Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1626 results(41 / 66)
GEOSPATIAL VALUATION OF URBAN FARMING IN IMPROVING CITIES RESILIENCE: A CASE OF MALANG CITY, INDONESIA
2020Tri Atmaja, Miina Yanagihara, Kensuke Fukushi · The international archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences · Indonesia
This study in Malang City, Indonesia, inventoried existing and potential areas for urban farming and estimated its total value using Contingent Valuation Method and Market Price Method. Currently, 1.38 ha (0.01% of city area) is used for urban farming across 21 plots, with a potential area of 211.46 ha (1.92% of city area). Urban farming provides services valued at US$28.68 m−2 yr−1, including food provisioning, income generation, recreation, education, and urban comfort. If both existing and potential areas were utilized, urban farming could contribute up to US$60,646,800.35 annually to the city.
EconomicsClimate changePolicyFood, agriculture, and environmental justice
2020Kristin Reynolds · Environmental Justice · Global
This chapter explores the intersection of food systems, agriculture, and environmental justice within social movements, activism, and scholarship. It reviews historical instances of these intersections, including indigenous peoples' movements, farmworker organizing, urban agriculture, and consumer solidarity campaigns. The chapter also discusses recent developments and future concerns connecting environmental justice, food, and agriculture with issues like climate change, gentrification, and Black Agrarianism.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyClimate changeStudy of the Improvement on Energy Efficiency for a Building in the Mediterranean Area by the Installation of a Green Roof System
2020Elisa Peñalvo López, Francisco Javier Cárcel Carrasco, David Alfonso-Solar, Iván Valencia-Salazar, Elías Hurtado-Pérez · Energies · Spain
This paper investigated the effect of a green roof on a public building's energy consumption in a Mediterranean location in Spain through experimental campaigns. Results showed a substantial 30% improvement in cooling energy demand for a standard summer day and a 15% reduction in heating energy demand for a winter day. Annual simulation analysis, calibrated with experimental data, indicated an overall 19% improvement in energy efficiency but also a 6% increase in peak power during winter.
Climate changeBiodiversityAdaptability of Tree Species as Windbreaks for Urban Farms in the U.S. Intermountain West
2020Sheriden M. Hansen, JayDee Gunnell, Anthony Whaley, Xin Dai, Cole Harding, Brent Black · Horticulturae · United States
This study in the U.S. Intermountain West assessed eight tree species for their suitability as windbreaks for urban farms, focusing on initial establishment and use at the urban–agriculture interface. Standard poplar and 'Theves' columnar poplar were most effective for rapid establishment. However, species with moderate growth rates like aspen, juniper, and hackberry may offer lower long-term maintenance costs for the region's challenging environmental conditions.
Peri-urban agricultureClimate changeAgroecology and the reconstruction of a post-COVID-19 agriculture
2020Miguel A. Altieri, Clara I. Nicholls · The Journal of Peasant Studies · Global
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the relevance of agroecology as a path to reconstruct a post-COVID-19 agriculture. Agroecology can prevent future food supply disruptions by localizing food production and consumption. Five key areas for a new post-COVID-19 agriculture include overcoming pesticide reliance, enriching natural environments, revitalizing small farms, creating alternative animal production systems, and enhancing urban agriculture.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeUrban–rural linkageEstimating effects on emissions of sharing
2020Borgar Aamaas, Robbie M. Andrew · Duo Research Archive (University of Oslo) · Global
This report, part of the SHAR(e)ON project, estimates the effects on emissions of four sharing schemes: community supported agriculture, sharing in local communities, sharing of cabins, and car sharing. The estimates are presented as scenarios or illustrations, not as likely outcomes for emissions.
CSA & TeikeiClimate changeEconomicsVers un systeme alimentaire post-croissance
2020Marie-Soleil L’Allier · Revue Possibles · Global
In recent years, citizen-led agricultural and food innovations, such as urban agriculture, community gardens, collective greenhouses, and food cooperatives, have proliferated. These initiatives operate on a logic distinct from the globalized food system, forming the seeds of a post-growth society that does not depend on economic growth. This study raises the question of how to ensure these social innovations, while holding significant transformative potential, can effectively outline an ecological transition for our food system.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeCreating urban green infrastructure where it is needed – A spatial ecosystem service-based decision analysis of green roofs in Barcelona
2019Johannes Langemeyer, Diego Wedgwood, Timon McPhearson, Francesc Baró, Anders L. Madsen, David N. Barton · The Science of The Total Environment · Spain (Barcelona)
This study developed a spatial multi-criteria screening tool in Barcelona, Spain, to prioritize green roof locations and designs for optimal ecosystem service provision. Fifteen spatial indicators and five green roof designs were analyzed and weighted by local experts. The assessment found high demand for green roof ecosystem services across Barcelona, especially in dense residential and industrial areas, with habitat, pollination, and thermal regulation being most needed, while runoff control and food production were least demanded. Naturalized roofs offered the highest potential for 87.5% of rooftop area.
CommunityBiodiversityClimate changePolicyUrban agriculture as a keystone contribution towards securing sustainable and healthy development for cities in the future
2019Siv Lene Gangenes Skar, Rocío Pineda‐Martos, Axel Timpe, Bernd Pölling, Katrin Bohn, Mart Külvik, Cecília Delgado, Celestina Pedras, Teresa A. Paço, Mirjana Ćujić, Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Antonios Chrysargyris, A. Peticilă, Gitana Alenčikienė, Hendrik Monsees, Ranka Junge · Blue-Green Systems · Global
This article discusses urban agriculture's role in creating sustainable and climate-friendly cities, drawing on 20 years of research and practice. It highlights that urban agriculture can minimize climate change effects and improve urban quality of life. Effective land use and spatial planning are crucial for establishing food production sites within cities, integrating resource streams like water, waste, and energy.
Climate changeHealthPolicyCommunityControlled Environment Food Production for Urban Agriculture
2019Celina Gómez, Christopher J. Currey, Ryan W. Dickson, Hye‐Ji Kim, Ricardo Hernández, Nadia Sabeh, Rosa E. Raudales, Robin G. Brumfield, Angela Shaw, Adam K. Wilke, Roberto G. López, Stephanie E. Burnett · HortScience · Global
This review discusses the application of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) techniques to urban agriculture (UA), driven by increased market demand for local produce. While CEA offers opportunities for year-round production and resource-use efficiency, significant challenges remain due to the high costs of production in urban settings. The review emphasizes that for urban growers to benefit, studies evaluating CEA for commercial food production must consider economic viability.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeThe underutilized role of community gardens in improving cities’ adaptation to climate change: a review
2019Mysha Clarke, Melissa Davidson, Monika Egerer, Elsa C. Anderson, Nakisha Fouch · People Place and Policy Online · United States
This paper argues that community gardens should be a prioritized element of green infrastructure to improve cities' adaptation to climate change. Community gardens can reduce urban heat islands, provide ecosystem services, and increase stormwater retention. However, a qualitative analysis of 18 policy documents for Baltimore, Chicago, and New York City, U.S.A., found that green infrastructure for climate change adaptation prioritizes rain gardens, bioswales, and green roofs, but seldom acknowledges the role of community gardens.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Agriculture as the Path to Sustainable City Development. Insights into Allotment Gardens in Andalusia
2019Barbara Maćkiewicz, Raúl Puente Asuero, Antonio Garrido Almonacid · Quaestiones Geographicae · Spain
This study investigated how urban allotment gardens in Baeza, Andalusia, Spain, affect the city’s sustainable development. The research showed that allotment gardens in Baeza endorsed all three pillars of sustainable city development: ecological, economic, and social. However, it was found that developing broader community relations on the city scale, reviving the declining local grocery market, and disseminating environmental initiatives that allotment gardens could promote and facilitate were missing.
Limited or null effectUrban–rural linkageClimate changeEconomicsCommunityROOFTOP FARMING: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL FARMING FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
2019Jha Ritesh Kumar, Bhattarai Natasha, KC Suraj, Shrestha Arjun Kumar, Kadariya Manahar · Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agricultural · Nepal
This research inspected existing practices and obstacles in rooftop farming in Nagdhungha and Birauta, Nepal. Two practitioners were interviewed and 60 non-practitioners were surveyed. Results show that rooftop farming can benefit the environment by reducing atmospheric carbon and assist urban areas by reducing stormwater management costs, with a high willingness to practice rooftop farming among urban dwellers.
Economic viabilityDIYCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeEdible urbanism 5.0
2019Alessio Russo, Giuseppe T. Cirella · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · Global
This comment examines "edible urbanism 5.0," noting that urban and peri-urban agriculture can have negative effects on city ecosystems, which urbanists and planners have largely overlooked. It highlights the need for a concept that considers trade-offs between ecosystem services and disservices, especially given current unsustainable industrial intensive farming. Edible urbanism aims to integrate food security, resilience, and social inclusion through edible green infrastructure and modern food production.
Environmental trade-offsPolicyEconomicsClimate changeBiodiversityUrban agriculture: boon or bust?
2019Martin Stuchtey, Tilmann Vahle · OpenEdition (OpenEdition) · Global
This paper discusses different types of urban agriculture (UA) to assess its potential for future food production. Conventional open-air farming is found to be rarely commercially viable for meaningful food production, though it offers community, educational, psychological, and environmental benefits. High-yielding Controlled Environment Farming (CEF), while potentially contributing substantially to food output, is highly capital and knowledge-intensive and likely to develop at city fringes due to economic considerations.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityFood educationClimate changeEvapotranspiration from Green Infrastructure: Benefit, Measurement, and Simulation
2019Youcan Feng · IntechOpen eBooks · Global
This chapter summarizes current research progress and challenges regarding the benefit, measurement, and simulation of evapotranspiration (ET) from green infrastructure (GI). ET is crucial for GI's hydrologic performance and related benefits, but classic ET equations struggle to represent variations due to urban spatial heterogeneity and GI's multi-layer designs. The underperformance of existing ET models is partly attributed to a lack of high-quality field observations for various GI types in urban settings.
Climate changeBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageFuture cities: The case for biophilic vertical cities
2019Benz Kotzen · · Global
This paper argues that vertical cities, integrating biophilia, could address the challenges of increasing global and urban populations. It suggests that these megastructures, which can include green spaces and urban agriculture, offer a compact footprint that allows for increased nature and farming in adjacent areas. While individual megastructures exist, the concept of a full vertical city has not yet been realized.
Urban–rural linkageClimate changeBiodiversityPerformance of Floating Raft Fertigation System on Water Spinach Plants (Ipomea reptans Poir.) Cultivation
2019Rizal Hadyan Fadhlillah, Sophia Dwiratna, Kharistya Amaru · Jurnal Pertanian Tropik/Jurnal Online Pertanian Tropik · Indonesia
This descriptive study, conducted on a rooftop at Padjadjaran University, investigated the performance of a floating raft fertigation system for water spinach cultivation over one growth period (16 days after transplanting). It measured water, nutrient, and electricity consumption, finding 300.63 liters of water, 3860 ml of nutrients, and 31.816 kW of electricity. The study reported good growth uniformity, 99.6 kg/m3 water use efficiency, and 72.8 kg/m2 plant productivity.
DIYClimate changeEconomicsUrban agriculture and health: assessing risks and overseeing practices
2019Christine Aubry, Nastaran Manouchehri · OpenEdition (OpenEdition) · France (Paris)
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is exposed to various forms of pollution related to cultivation methods and urban air and soil quality, with different crop types exhibiting varied reactions to pollutants. The T4P and REFUGE programs on urban farms in the Paris region, and the ADURAA and QUALISANN programs studying vegetable-growing in Antananarivo, Madagascar, aim to assess health risks and oversee practices using methodological frameworks.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyClimate changeDeploying urban agriculture solutions:a new offer for regions?
2019Loïc Couttelle · OpenEdition (OpenEdition) · Global
Veolia is exploring new urban and peri-urban agricultural production systems to address regional challenges like soil sealing and climate change. Through an innovative experimental approach with partners, an intensive and high-quality agricultural model combining aquaponics and bio-intensive vegetable microfarming has been identified. These solutions, located on available land, aim to provide ecosystem services, efficient production, and respond to consumer demand for short supply chains and traceability.
Climate changePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityAwareness and Perception of Arbaminch Town Residents about Climate Change: A Cross Sectional Study
2019Habtamu Abebe · International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources · Ethiopia
This cross-sectional study in Arbaminch town investigated community awareness of climate change and the perceived role of urban agriculture for climate resilience using a structured questionnaire. It found that 87.2% of respondents were aware of climate change, primarily through media (70.7%), family/friends (63.4%), and public meetings/seminars (28%). A significant association was observed between respondents' age, education level, and occupation with both climate change awareness and the perception of urban agriculture's importance for climate change intervention.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkageCommunityOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. growing in soil and containers for urban agriculture in developing areas
2019A. Pardini, Furio Massolino, Chiara Grassi · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
In urban agriculture in developing areas, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is a promising strategic species due to its low water and soil fertility requirements and its edible entirety. This study conducted a trial comparing the initial productivity of cladodes multiplied in pots, car tires, and open fields. Results suggest that the prickly pear can be cropped better in large exhausted tires than in small plots, also saving money on materials.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeFuturistic Urbanism- Integrating Farming into Urban Landscape for Sustainable Development
2019· International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE) · Global
Unplanned urban expansion leads to the conversion of farmland, causing urban environmental degradation and food security concerns. This paper analyzes the correlation between urban farming and supporting food demands in urban areas. It further discusses critical challenges and opportunities for promoting urban farming as a significant tool for encouraging balanced sustenance in urban areas.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyDiagnostic Agronomique de la Riziculture Périurbaine dans la Commune de Ziguinchor au Sénégal
2019Maurice Dasylva, Ngor Ndour, Bienvenu Sambou, Sara Danielle Dieng · European Scientific Journal ESJ · Senegal (Ziguinchor)
In Ziguinchor, Senegal, the peri-urban rice farming system contributes to food security but is ignored by decision-makers and suffers from urbanization and physicochemical changes in rice field soils. An agronomic diagnosis, based on 180 yield squares (1/4m side) installed in 4 peri-urban valleys, showed average yields of 4.79 ± 0.35 t.ha-1. However, urbanization, silting, acidification, and progressive salinization of soils are the main limiting factors for this production system.
Governance failurePeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyThe role of cooperation amongst cities, universities, research bodies and civil society organizations Food on Urban Policies in Africa as innovative actions in the cadre of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.
2019Valerio Bini, Maria Bottiglieri, Egidio Dansero, Andrea Magarini, Yota Nicolarea, Roberto Sensi · · Africa
This paper explores urban food policies from a Global South perspective, focusing on African cities and their unique urbanization processes and city-food linkages. It describes an overview of initiatives in African cities, aligning with the New Urban Agenda and Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, to promote new forms of cooperation among cities, universities, research bodies, and civil society organizations. The paper aims to identify cross-cutting issues like land tenure, climate change, and urban agriculture to compare cases across different African perspectives.
PolicyFood sovereignty & justiceClimate change