Research & reports

Kosuke Sakura, Ignacio Grávalos Lacambra, Manuel Alejandro Rufasto Ñañez, Patrizia Di Monte · Dearq · Japan (Nagano)

This article presents an active service-learning methodology as a pedagogical approach in architecture schools, focusing on community-led appropriation of public space. This methodology was implemented through the Machi Hata Project, which aimed to transform three abandoned areas near Zenkoji Temple in Nagano—Sukeroku Garden, La Rencontre Backyard, and A Goat Garden—into "civic gardens." The study documents the sequential processes of analysis, design, and community-led construction of these community gardens, highlighting their potential as both educational tools and catalysts for urban regeneration.

Tatiane Sueli Coutinho · Revista Ciência em Extensão · Brazil

The Ervaterapia project conducted 14 workshops (10 at IFC, 4 with CRAS) in Brazil, focusing on producing handmade soaps with medicinal herbs from a community garden. These 3-hour workshops aimed to raise awareness about medicinal herbs as a health promotion alternative to allopathic medicines and to foster an alternative income source through natural soap sales. The project successfully brought the community and the educational institution closer, promoting regional social and economic development.

Mateusz Salwa · · Global

This chapter discusses contemporary urban gardening practices as an activity interpretable as a model for how people should design and manage their landscapes. Gardening is presented as driven by an "aesthetics of care," arguing for a new paradigm in landscape aesthetics that should no longer be associated with aesthetic appreciation. Instead, it should be conceived as related to human engagement in and with the landscape.

Carmen Blasco Sánchez, Francisco Juan Martínez Pérez · Ciudad y territorio: Estudios territoriales · Global

This paper explores the historical relationship between urban gardens, green infrastructure, and urban planning. Urban gardens, with a long tradition, are recognized as a valuable resource for sustainable urban development, addressing not only environmental needs but also social cohesion, food security, health, and economic incentives. The evolution of rural-urban relationships in urban planning culture presents a new challenge with urban gardens, necessitating a re-examination of the disciplinary path to clarify their potential in new forms of urban planning.

Siti Hajar, Siti Via Syahrani Putri, Hanif Fatihah Tsari, Muhammad Iqbal, Arjuna Arjuna, Nur Saudah Al Arifa D · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pembangunan dan Pendidikan Vokasi Pertanian · Indonesia

This study analyzed the empowerment strategies of the Surya Hijau Farmer Group in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, using SWOT analysis. The group, which practices urban farming with vertical planting, demonstrated strong internal cooperation but faced challenges including caterpillar pest attacks, difficulty obtaining quality growing media, and water scarcity. A critical finding was that the group's income was affected by fluctuating harvest prices, posing a significant threat to their economic viability.

Lídia Cabral, Ronald Ranta, Suleyman M. Demi, Ísis Domingues, Julian May, Claire Néel, Grace Nkomo, Luciana Marques Vieira, Marie Walser · · Global

An international research collaboration examined grass-roots food provisioning innovations in five urban locations across the UK, Canada, France, Brazil, and South Africa. These initiatives, which include social supermarkets and school gardens, faced challenges such as dependence on surplus food, logistical problems, funding limitations, and the need for ongoing volunteer support. The study found that these innovations struggle with economic viability due to funding and volunteer reliance.

Karolina M. Lukasik, Maija Linturi, Tuomas Aivelo · npj Urban Sustainability · Finland

A study in two Helsinki urban allotment gardens, using interviews and ethnographic observation, examined human-rat conflict as multispecies negotiations. Gardeners and rats co-created an implicit code of conduct for peaceful coexistence, based on humans becoming attuned to rats' needs. The research proposes this framework as a tool for achieving multispecies justice.

Michelle Loy, Rupa Mahadevan, Maria R. Mascarenhas, Lori Walsh · Pediatric Annals · Global

Culinary medicine, which uses food to treat illness and maintain health, is gaining support from health systems and organizations to develop policies promoting access to high-quality meals. It is now incorporated into medical education and shows potential to enhance patient care in various settings, including farms and community gardens.

Marcelo Silveira Badejo, Calebe de Hebrom Livistom da Silva, Joana Josiane Andriotte Oliveira Lima Nyland, Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior, Juliano da Rosa Justim, Cassiano Ranzan · OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA · Brazil

In Santo Antônio da Patrulha, Brazil, a tree inventory was conducted in the Cidade Alta and Centro neighborhoods to support an urban afforestation project. The survey revealed a lack of trees in 5 out of 41 streets in Cidade Alta and 2 out of 28 streets in Centro, with high rates of unidentified trees (53% and 12% respectively). Furthermore, pedagogical practices tested in schools and universities raised challenges regarding the management of flowerbeds in urban areas.

Endah Tisnawati, Ferida Yuamita, Anang Saptoto, Sagio Sagio, Yunita Firdha Kyswantoro, Desrina Ratriningsih · SPEKTA (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Teknologi dan Aplikasi) · Indonesia

This community service program aimed to strengthen the institutional capacity of urban farmer groups in Kemantren Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta. A methodology combining participatory mapping, exhibitions, and focus group discussions (FGDs) was employed. Results showed that participatory mapping increased collective awareness of available resources, while structured FGDs supported the formulation of institutional strategies, improving group cohesion, managerial transparency, and access to external support. The program demonstrates the crucial role of integrating participatory methods and public interaction in strengthening urban farming groups' capacity.

Clarisha Dhea Susanti, Nandita Larasati, Mardiyah Hayati · Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Komunitas · Indonesia

This community service activity aimed to make the neglected Wallet Urban Farming Garden in Sukun Village, Malang City, sustainable. Activities included cleaning, sorting polybags and adding growing media, fertilizing, planting green spinach and water spinach, watering, and improving facilities such as repairing information boards. The activity was carried out until the vegetable harvest period and was expected to help increase daily vegetable consumption for the local community.

Ebimorboere endoni, Ibrahim Umar, Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh, Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo, olawepo ibidolapo · Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science · Nigeria

This research investigates the role of community recreational gardens in fostering social cohesion among residents in urban housing estates in FCT Abuja, Nigeria, using a mixed-methods approach including surveys, interviews, and observational studies. Key findings indicate that community recreational gardens serve as inclusive environments, promoting cross-generational interactions, cultural exchange, and the formation of social networks in housing estates.

Etefa Tilahun Ashine · International Journal of Agricultural Economics · Ethiopia

This review examines the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture in Ethiopia, where urbanization and living costs are rising. Key challenges include limited access to land, irrigation water, and financial institutions, as well as high prices for fertilizers and pesticides, and climate variability affecting crop yields. Opportunities include strong market demand for products, employment creation for youth and women, and additional income generation for producers. The study concludes that stronger policy support and investment are needed to enhance urban agriculture's contribution.

Ryotaro HAYASHI, Yasushi Kyutoku, Atsuya SHIMAZAKI, Yoshiki HARADA · Transactions of Japan Society of Kansei Engineering · Japan

This study investigated the applicability of the leisure constraint model to community garden programs in Japan, using an online questionnaire (n=732) on participation constraints across four activity scenarios. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model can be applied to Japanese community garden practices. However, exploratory factor analyses revealed many extracted factors had vague or inconsistent question combinations, suggesting a need for future research to construct a community garden-specific leisure constraint model.

Mahsa Khanpoor Siahdarka, Mohammad Reza Masnavi · Energy Nexus · Asia

A mixed-method study in Tehran's District 10 investigated the potential of community gardens to address environmental and social challenges. Envi-Met® simulations showed CO₂ reductions of 77.74 mg/m³ around broadleaf trees and 84.37 mg/m³ with native grasses and phytoremediation plants, a 6.43°C reduction in mean radiant temperature, and a 7% increase in relative humidity. Social analyses revealed community preferences and gendered trends influencing garden design and plot arrangements.

Stefani Natalia Sabatini, Paulus Bawole, Haryati Bawole Sutanto · Jurnal Atma Inovasia · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study discusses assistance provided to the Migunani Farmer Group in Cokrodirjan, Yogyakarta City, regarding household wastewater management for urban agriculture development. The assistance included education on wastewater management, education and simulation of urine processing into liquid fertilizer, and a workshop on simple garden reactor creation. While education and simulation activities increased the farmer group's capacity, the construction of the garden wastewater treatment reactor was hindered by difficulties in adjusting the location of the wastewater source.

Hilary Jasmin · Evidence Based Library and Information Practice · United States and Canada

This study surveyed 58 academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada regarding their seed lending programs' goals and marketing, using an online survey. While some libraries stated intentions related to food justice and activism, their marketing and programming primarily focused on neutral gardening and how-to classes. The findings reveal a gap between the initial, less neutral intentions and the more neutral, less activist programming language used for seed libraries.

Ceysha Berliana Kinanti, Lenny Luthfiyah, Beta Rianul Setiawati · Farmers Journal of Community Services · Indonesia (Surabaya)

Participatory extension training on potted vegetable cultivation and transplanting techniques was conducted at the Kapasari Indah Farmers Group in Surabaya, Indonesia, to improve farmers' food security skills. Pre- and post-tests showed a significant increase in understanding, with average scores rising from 22.73 to 88.18. However, the activity faced limitations due to its short duration and limited tools and materials.

Leena Bröll, Aline Haustein · Perspektiven auf Lehre Journal for Higher Education and Academic Development · Germany

An evaluation of a school gardening seminar for student teachers in Saxony, Germany, revealed that practical gardening imparts specialist knowledge, reflection ability, and motivation. These skills are considered crucial for prospective teachers to transmit sustainable values to future generations. School garden lessons, historically introduced in the GDR in 1963/64, are now integrated into primary school science lessons in Saxony.

Mohammad Sultan Ahmad Ansari · Sustainable Futures · Global

A systematic literature review investigated how innovation and creativity support sustainability in an educational landscape. The review found that sustainability through innovation and creativity can foster societal changes and enable learners to address social and ecological issues. It also identified challenges in integrating multicultural society for achieving sustainability.

Victória Pansani Silveira Maia, Sílvia Aparecida Mikami Gonçalves Pina · Periódico Técnico e Científico Cidades Verdes · Global

This case study analyzed urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) experiences in India (Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam) and an agroforestry system in Campinas, Brazil, using literature review, document analysis, and participant observation. The study identified common obstacles to agroecological practices, including land tenure insecurity, real estate pressures, lack of specific public policies, and uneven community engagement. It also highlighted potentialities such as care networks and food resilience, emphasizing the need for institutional support and public policies.

Jayne M. Rogerson · Modern Geográfia · South Africa (Johannesburg)

This article examines the organization and current state of rooftop agriculture in Johannesburg, South Africa, drawing on existing material. Johannesburg hosts the largest cluster of rooftop farms, primarily established for social considerations, with fewer projects for commercial reasons or business image enhancement. The study investigates the challenges confronting these rooftop farming projects.

Noelia Fernández-Salido, Alfonso Gallego‐Valadés, Carlos Serra-Castells, Jorge Garcés Ferrer · Agriculture · Spain (Valencia)

This qualitative study in Valencia, Spain, explored the role of urban allotment gardens in producing social capital. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants involved in urban garden projects. Findings indicate that urban gardens act as relational infrastructures, fostering intergenerational learning and inclusive participation. However, exclusionary attitudes and fragmented governance were found to limit their potential.

Nilo Coradini de Freitas, Hélène Picard, Marcos Barros · Organization Studies · Global

This ethnographic study of a shared community garden explores the role of affective dynamics in creating dissonance within alternative organizations. The study found that intensive affective experiences generate tensions in member interactions, leading to transitional reactions that require organizational responses. This highlights how affective embodiment processes shape supposedly rational procedures and dialogue in decision-making, impacting organizational democracy.

Édipo Alves Lacerda · Espiral revista de geografías y ciencias sociales · Brazil

This book, organized by Gustavo Henrique Cepolini Ferreira et al., compiles texts from Unimontes researchers focused on critical geography and popular struggles for land and traditional territories in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. It discusses conflicts from agribusiness expansion, disputes over resources, climate change effects on peasant farming, and challenges faced by quilombolas, indigenous, and traditional communities. The book addresses structural racism and other aspects of rural development, highlighting negative impacts on these communities.