Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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1140 results(4 / 46)
A carbon-centric evaluation framework for building-integrated agriculture: a comparison of three farm types and building standards
2025Imam M., Glaros A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
A carbon assessment of building-integrated agriculture (vertical farms, rooftop greenhouses, soil-based urban farms) concluded that BIA does not consistently deliver climate benefits over conventional agriculture and can be less resource-efficient, with soil-based urban farms carrying the highest embodied carbon per kilogram.
PolicyEconomicsTowards Sustainable Vertical Farming: A Systematic Review of Energy Return on Investment Efficiency and Optimization Strategies
2025Aborujilah A. · Sustainability · Global
A systematic review of 52 studies concluded that, despite efficiency advances, large-scale adoption of vertical farming remains impeded by high energy requirements and costs, leaving its energy-return sustainability in question.
EconomicsPolicyVertical farming limitations and potential demonstrated by back-of-the-envelope calculations
2025Lovat S., Noor E., Milo R. · Plant Physiology · Global
The analysis shows vertical farming requires large amounts of energy and, under the recent average electricity mix, could substantially increase greenhouse gas emissions with limited land benefit; it is not cost-competitive with cereals or pulses and only marginally so for tomatoes and lettuce.
EconomicsPolicyIntegrating urban and peri-urban agriculture in planning systems. Barriers, policy tools and recommendations
2025· Planning Practice & Research · Global
The paper identifies structural barriers to embedding urban and peri-urban agriculture in planning systems, including outdated zoning, fragmented governance, weak interdepartmental coordination, and inadequate financing, which leave agriculture routinely sidelined in favor of real-estate development.
PolicyUrban agriculture: A strategic pathway to building resilience and ensuring sustainable food security in cities
2025Urban Food Security Research Consortium · ScienceDirect · Global
Analyzes urban agriculture as a strategic pathway for building city resilience and food security, examining policy integration and governance frameworks
PolicyReimagining land use planning: mixed residential–agricultural land use as a pathway to sustaining agriculture in Ghanaian cities
2025Nurudeen Issifu, Owusu Amponsah, Daniel Kwame Blija, Stephen Appiah Takyi, Abdul Majeed Issah, Abdul-Wahid Alhassan · International Planning Studies · Ghana
This study assessed whether mixed residential-agricultural land use can sustain urban agriculture and if residential landowners in rapidly urbanizing Ghanaian cities are willing to allocate plot space to agriculture. Researchers surveyed 280 landowners across four peri-urban settlements in Kumasi and used geospatial data to estimate available residential space. Nearly four out of five landowners were willing to cede their backyards for micro-farming, with geospatial estimates identifying 75.65 hectares of available residential area across the settlements, equivalent to approximately 0.03 ha per plot (about 23% of an average 0.13 ha plot). These findings suggest the potential of backyard micro-farming as a strategy for sustaining urban agriculture.
PolicyPeri-urban agricultureCommunityAGRICULTURA URBANA: CONSUMO E PRODUÇÃO RESPONSÁVEIS, ODS 12/AGENDA 2030
2025Maria de Nazareth Oliveira Maciel, Luann Yago Oliveira Maciel · Aracê. · Global
This descriptive review study examined whether urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of Agenda 2030 and generates social benefits for producers, analyzing articles published from 2019 to 2022 from Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The results showed that urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12, generating ten main social benefits, including improved quality of life, social inclusion, food security, and promotion of mental and physical health.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Agriculture: The Food Movement Moves On
2025Paul Β. Thompson · · Global
This article discusses urban agriculture, noting that the decline of grocery stores in inner cities and projected vulnerabilities in megacities outside the global West suggest distinct moral imperatives. It contrasts urban agriculture with rural resilience and sustainable intensification, highlighting its focus on consumption and present needs. The article describes two urban agriculture archetypes: one embracing high-tech solutions and another emphasizing local solidarities and urban-based control over the food system.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justicePolicyDigital agricultureAssessing the Potential of Rooftop and Wall-Based Urban Agriculture for Food Security Enhancement in Gasabo District, City of Kigali, Rwanda
2025Florien Misago, Isaac Nzayisenga, Henri Jacques Ngirinshuti, Leon De Pere Irakoze, Richard Mind’je · East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology · Rwanda (Kigali)
This study evaluated the potential of rooftop and wall-based urban agriculture to enhance food security in Gasabo District, Kigali, Rwanda. It used GIS and remote sensing to map suitable spaces and assessed 400 household heads using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Findings showed that 41.5% of households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, and approximately 32% of rooftops and walls were structurally appropriate for urban agriculture. While 57.8% of households expressed willingness to adopt rooftop or wall gardening, 67.4% cited structural and financial constraints.
Economic viabilityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyVertical Farming: Innovations, Challenges, and the Future of Sustainable Urban Agriculture
2025Gokulakrishnan G, Navaneetha Krishnan T, Tamilselvan D, S Sanjeevkumar, Devaganesh A, Janani N, K. Arunadevi, Balaji Kannan · Madras Agricultural Journal · Global
This review explores vertical farming, a method that uses stacked layers in controlled environments for year-round crop production with reduced resource use. It assesses the environmental and economic advantages of vertical farming, while critically examining its limitations, including high energy demands and limited crop diversity. The study highlights that despite its potential, vertical farming faces challenges regarding economic viability due to high energy consumption.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsPolicySustainable Urban Horticulture Practices: A Review
2025Yogita Yogita, Ashutosh Kumar, Robin Kumar, Subhash Chander Verma, Abhay Saini, J. C. Das, Rajnish Kumar, Manjul Jain · Journal of Scientific Research and Reports · Global
This review discusses various sustainable practices in urban horticulture, including vertical gardening, hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop gardening, composting, and rainwater harvesting. It analyzes the benefits and limitations of these strategies, highlighting their effects on urban ecology, climate resilience, socio-economic well-being, and environmental conservation. The review concludes with recommendations for policy integration, technological innovation, and public participation to enhance the sustainability of urban horticulture.
CompostBiodiversityClimate changePolicyThe state, colonial legacies of planning and land for food growing in the contemporary city: Reply to Koenraad Danneels
2025Elza D’Cruz · Landscape Research · Global
This article discusses the critical issue of reclaiming space for urban agriculture in contemporary cities, which is central to debates on urban food growing. It highlights that collective and individual food-growing is widely recognized as a means to address food-related challenges.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageRole of Urban Voids in Sustainable Planning
2025PC Trivedi, Shruti Walia Ar · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · Global
This research defines urban voids as idle, unused, or partly used urban lands that public agencies fail to utilize to their maximum capacity. It proposes that these urban voids can serve as valuable resources in sustainable planning by creating green infrastructure, fostering civic engagement, and enhancing biodiversity. Converting these spaces into parks or community gardens can encourage social interaction and improve urban living quality.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyUrbant landbruk og retten til byen: et veikart for utøvere
2025Arild Eriksen, Deni Ruggeri, Esben Slaatrem Titland · · Norway (Oslo)
This essay examines urban agriculture from the perspective of an architect and urban farmer/beekeeper practicing bottom-up, participatory design in Oslo. Critical dimensions of urban agriculture in public space include private and corporate claims on these landscapes, and its current aesthetics of impermanence are critiqued. The essay questions the notion that the joy and freedom urban agriculture brings to a community should be built upon and enriched by future development and policy.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthBiodiversityIdentifying the drivers influencing on the development of a nature- oriented urban landscape with an emphasis on urban agriculture (Case study: Tabriz metropolis)
2025Roghayyeh Khabbazi · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Iran (Tabriz)
This mixed-method study aimed to identify drivers influencing the development of a nature-oriented urban landscape with an emphasis on urban agriculture in Tabriz metropolis, Iran. Data analysis used the partial least squares model in Smart-pls software and content analysis. Findings showed that management, laws and regulations, economic, social, physical, and design components, respectively, had the greatest impact on nature-oriented urban landscape development with urban agriculture. Key sub-components included developing a strategic plan, forming partnerships, developing binding laws to prevent the destruction of urban garden lands, reviewing agricultural laws to support urban agriculture, and using modern agricultural equipment.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsCommunityTransitioning from Social Innovation to Public Policy: Can Bangladesh Integrate Urban Rooftop Farming Policies into Governance by Examining Global Practices?
2025Md. Ashikuzzaman, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, Atiq Zaman, Yongze Song · Sustainability · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study explored the connection between organizational rational choice in urban rooftop farm (URF) policy development and social innovation, using a literature review and a case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Despite the rising popularity of URFs in Dhaka, existing policies and strategies were found to lack clarity and governing mechanisms are absent. The findings suggest that a participatory and co-productive approach, involving community members, local governments, and NGOs, is optimal for URF policy formulation and successful governance.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityReconstruction and Revitalization of the Allotment Gardens Network in Hungary
2025Tibor Farkas, Róbert Barna, Gábor Koncz · European Countryside · Hungary
Allotment gardens in Hungary play a significant role in agriculture, society, environmental preservation, household economy, and sustainable development. The Hungarian government's allotment garden development program in 2018, 2019, and 2021 received 540 applications, and this study assessed their current status, characteristics, results, impacts, and future needs through an online questionnaire administered in 148 settlements. The most important future goal for applicants was found to be the development of various infrastructures, such as roads and ditches, and the creation of public utilities, including electricity and water supply.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeSpatial Analysis of Green Infrastructure Changes in Zanjan City
2025Ahmad zanganeh, ُSara Abbasi, Tajulddin Karami · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Iran
In Zanjan City, Iran, recent rapid urban development has led to the conversion of agricultural lands and surrounding green spaces into gray urban infrastructures like roads, parking lots, and buildings, resulting in a significant reduction of green open spaces. This land transformation poses current challenges and threatens the city's future. This study explores the critical role of urban green infrastructure in enhancing Zanjan's sustainability and resilience, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic planning to address ecological, economic, and social challenges from unbalanced development.
PolicyClimate changeBiodiversityEconomicsUrban-AI 2024 Workshop Report: The 2nd ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Advances in Urban-AI (Urban-AI 2024)
2025Olufemi A. Omitaomu, Ali Mostafavi, Sukanya Randhawa, Haoran Niu · SIGSPATIAL Special · Global
Urban AI is an interdisciplinary field integrating artificial intelligence, spatial computing, and urban science to address urbanization challenges. The growth of urban data and digitization of city infrastructures create opportunities for data-driven machine learning in urban science. Urban AI focuses on innovative AI applications for urban problems, developing AI-ready urban data infrastructures, and practical urban applications across areas like urban planning, traffic forecasting, energy optimization, public safety, urban agriculture, and land use management.
Digital agriculturePolicyUrban agriculture: a sustainability guide for developing countries
2025Sini V. Pillai · Social Responsibility Journal · Global
This research reviewed global urban agriculture practices to propose an adaptable model for developing countries, addressing food security and livelihood generation. Findings indicate that developed countries prioritize self-sustainability and community, while developing countries focus on income and food security but face technological, policy, and socio-cultural barriers. The study suggests technology-supported infrastructure and adaptive policies are needed for successful implementation in developing nations.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture: A Pathway for Enhancing Food Security and Poverty Resiliency in Tanzania
2025Francis Mwaijande · African Journal of Empirical Research · Tanzania
This study, using a mixed-methods approach with 600 respondents from urban and peri-urban farmers and agri-food supply chain producers in Tanzania, confirmed urban agriculture's contribution to food availability, accessibility, stability, and utilization. However, it found that urban agriculture is not well-integrated into urban food and poverty reduction policies in Tanzania and is practiced without legitimate policy and legal frameworks. This policy gap indicates an inadequate policy enabling environment for urban agriculture to enhance food security.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceWelfarePolicyHealthMotivene for kommunal politikk for urbant landbruk: erfaringer fra Norges største byområder
2025Inger‐Lise Saglie · · Norway
This chapter investigates the motivations for urban agriculture policies in three Norwegian cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Five categories of motivations were identified: urban "green" development (environmental friendliness, biodiversity), food production and alternative food systems (linking to peri-urban agriculture), provision of social meeting places and community building, municipal welfare services (work training, integration, health promotion), and active citizenship and co-creation of city development. While motivations were similar across cities, their emphasis varied.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityWelfareBiochar and Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Resilience: Applications, Challenges, and Policy Perspectives
2025James Mbugua · African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability · Global
Biochar is presented as a promising nature-based solution for urban resilience, applicable in soil remediation, stormwater management, and carbon sequestration within green infrastructure. However, its widespread adoption faces significant barriers, including inconsistent feedstock supply, high production costs, limited public awareness, and a lack of standardized quality and safety regulations. The study also identifies a critical need for policies that integrate biochar into urban planning frameworks and incentivize its production and application.
Governance failureClimate changeBiodiversityCompostPolicyCommunityCOMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN URBAN AGRICULTURE (UA): DOES STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION ENHANCE EMPOWERMENT?
2025Nur Shuhamin Nazuri, Mohd Roslan Rosnon, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Sara Shakilla Mohd Salim · PLANNING MALAYSIA · Malaysia (Klang Valley)
This study investigated the values driving community participation in urban agriculture (UA) in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and their contribution to social and economic empowerment. Researchers surveyed 180 UA program participants using multistage random sampling and applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study concluded that implementation and evaluation are crucial for social and economic empowerment in UA programs, with linking social capital acting as a key mediator between effective planning and empowerment outcomes.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyImplementing Decentralized Composting in Urban Areas in Romania - between European Models and Local Initiatives
2025MAGDALENA DRĂGAN · Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning · Romania
This paper examines the potential for implementing decentralized bio-waste management in urban Romania, a country with low municipal waste management performance. It analyzed three EU decentralized composting systems to identify best practices and explored local bottom-up initiatives in Romania. The study concludes with policy recommendations for adapting these practices to local conditions and engaging with local initiatives to develop context-specific composting solutions.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityPolicy