Research & reports

Wirda Rohmah, Marina Ramadhani, Ghulam Fathul Amri · Jurnal Bengawan Solo Pusat Kajian Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Surakarta · Indonesia

Using a literature-study method, this research examined food security conditions in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia — a rapidly urbanizing city — and their implications for urban sustainability and resilience, covering food availability, access, utilization, and stability. It found that urbanization in Surakarta has increased food demand, altered food supply chains, and created distribution and affordability challenges, with urban land-use change, economic inequality, and the effectiveness of existing food policies and programs identified as the main factors shaping food security, and argues for an integrated approach combining improved urban agriculture, strengthened local food systems, and better coordination among stakeholders.

Yang Tingting · The World of Chinese · China

This article profiles Clover Nature School, led by Professor Yuelai Liu, which is converting abandoned urban spaces across China into community gardens. The initiative has established over 1,000 gardens nationwide, with Shanghai aiming for 2,040. In one Urumqi case, a neighboring restaurant's monthly revenue rose from 120,000 to 180,000 yuan after a garden was created.

Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur · Mongabay India · India

Across Indian cities, urban dwellers are turning rooftops, balconies and vacant plots into food gardens, driven by a desire for fresh organic produce as well as hopes of cutting air pollution and easing the urban heat island effect. Farmers in cities such as Ludhiana and Bengaluru are adopting shade nets and drip irrigation to cope with extreme heat, and research in Bengaluru suggests rooftop farming could reduce indoor temperatures by 2-8°C.

Novianti Indah Putri, Zen Munawar, Rita Komalasari, Iswanto Iswanto, Hernawati Hernawati, Dandun Widhiantoro · Darma Abdi Karya · Indonesia

A prototype digital farming system was developed for farmer groups in Indonesia, based on participatory action research. This system integrates IoT technologies such as Arduino UNO, solar panels, soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and automated irrigation. The prototype helps monitor and automate routine processes, enabling farmers to maintain the quality of planting media, which was deemed crucial for easier and more efficient plant growth and development.

Yingjie Ge, Lily Kiminam, Shinichi Furuzawa · Studies in Regional Science · China (Shanghai)

Rapid urbanization in China has weakened urban communities, making community restructuring an important issue. In Shanghai, urban agriculture initiatives like community gardens and rooftop farms are increasing, emphasizing social functions such as resident exchanges. While these new types of urban agriculture are promoted by social entrepreneurs, few studies have focused on the relationships between the creative class and communities in urban agriculture.

Indri Wulandari, Teguh Husodo, Dede Mulyanto, Oekan S. Abdoellah, CIKA ASTI AMALIA, SHOFI SITI FARHANIAH · Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity · Indonesia (Bandung City)

This quantitative study investigated urban home gardening's role in food security in Rancasari Sub-district, Bandung City, Indonesia, sampling housing over 20 years old in Manjahlega and Mekarjaya Villages. The findings revealed that ornamental plants dominate home gardens in the area, with residents prioritizing aesthetic value over food, medicine, or spice production. Consequently, home gardening has not been fully effective in supporting urban farming and food security in Rancasari Sub-district due to the prevalence of ornamental plant selection.

Ugeng Wijanarko, Baba Barus, Fredinan Yulianda · Jurnal Tataloka · Indonesia (Bogor)

The Minapolitan region of Bogor Regency, Indonesia (Ciseeng, Parung, Gunung Sindur, and Kemang districts), contributes to national fish production and the local economy but faces land use pressure from Jakarta's development and increasing demand for residential areas. This study analyzed efficient fish farming land use in line with the 2016-2036 Bogor Regency Spatial Plan (RTRW). The optimal land use scenario for 2028 involves moderate implementation of RTRW regulations, prioritizing residential use in urban areas while still permitting fish farming land, which allows fish farmers adjustment time for technology transfer if they continue aquaculture activities in residential areas.

Aswin Baharuddin, Rahmatia Rahmatia, Julia Hardianti Rusmin, Femi Nur Islami · Hasanuddin Journal of International Affairs · Indonesia (Makassar)

This study analyzes the "Plant What You Eat" concept implemented by the Makassar Gardening Community in Makassar, Indonesia, in response to the global food crisis and decreasing agricultural land. Using a Daily Politics approach, the study found that the community's daily politics involved forming collective action, encouraging public political participation, and building local, national, and international networks to promote urban farming.

Kwang Jin Kim, Inhea Kim, Keùn Huh · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

This study aimed to assess and rescale the scales and narratives of urban agriculture in South Korea to implement its multidimensional functions and values. Narratives from 1980 to 2022 were collected from related laws, plans, and research papers to analyze the definition of urban agriculture, the distinction between farmers and urban farmers, spatial scales, and functions and values. As a result, urban agriculture was redefined as agricultural production activities carried out by the public in urban agricultural spaces, spaces linked to urban agriculture, or spaces with urban agriculture contexts.

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.

Alfyananda Kurnia Putra, Widyana Pramesti, Budi Handoyo · J-PIPS (Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial) · Indonesia (Madiun)

This research aimed to develop a viable urban farming-based food security VLOG learning media using a contextual approach. The ADDIE development model was employed, and expert validation indicated the VLOG media was suitable for feasibility testing with minor revisions. Feasibility tests conducted by teachers and students at SMAN 1 Geger Madiun yielded scores of 91.7% and 86.2% respectively, demonstrating that the VLOG media was highly feasible and could be used in geography learning without revision.

Jiaxin Li · Heliyon · China (Fuzhou)

This study developed a spatial model for land suitability evaluation of urban agricultural development under different investment demands (urban agriculture 1.0 and 2.0) in Fuzhou, China. GIS and TOPSIS analysis techniques, based on prospect theory, were utilized. The land suitability evaluation system incorporated ecological environment, social demand, and investment cost. Results indicated Changle as the most suitable area for urban agriculture 1.0, while Gulou was most suitable for urban agriculture 2.0.

Chomchid Phromsin, Orasa Suksawang · Sustainability · Thailand (Phayao)

This research surveyed 80 farm households in Huay Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Thailand, between December 2018 and January 2019, to examine socio-economic and environmental conditions and the potential of urban agriculture for food security. The study found uncertainties in future food security due to labor shortages, low productivity, low income, and chemical use. Spatial clustering identified weaknesses and development opportunities, suggesting a farmer coalition could enhance food security through collective efforts.

Lia Sekti Chrisnawati · Jurnal Ecolab · Indonesia

A literature review on the issue of agricultural land conversion to non-agricultural uses in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, identified its direct impacts. The study noted reduced rice production, loss of fertile agricultural land, loss of investment in irrigation infrastructure, landscape damage, increased river and groundwater pollution, occurrence of natural disasters like floods and droughts, and a lack of water absorption areas. These findings indicate the need for policies and programs supporting sustainable urban planning.

Qiuling Yuan, Shuo Mi, Fanxin Meng, Jiaqi Hou, Yutong Sun, Hui Li, Aamir Mehmood Shah · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · China (Beijing)

This study applied a "farm-to-table" emergy method to analyze the environmental sustainability of two typical urban farms in Beijing, China: a suburban greenhouse farm and an aquaponics farm. The aquaponics farm demonstrated a lower environmental loading ratio and a higher emergy sustainability index compared to traditional greenhouse farming, but it required more emergy inputs.

Myung‐Bok Lee · PeerJ · China

This study investigated how environmental features within and surrounding urban farmlands affected the abundance of Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) and cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae) in a megacity of China during winters. P. rapae abundance increased with local crop diversity but was strongly negatively associated with landscape-scale crop and weed covers. A. cerana responded positively to fine-scale flower cover, increased with local-scale weed cover, but decreased with increasing landscape-scale weed cover.

IDPO IDPO, Widhianthini Widhianthini, Gede Mekse Korri Arisena, I Made Sukewijaya, AAK Krisnandika · African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development · Indonesia (Denpasar)

This research analyzed the sustainability status of agricultural resources and formulated policy strategies for sustainable agriculture in Denpasar City, Indonesia. Using Rap-Ur-Agri, Multi-Dimensional Scaling, and prospective analysis, the study found that ecological and economic dimensions were less sustainable, while social, institutional, and technological dimensions were moderately sustainable. Recommended policy strategies included maintaining productive rice fields, developing land-saving urban farming models, and strengthening agricultural extension institutions.

MS Alam, Silpa Mullakkalparambil Velayudhan, Debpriyo Kumar Dey, Chiamaka Adilieme, Pradeep Kumar Malik, Raghavendra Bhatta, Sven König, Eva Schlecht · Tropical Animal Health and Production · India (Bengaluru)

A study in Greater Bengaluru, India, interviewed 151 dairy farmers and analyzed 97 forage samples from 10 lakes and vegetable leftovers to assess urbanization's impact on cattle health. While lake fodder was nutritionally high-quality, 43% of samples contained toxic heavy metals above critical levels. Logit models showed that insufficient drinking water and lake fodder negatively impacted cattle health, despite 60% of farmers believing their cows were healthy.

Sofyan Halim · KANGMAS Karya Ilmiah Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Jakarta)

A community service activity was conducted in Meruya Selatan Village, Kembangan District, West Jakarta, on March 7 and 14, 2023. The activity aimed to motivate local farming groups to use hydroponic methods, provide practical guidance on simple financial management systems, and build resilient groups for urban agriculture. Participants from the farming groups benefited from the activity and suggested its continuous and improved implementation.

Shifa Ma, Bin Ai, Haiyan Jiang, Yunnan Cai, Dixiang Xie · Ecological Indicators · China

This study developed a framework to explore urban agglomeration growth patterns in the terminal urbanization stage, integrating inertial driving factors, spatial development strategy, and urbanization cycles represented by constrained S-curves. The framework was applied to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a case study. Results showed that planning strategy can reshape growth patterns, subregional constrained S-curves can reasonably predict urban quantity, and the coupled model provides a referable simulation pattern for urban agglomeration.

Nurgiantoro Nurgiantoro, La Ode Hadini, La Ode Agus Salim Mando, Armayanti Aris, Septian Jackrianto, Farid Restu Firmansyah, Hikma Wati · Sewagati · Indonesia (Kendari)

This community partnership program in Wundumbatu Village, Kendari City, focused on mitigating climate change impacts by reducing the urban heat island effect through edible landscape vegetation. The program educated the community via Focus Group Discussions and planted 450 edible plant seedlings, including mulberry and turmeric, in partner yards. Monitoring showed that the edible plants grew well, and community understanding of edible landscapes improved.

Fatin Nurlia Sari Dewi, James Rilatupa · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study descriptively investigates the issue of agricultural land degradation in Kembangan District, West Jakarta, Indonesia. It notes that the conversion of agricultural land due to urban development can lead to the loss of regional food security and identity. The research concludes that vertical urban agriculture, adapted with architectural engineering technology, is one way to develop the agricultural industry to maintain food security amidst the land crisis.

Sri Purwanti · Jurnal Jendela Inovasi Daerah · Indonesia (Magelang)

This study used quantitative methods to assess the community's potential and competence for urban agricultural activities in Magelang Utara District, Magelang City, Indonesia. Field findings indicated that the community is capable and competent, evidenced by their participation in yard planting and waste management to support economical and accessible plant cultivation.

Danning Lu · Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography · China

This research analyzed social and organizational factors influencing the success of community gardens in China, using four case studies of state-sponsored community gardens in Beijing and Shanghai. It found that success factors are multi-faceted and interactive, with resident-government relations being crucial across development stages. Resident involvement and vision are important in the design stage, while leadership, residents' self-governance preparedness, and external recognition are key in the maintenance stage.

Yichen Jiang, Axel Timpe, Frank Lohrberg · Journal of Urban History · China (Xuanhua)

A case study of traditional urban grape gardens in Xuanhua, China, examined existing issues and external factors impacting the area. The study found that while traditional farming techniques and the urban fabric of courtyards with grape funnels have been preserved, the area still lacks social concerns, and some households need to optimize their business models.