Research & reports

Begum M.S., Bala S.K., Islam A.K.M.S., Roy D. · Sustainability (MDPI), 13(16):9053 · Asia

Compares an experimental agricultural rooftop with bare roofs, measuring microclimate parameters including air, surface, and indoor temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide. It shows that rooftop agriculture can mitigate urban microclimate change and supply fresh vegetables while delivering environmental and socioeconomic benefits to city dwellers.

Shao H., Hill R., Xue D., Yang J. · Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 17: Article 56 · China

Documents how Wa ethnic homegardens in Yunnan harbor traditional vegetable germplasm diversity through local culture, traditional knowledge, and seed conservation and sharing systems that maintain in situ agrobiodiversity.

Ali M.S., Arifin H.S., Nurhayati N. · Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity · Indonesia (West Java)

This study finds that increasing urbanisation across West Java significantly reduces the area, species diversity, and ecological functions of traditional pekarangan homegardens, threatening both biodiversity and the cultural practice of subsistence home gardening. Sites across Bogor District, Bogor City, and Cianjur District were compared along an urban–rural gradient.

黄甘霖 HUA Yeyu 华野毓 · Acta Ecologica Sinica · China (Beijing)

Ecosystem services from peri-urban organic farms in Beijing, China, were evaluated as of 2019. It was found that there were 271 organic farms in the suburbs of Beijing, covering a planting area of 10,900 hectares, accounting for 5.1% of the arable land in Beijing. Provision services were valued at 1.612 billion Yuan, regulation services (soil carbon sequestration) at 21.4 million Yuan, and cultural services (picking, farmers' markets, education activities) at 118.9 million Yuan. Organic farms also reduced energy use and emissions compared to conventional farms of the same area.

Fetty Dwi Rahmayanti, Tungga Buana Diana · AGRO TATANEN | Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian · Indonesia

This descriptive qualitative study describes the existing state of the experimental garden at the Faculty of Agriculture, Borobudur University, Indonesia. The garden is used for learning, research, and reforestation, with efforts to expand plant collections and preserve rare species. In line with government programs for utilizing narrow land, the faculty applies urban farming methods such as tabulampot, polybag, and hydroponic planting techniques. Data was collected from primary field observations and secondary literature.

Fulgentius Rodney, Joko Priyono · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia

This project in the West BSD area of Indonesia aims to reduce community stress and provide new green spaces in a future CBD area with limited green infrastructure. It proposes a self-sustaining urban farming model where residents grow, care for, and harvest crops for sale or restaurant use, with seeds replanted for new yields. The "Back To Nature: Community Garden" project applies biophilic design to create communal spaces for activities like planting, working, and gathering, fostering interaction among people and with nature.

Hoda Fakour, Shang‐Lien Lo, Nathan Thadeo Yoashi, Angelbetter Marselian Massao, Nelson Naboth Lema, Fezile Bethusile Mkhontfo, Patrick Chris Jomalema, Nasra Shabani Jumanne, Bright Hubert Mbuya, James Travor Mtweve, Moslem Imani · Agriculture · Taiwan (Tainan)

A study in Tainan city farms, Taiwan, quantified and analyzed microplastics (MPs) in farmland soils. MPs were found in all soil samples at depths ranging from 12–117 items/m2. Farms adjacent to suburban roads had approximately three times more MPs than enclosed farms. Fragment and fibers were the main forms, with low-density polyethylene being the dominant polymer, originating from historical land use, plastic mulch, and fruit protection foams.

K. C. Sahu, M. K. Satapathy · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India

This paper discusses rooftop gardens as an alternative for vegetable production in Bhubaneswar City, India. While rooftop agriculture can improve ecosystem services and enhance urban biodiversity, vegetable production activities on rooftops are limited due to multiple challenges that need to be addressed for widespread implementation. Rooftops are not a total solution for food security but can supplement other urban food sources.

Mun Gi Hong, Bo Eun Nam · Journal of Character Education and Research · South Korea

This study analyzed the suitability of G National University's campus as an educational site for ecological and character education for elementary students. The campus had a green space ratio of approximately 40% and 120 woody plant species. However, vulnerabilities in plant diversity were identified, including a bias towards certain species like oak and azalea, and multiple species concentrated in small numbers. A critical finding was the overlapping flowering and fruiting seasons for most species, which could negatively impact the ecology of wild animals like insects and birds that rely on these resources.

Nurinda Rahma Ardiasari, Purwanto Setyo Nugroho, Wiwik Setyaningsih · Senthong · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A qualitative-descriptive design study developed an architectural concept for an urban agriculture center in Surabaya, Indonesia, applying ecological architecture principles through field observation and literature analysis. The resulting design covers activity and spatial planning, site processing, building design, vegetation selection and building utilities, framed as a response to shrinking irreversible farmland and weak food security amid rapid urban population growth.

Jing R., Hastings A., Guo M. · iScience · China (Shanghai)

A whole-system modeling study integrating biogeochemical simulation and energy system optimization to evaluate rooftop agriculture options and photovoltaics for a Shanghai case, finding conditioned greenhouses can deliver environmentally sustainable land use.

Tao Li, Jiequn Fan, Qian ZhenGuan, Guohui Yuan, Dandan Meng, Shuiliang Guo, Weiguang Lv · Weed Science · China

A 5-year experiment (2015-2019) in China compared weed occurrence in a corn–earthworm coculture (CE) system and a corn monoculture (CM). The CE system significantly decreased weed diversity, dominance index, total weed density, and biomass, while increasing the weed evenness index. The 5-year mean number of weed species per plot was 8.4 in CE versus 10.7 in CM, and total weed density and biomass in CE decreased by 59.2% and 66.6% respectively compared to CM.

Hoang Tien LE, Thi Huong Ly VO, Ngoc Han CHAU · Journal of Vietnamese Environment · Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)

This study investigated the role of agricultural land for a resilient city amidst challenges like climate change and food scarcity. Using Ho Chi Minh City as a case study, it examined current food security and proposed productive green solutions at various scales, from land-use planning to green roofs. A-Go-Gro technology was shown to be effective for vertical farming, and green roofs were found to decrease stormwater volumes by 65% and reduce electromagnetic radiation penetration by 99.4%.

Mee-Young Kang, Hyun–Shik Moon, Jeong-Woon Joo, Sojin Kim, Moo-Ryong Huh · The Journal of Korean Island · South Korea

This study compared and analyzed the planting status in school gardens of six elementary schools in Geoje-city, Gyeongsangnam-do, to provide basic data for future school garden development for environmental education. Schools with "meditation forests" had larger garden areas, higher green ratios, and more plant species (66-70 species vs. 32-48 species) and individuals (average 597 vs. 331) than general schools. However, the consistency rate between garden plants and textbook plants was similar (around 40% for meditation forest schools, 36% for general schools), indicating a need to improve this for educational effectiveness.

Liu Yu, Zhi JIANG, Hao-sen WANG · 自然资源学报 · China (Beijing)

This study analyzed the spatial differentiation of agricultural regional functions in Beijing, China, using data from 184 streets and towns. It found that agricultural regional function generally increases from the urban core to the far suburbs, but significantly declines in the urban-rural fringe extended area, leading to a loss of spatial development constraints. Land factors, particularly location and house prices, were identified as key inhibitors of agricultural regional function, especially in low-scoring areas.

Jaekyoung Kim, Sang Yeob Lee, Junsuk Kang · Sustainability · South Korea

Using ENVI-Met simulation on the campus of Seoul National University, South Korea, researchers quantitatively analyzed how different rooftop garden arrangement patterns affected temperature reduction. Extreme and linear (longitudinal) configurations achieved the greatest maximum reduction at -0.3°C, while the checkerboard pattern achieved the lowest maximum reduction at -0.2°C, with the largest impact over broader areas occurring in the mornings rather than the afternoons.

Chantika Mayadewi, Dewi Ratnaningrum · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

An architectural design study for a dense settlement in Tanah Sereal, Tambora District, West Jakarta, Indonesia, where residents lack proper social-interaction spaces and use narrow streets and alleys instead. Using an analysis-synthesis method with data from field observation, interviews with local residents, literature study, and regional mapping, the project proposes a "third place" design called the Tanah Sereal Community Activity Space, integrated with a green alley to address social and environmental problems in the dense settlement. Its main program is a hydroponic urban farming area, supplemented by a foodcourt, play areas, teenage discussion areas, communal areas, a seminar room, an event room, and community development programs such as hydroponic and garment workshops intended to improve residents' skills, productivity, and living standards. The output is the design proposal itself rather than measured outcome data.

Setyo Parsudi · Berkala Ilmiah AGRIDEVINA · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This study in Surabaya, Indonesia, aimed to identify urban farming models, community motivations, and obstacles faced in implementing urban agriculture. The study found that the most common urban farming models were hydroponics, followed by verticulture, fisheries, and rooftop gardens. Community motivations primarily included increasing income, utilizing empty land, pursuing farming hobbies, and using green open spaces. The main obstacles faced by the community were plant pests, lack of capital for development, extreme weather, and insufficient experience and knowledge in urban agriculture.

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.

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.

Dan Yu, Dongyan Wang, Wenbo Li, Shuhan Liu, Yuanli Zhu, Wenjun Wu, Yongheng Zhou · Sustainability · China (Changchun)

This paper assessed the landscape ecological security (LES) of peri-urban cultivated land in Changchun City, China, at three time points, considering both cultivated and surrounding landscapes. Results showed that urbanization affected the peri-urban cultivated landscape, with metrics like patch density and edge density progressively increasing for cultivated land within 20 km of the urban center. This indicated elevated fragmentation and vulnerability, and the study concluded that decreased LES of cultivated land impedes sustainable peri-urban agriculture.

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.

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.

Yun-Cheol Nam · Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering · South Korea

A case study of the development process and community life of the Sanneoul eco-village in South Korea, created to welcome urban dwellers choosing to return to rural life and to help prevent rural depopulation. Nearly fifty community meetings were held by residents during construction. Public funds covered most basic construction costs, with residents paying only for property, land and buildings. The village includes rainwater recycling, grass blocks, rooftop gardens, an ecological sewage plant, solar heating, a pellet boiler, a fireplace and ondol floor heating, and residents actively participate in recycling garbage, food waste and human waste; the study reports residents are content with the village's eco-friendly features.

Turreira-García N., Vilkamaa A. M., Byg A. · Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society · Thailand

Documents 55 leafy vegetable species (32 families) in Chiang Mai fresh markets and assesses, via interviews with sellers, residents, and traditional practitioners, how diversity, use, and knowledge persist amid urbanisation.