Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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5543 results(4 / 222)
Designing Integrated Urban Agriculture Systems for Spatial Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability in Dense Urban Neighborhoods
2026Endah Tisnawati, Nabila Aufelisa · International Journal Of Science Technology & Management · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
This study reframes community-based urban agriculture as an integrated socio-spatial and environmental infrastructure in dense urban areas, using a case study in Kemantren Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data from field mapping and spatial analysis identified 22 urban agriculture sites, with a density of approximately 0.055 sites/ha, in an area with only 14.5% green open space. Findings indicate that urban agriculture functions as a micro-scale environmental infrastructure by integrating spatial efficiency, production systems, environmental functions, and community-based operational mechanisms, achieving environmental performance through the functional intensification of fragmented spaces.
CommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changePolicy“Regain the park from the Bad People”. Symbolic boundaries and urban exclusion in Ecatepec
2026Miguel Ángel Monteverde-Ávalos · Alteridades · Mexico (Ecatepec)
An ethnography of a dispute over a small community garden in a working-class neighborhood in Ecatepec, Mexico, revealed that internal socialization processes establish thresholds of respectability, leading to classifications that reproduce differential access to public space. The study found that these classifications result in the unequal distribution of spatial resources and contribute to the reproduction of an exclusionary urban order.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyHealthA scoping review of temperate food forestry research: key themes, methodological considerations and research priorities
2026Anna M. Roodhof, Lieke Moereels, Isabelle van der Zanden, Giulia Bongiorno, Alejandra Hernández Guzmán, Jeroen Kruit, Madelon Lohbeck, Sietze J. Norder, Suzy Rebisz, Bastiaan Rooduijn, Jordy van Eijk, Heitor Mancini Teixeira · Agroforestry Systems · Global
This scoping review aims to facilitate future food forestry research by organizing existing empirical research and research agendas on food forestry in temperate regions. The study integrated fragmented literature, primarily due to inconsistent terminology, around nine key research themes. Overall, three clusters of research gaps were identified, centering on questions pertaining to food production, multifunctionality, and knowledge legitimization processes in food forests.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityOrganic cycleWhen Business as Usual Fails: The Case of Urban Agriculture in Detroit
2026Jocelyn M. Leitzinger, Robert David · · United States (Detroit)
A case study of Detroit's urban agriculture market indicates that "business-as-usual" development strategies, which prioritize large-scale investment projects, often fail to achieve their economic development potential. These strategies are noted to potentially exacerbate social or environmental issues, particularly within "moral markets" led by Black activists. The paper explores the mechanisms of such failures and offers recommendations for policymakers and entrepreneurs.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunity Gardens as a Strategy to Address Food Insecurity: A Community-Based Qualitative Study
2026Agaezi Sonya · Community Medicine & Public Health Care · Global
This qualitative study explores community gardens as a strategy to address food insecurity, which disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized communities. Community gardens are presented as local spaces that may enhance access to nutritious foods and promote social connection and cultural continuity.
CommunityWelfareHealthSoil Fertility Management Training for Urban Women Farmers Using PUTK and PUPO: A Participatory Rural Appraisal Approach in KWT Roay Lestari, Indonesia
2026Anita Dwy Fitria, Dwi Wijayanti, Kusuma Agdhi Rahwana, Missi Hikmatyar · ABDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia
This community service program in KWT Roay Lestari, Indonesia, aimed to improve soil fertility management skills among urban women farmers using simple soil and fertilizer testing tools. A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach was applied, involving active farmer participation in training and field practice. Pre- and post-training questionnaires showed an increase in participants’ knowledge by over 80% and an initial-final knowledge increase of over 50%. Soil analysis revealed moderately fertile soil with slightly acidic pH, moderate phosphorus, low potassium, and low organic matter, leading to recommendations for the application of 20–25 tons/ha of manure, 20 ml/L of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and 3 tons/ha of lime. The program effectively enhanced farmers’ capacity to independently manage soil fertility in urban farming systems.
DIYFood educationCommunityOrganic cycleCalling plants to the rescue - mitigating the detrimental effects of warfare with phytotechnology
2026Henrik Haller, Elisabeth Simelton, Oskar Englund · npj Science of Plants · Global
This study summarizes three plant-based strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of armed conflicts. These strategies include increased food security through urban gardening, gardening for meaning-making amidst conflict and supporting social cohesion and mental health, and post-war phytoremediation.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityCity soils, city souls: Urban Agriculture Contribution (New European Bauhaus Online Satellite Event 2026)
2026Pierre Chopin, Anton Parisi, Paola Clerino, Agnès Fargue‐Lelièvre, Carnel Megbleto, Lia van Wesenbeeck, Anna Kirstgen, Paris Pencharz, Charlotte Liborio-Cornet, Marta Sylla, Tomasz Kowalczyk, Gati András, Nadira Berbić, Iva Bedenko, Michele D'Ostuni, Penny Zafiraki, Odysseas Sekkas, Tina Katika, C. Kennard · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Europe
This presentation compiles insights, case studies, and strategic models from the "City Soils, City Souls: Urban Agriculture Contribution" workshop, an official New European Bauhaus satellite event. It merges findings from the Horizon Europe FOODCITYBOOST project and other EU initiatives to outline data-driven, community-led strategies for combating urban sprawl, revitalizing peri-urban land, and building circular food systems in European cities.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureInsurgent Geographies and the Problem of Violence: Lessons From Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
2026Alexei Anisin · Peace & Change · United States (Seattle)
This study analyzed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle, which emerged in June 2020 and lasted 24 days, functioning as an urban hub for mutual aid and urban farming. The research, using randomly sampled Fire Department reports, found that CHAZ had significantly higher emergency response rates and incident variability compared to adjacent areas. The zone was dismantled due to outbreaks of violence, including five shootings, two deaths, sexual assaults, and arson, indicating a failure to address communal safety.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthENTRE O DISCURSO E A PRÁTICA
2026Alan da Silva Vinhaes, Tamires Regina Rocha · Revista Tocantinense de Geografia · Brazil (Jundiaí)
This article analyzes the Urban Garden Program in Jundiaí, Brazil, to understand the contradictions between institutional discourse, normative framework, and observed territorial practice. Despite a favorable legal framework, the program's effectiveness is limited by low territorial coverage, a reduced number of active gardens, and reliance on punctual initiatives. The study concludes that long-term public policies with continuous institutional support are needed for urban agriculture to become a permanent component of urban planning.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityGardeners’ knowledge of arthropod ecological roles is shaped by experience, education, and gender
2026Edith Gonzales, Brenda B. Lin, Heidi Liere, Shalene Jha, Stacy M. Philpott · Figshare · United States (California)
An online survey of community gardeners in California, United States, assessed their knowledge of arthropod ecological roles. Gardeners demonstrated high knowledge, correctly classifying 71–83% of arthropod images. Female gardeners more accurately classified pollinators, while those who participated in a Master Gardener program more accurately classified herbivores and natural enemies.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsFood educationCultivando inquietudes nos mantenemos vitales: una experiencia de participación de personas con deficiencia visual grave en un huerto urbano
2026N. Bueno Pulido · RED Visual Revista Especializada en Discapacidad Visual · Global
This 2026 study describes an activity for older adults with severe visual impairment or blindness, affiliated with ONCE, who moved from rural areas to cities and experience loneliness. Recognizing their nostalgia for rural life and gardening, the project connected them with community urban gardens managed by neighborhood and environmental associations. The activity, part of the "Somos vitales" initiative, involved three sessions focused on active collaboration, interaction, and sharing, aiming to revitalize participants and foster new connections.
CommunityElderlyHealthWelfareIntersectando a agricultura urbana, o meio ambiente e a educação:
2026Rogers Hansine, Christine Bonnin, Inês Raimundo, Madal Artur, Cândida Bila · Revista Tamoios · Mozambique
The SYNERGI project, implemented from March 2023 to September 2025, aimed to promote urban community involvement in co-creating Socially Inclusive Edible Urban Green Infrastructure (IVUCs) in Maputo and Xai-Xai, Mozambique. The project successfully established IVUCs in six selected schools, increasing food production and educational opportunities. The project highlights the need for better institutional frameworks to support green infrastructure development.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationBiodiversityPolicyLearning Grassroots Regenerative Circularity: Food Forest Pedagogies of Praxis
2026Kensington Food Forest, Kensington Circular Economy Precinct Community Group, Nícolas Guerra-Tão, Corey Ferguson, Alexandre da Silva Faustino, Ana Lara Heyns, Zheng Chin, Stephanie Ochona, Benjamin Cooke · Australian Journal of Environmental Education · Australia (Melbourne)
Research conducted with the Kensington Circular Economy Precinct Community Group in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, examined the Kensington Food Forest, an urban ecological site within public housing estates. This study co-created indicators to capture the ecological, social, and pedagogical values generated by grassroots initiatives, showing how communities learn with their environment and each other. The findings position regenerative circularity as an embodied, relational, and pedagogical praxis.
CommunityBiodiversityOrganic cycleFood educationGreen Movement in Hungary: Endeavors, Achievements and Challenges within a Global Framework
2026Virag Havasi · IntechOpen eBooks · Hungary (Miskolc)
This chapter examines the history of the green movement in Hungary, including its alignment with global environmental trends and domestic political events. A case study of Miskolc revealed a lack of cross-sectoral cooperation and diminished civic mobilization, mirroring national tendencies. Hungarian civil society and green organizations have less financial and social support, and while they adopt social innovations, they do not excel at creating them.
Governance failureCommunityCSA & TeikeiPolicyPemberdayaan Kelompok Tani Urban Farming Melalui Integrasi Teknologi Budikdamber Untuk Mendukung Ketahanan Pangan
2026Imtihan, Lisa Mayasari, Sanny Edinov · Jurdimas (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) Royal · Indonesia (Padang)
This community service program empowered the Sumber Harapan Farmers Group in Padang City, Indonesia, by applying BUDIKDAMBER (Fish Cultivation in Buckets) technology. The program, which included socialization, training, and mentoring, equipped the group with skills in integrating catfish cultivation with vegetable crops. Knowledge and skills of the farmers group increased from 20% to 87.31%, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in enhancing participation and food security.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationPenguatan Kapasitas Ekonomi Hijau dan Kewirausahaan Sosial melalui Pendampingan Komunitas Binaan di Kota Medan
2026Annisa Ilmi Faried, Rahmad Sembiring, Ahmad Fadlan, Aulia Syahputri Sinaga · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat. · Indonesia (Medan)
This community service activity aimed to strengthen green economic capacity and social entrepreneurship among 42 micro-enterprise partners across four clusters (culinary, crafts/recycling, urban farming, digital creative services) in Medan City over six months. The participatory mentoring approach, including training and technical assistance, resulted in an increase in average monthly turnover for all business clusters. Partner competency scores also improved across six dimensions, with the highest increases in green economy understanding and waste management/recycling.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceSpatial Distribution, Productivity and Socio-Economic Impact of Urban Agriculture in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria
2026N. I. Odeh, I. K. Samaila, O. C. Odeh · Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science Research · Nigeria (Jos)
This study assessed urban agriculture (UA) in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, using geospatial mapping, surveys, and yield trials. Greenhouses accounted for 76% of UA, with vegetables dominating production at 72%. Yield trials showed hydroponics increased bell pepper yield by 4.3 times and sack farming increased yam yield by 3.1 times compared to open-field cultivation. A micro-economic analysis indicated hydroponics and sack farming were financially viable, but open-field yam farming had a negative Net Present Value (NPV) of −₦101,594, confirming its financial non-viability in urban contexts.
EconomicsCommunityPeri-urban agricultureDigital agricultureEnhancing Urban Consumers' Loyalty to the Community-Supported Agriculture Organic Farms via SNSs
2026Quang-An Ha, Thi Hong Nhung Nguyen · · Global
This conceptual research explores the role of farmer-to-consumer (F2C) know-how exchange via SNSs in enhancing urban consumers' loyalty to Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) organic farms. Utilizing the MOA theoretical framework, the study identifies key drivers of F2C know-how exchanges and their impacts on consumer loyalty intentions. It suggests that leveraging social capital and mutual trust through SNS-based knowledge exchange can contribute to more resilient and sustainable local organic agriculture.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsDigital agricultureFood Green Cities for Urban Sustainability (Book)
2026Ambika P. Adhikari, Keshav Bhattarai, Drona Rasali, Sunil Babu Shrestha · UNM’s Digital Repository (University of New Mexico) · Global
This book explores the role of urban agriculture, forestry, and sustainable practices in ensuring food security and addressing climate change and urbanization challenges. It emphasizes urban greening and sustainable land use as strategies for creating livable cities and mitigating environmental degradation. The book compiles research, practical solutions, and transferable strategies applicable to developing countries.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeCommunityPEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI BUDIDAYA IKAN DALAM GALON SEBAGAI SOLUSI KETAHANAN PANGAN DI DESA CISALAM, KECAMATAN BAROS, KABUPATEN SERANG
2026Rini Yanuarti, Muhammad Niswan, Rizka Fasliana, Sindi Abeliana, Suci Sri Rachmawati · Journal of Maritime Empowerment · Indonesia (Serang)
A community empowerment program in Cisalam Village, Serang Regency, Indonesia, provided knowledge and education on fish cultivation in gallons (BUDIGALON) and water spinach planting. This initiative aimed to address food shortages and promote healthy living due to the community's reliance on rain-fed rice fields. An evaluation showed that participants' knowledge and understanding of these practices increased by an average of 63%.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityFood educationEVALUACIÓN DE LA SUSTENTABILIDAD DE HUERTOS URBANOS DEL MUNICIPIO DE PUEBLA, PUEBLA, MÉXICO
2026Héctor Bernal-Mendoza, Daniel Jiménez-García, Natyeli Matus Angulo, Miguel Ángel Escalona Aguilar · Agroecología · Mexico (Puebla)
This study evaluated the sustainability of 18 urban gardens in Puebla, Mexico, from 2020 to 2021. The MESMI methodology was applied using 14 indicators across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Two alternative systems were identified: transitional to conventional and transitional to agroecological, with the latter showing the highest values in 7 indicators and thus concluded to be the most sustainable.
CommunityEconomicsOrganic cycleClimate changeBEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF URBAN FARMING ADOPTION IN MALAYSIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY USING THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
2026Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop · International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution · Malaysia
This qualitative study investigated the behavioral intentions of urban citizens towards urban farming in Malaysia, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. Semi-structured interviews with 50 participants from major urban centers in Peninsular Malaysia revealed that positive attitudes, such as valuing food freshness, health benefits, and environmental impact, strongly motivate participation. Subjective norms are shaped by family support, community inspiration, and the growing visibility of urban farming, while perceived behavioral control depends on factors like space, time, and access to knowledge and technology. Participants with higher self-efficacy and greater community involvement showed more willingness to engage in urban farming.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood educationCultivating the margins: Urban farming, social solidarity, and spatial justice in Indonesia
2026Moh. Solehatul Mustofa, Kemal Budi Mulyono, Nina Farliana, Dwi Cahyaningdyah · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Indonesia
This qualitative study examined urban farming practices in seven major Indonesian cities, using participant observation, 52 in-depth interviews, and seven focus group discussions with urban farmers. Findings indicate that the resilience and sustainability of urban farming are shaped by collective affective infrastructures, social solidarity, and non-commodified community relations, rather than solely economic motivations or formal policies. Urban farming produces social, ecological, and symbolic value beyond market outcomes, contributing to food security, community resilience, and spatial justice.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyDoes gardening make us feel better? Assessing the motivations and perceptions of urban gardeners in Bogota, Colombia
2026Laura Rojas-Pardo, Tereza Pilařová, Kindah Ibrahim, Patrick Van Damme, Vladimír Verner · Local Environment · Colombia (Bogotá)
This study assessed the self-reported motivations for urban homegardening in Bogota, Colombia, through thematic content analysis of 119 semi-structured interviews. Three main motivations were identified: enjoyment, food self-provision, and social connection, which were associated with gardeners' socioeconomic strata and garden location. Enjoyment was a significant factor for over 70% of respondents in central and northern areas, while aesthetic appeal and economic constraints were prominent in the southern periphery, with only lower socioeconomic strata reporting economic reasons for gardening.
HealthFood educationCommunityEconomics