United Kingdom (London)

Spitalfields City Farm, an urban farm in Inner East London, has served as a site for participatory design collaborations with researcher Sara Heitlinger for over 10 years. This article presents an exchange of views between Heitlinger and farm manager Phil Nichols regarding the farm's work and their ongoing collaboration in the context of social and environmental sustainability.

Neneng Nurlaela Arief, Melia Famiola, Andika Putra Pratama, Prameshwara Anggahegari, Aghnia Nadhira Aliya Putri · Sustainability · Indonesia (Bandung)

This study examined the effectiveness of bio-based experiential learning in raising environmental awareness among 74 students (ages 9-11) in Bandung, Indonesia, using participatory action research and storytelling. The program provided valuable education on urban farming, environmental awareness, and social responsibility. The outcome demonstrated that this communication approach is effective.

Andrea Valencia, Jiangxiao Qiu, Ni‐Bin Chang · Ecological Indicators · United States (Miami)

This study focused on food security within an urban agriculture network in the greater Miami metropolitan area, United States. Considering existing governance structures, sustainability indices were quantified for clustering urban agricultural sites (UASs) and identifying cluster priorities based on vulnerability or risk levels using multicriteria decision-making. Eight clusters were selected for visualizing UASs ranked by multicriteria decision-making under governance scenarios prioritized for climate change, social equity, and economic development impacts, highlighting the role of governance structure in incentive programs for enhancing overall UAS sustainability performance.

Barbara Schröter, Mario Brillinger, Sarah Gottwald, Paulina Guerrero, Jennifer Henze, Edward Ott, Stefan Schmidt, Christian Albert · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global

This article introduces the concept of nature-based solutions as a way to address societal problems such as climate and biodiversity crises. It explains how reconnecting floodplains can reduce flood risks, protecting wetlands or mangroves can store carbon, and planting trees or installing rooftop gardens can cool cities. The article emphasizes understanding how to work with nature and the practical steps for implementing these solutions.

Jerome Wei Chiang Teng, Chew Beng Soh, Shiddalingeshwar Channabasappa Devihosur, Ryan Hong Soon Tay, Steve Kardinal Jusuf · Sustainability · Global

This study investigated the effects of agrivoltaic systems on rooftop microclimates and PV efficiency. ENVI-met simulations showed that PV temperatures in plots with crops below the PV system were 2.83 °C lower on sunny days and 0.71 °C lower on cloudy days, leading to a 1.13–1.42% and 0.28–0.35% improvement in PV efficiency, respectively. Data from a physical prototype indicated that evaporative cooling reduced ambient temperatures, with the agrivoltaic system generating 3.05–3.2% more energy daily compared to a control without crops.

Nicholaus Mwageni, Gabriel Kassenga · Journal of Sustainable Development · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam City)

This study in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania, assessed the costs and benefits associated with green space investment in residential plots. It employed in-depth interviews using structured questionnaires and document review. Results indicated that households incurred an average cost of TZS 136,579 (USD 59) for establishing home greenery. The total net monetary benefit per household was TZS 3,148,827 (USD 1,369) annually. Based on a cost-benefit analysis, the benefit was found to be 2.6 times the investment cost, suggesting that maintaining home greeneries is a cost-effective investment.

Alexandra Rodríguez, David Jácome-Polit, Alain Santandreu, Denisse Paredes, Nataly Pinto Álvaro · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Ecuador

This article reviews the history and achievements of the Participatory Urban Agriculture Project (AGRUPAR) in Quito, Ecuador, which has promoted urban agriculture for nearly 20 years. The Municipality of Quito is now implementing public food policies to strengthen the city's food security and resilience, moving beyond just urban agricultural production. The authors hypothesize that cities establishing urban agricultural programs are better positioned to implement food policies for resilience and sustainable urban development, though additional progress is needed to fully integrate urban agriculture into city-scale policy.

Kinanti Safirtri, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Budhi Gunawan, Yusep Suparman, Parikesit Parikesit · The Qualitative Report · Indonesia

A qualitative study with 27 export-scale urban farmers in Bandung Metropolitan investigated market pressures to meet international food standards. While intended to encourage environmentally friendly practices, farmers interpreted the implementation of international food standards as an administrative formality for export requirements, rather than a critical reflection on environmental problems from intensive agricultural practices. Consequently, market pressure from international food standards was found to be paradoxical and ineffective in fostering farmers' environmental responsibility.

Nurhanis Abdullah, Muhammad Hasan, Muhammad Rakib · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Pangkajene Kepulauan · Indonesia (Makassar)

This qualitative explanatory study explored the potential of urban agriculture to contribute to sustainable urban development, using KWT Anggrek in Bara-Barayya District, Makassar City, Indonesia, as a case study. Makassar City is suitable for developing wetland, semi-wetland, horticultural, monthly, and seasonal crops by utilizing limited urban land. The findings indicate that urban agriculture is an important component that needs to be well-implemented to achieve sustainable and environmentally conscious urban development.

Friederike Well, Ferdinand Ludwig · Land · Germany (Munich)

A design strategy for blue-green architecture (BGA) was applied and evaluated in a practical project at a school garden in Munich, Germany. Architecture and landscape architecture students designed and implemented a BGA, building a nature-based system where school garden greywater is treated in a constructed wetland and combined with rainwater to feed a redesigned pond. This increased biodiversity, contributed to the environmental education of pupils, and demonstrated high learning success for the students.

Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · International journal on food system dynamics · Norway (Oslo)

This study conducted a contingent valuation survey in Oslo, Norway, to assess citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for non-commercial (community gardens, educational gardens) and commercial (aquaponics, vertical farming) urban agriculture. The results indicate that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to support the further development of urban farming in the city.

Ranjan Datta, Jean Kayira, Prarthona Datta · · Global

This chapter explores how land-based environmental education fosters cross-cultural, community-led climate change resilience, especially for children and youth. Focusing on a relational approach in a cross-cultural community garden, the authors investigated how land-based learning builds community connectedness and revitalizes knowledge, languages, and practices. The study found that this approach creates an intercultural and intergenerational space to address climate change challenges and celebrate successes.

Margaret Marcy Emerson · Digital Commons - LIU Promoting Scholarship and Creative Work of LIU Students, Faculty, and Staff (Long Island University) · United States

In 2019, an estimated 35% of all food was lost or wasted in the U.S., and organic waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting significantly cuts the amount of food going into landfills, reducing climate and environmental impacts. Compost enhances soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, improves soil water retention, provides carbon sequestration, and local composting conserves energy and reduces transport emissions.

Ee-Wei Then, Meenchee Hong · Journal of Regional and City Planning · Malaysia (Penang Island)

This study investigated the likelihood of rooftop farming and its determinants among residents on Penang Island, Malaysia. Data collected from 323 Penangites living in high-rise residential buildings revealed that 65% of respondents were likely to participate in rooftop farming. The ordered Probit model estimated that awareness of rooftop farming's potential benefits, environmental knowledge and awareness, and environmental consciousness and perception are important factors determining participation likelihood.