Research & reports

Carol Posthumus · SABI Magazine - Tydskrif · South Africa (Cape Town)

Abalimi Bezekhaya, a community-supported agricultural organization in Cape Town, operates a network of approximately 5000 small-scale organic farmers across various areas of the Cape Flats. The organization views the city as a farm, contributing to fresh food security.

Jessica Chen, Shawn DiPardo, Yuliana Hermanto, Amy Jennermann, Lyviana Mananta, Sharon Lee, Alanna Jean Schroeder · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

This student project at the University of British Columbia focused on expanding the LFS Garden to enhance organic production, provide food, and offer interdisciplinary learning opportunities. The group reviewed literature and consulted stakeholders to devise a business proposal for the garden's development, covering aspects like management, layout, and educational integration. The project also designed a garden layout and established a garden management committee.

Jill L. Edmondson, Zoe G. Davies, Kevin J. Gaston, Jonathan R. Leake · Journal of Applied Ecology · United Kingdom

This study compared soil quality indicators (soil organic carbon storage, total nitrogen, C:N ratio, and bulk density) in urban allotments, surrounding agricultural land, and other urban greenspaces in a typical UK city. Allotment soils showed 32% higher soil organic carbon concentrations and 36% higher C:N ratios than pastures and arable fields, and 25% higher total nitrogen and 10% lower bulk density than arable soils. The study reported no significant difference in soil organic carbon concentration between allotments and urban non-domestic greenspaces, but it was higher in domestic gardens beneath woody vegetation.

S.J.E. Verzandvoort, G. Mol, Suzanne van der Meulen, Niels van Oostrom · Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · Global

This literature review collected knowledge on the potential benefits of urban agriculture within local food systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation. It found that the effects of urban agriculture depend on the specific agricultural practice and the difference from previous land use. Certain types of urban agriculture can alter the urban environment, influencing climate adaptation or contributing to mitigation through lower energy inputs.

Dwi A. Nirwana · International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis · Global

This study investigated the community role of civil society in household waste management and urban farming for achieving sustainable development, using a case study method. Data was collected through physical observation, interviews, and literature review. The results indicate that the community plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development.

Daniela Peña Corvillon · Kobra (Universitätsbibliothek Kassel) · Cuba

The Palma Project in Palma Soriano, Cuba, is an experiment using cultural identity to address ecological degradation. It employs environmental, social, and urban analyses to develop a master plan for wastewater treatment, reforestation, urban agriculture, and public space utilization along the Cauto River. The project aims to improve quality of life, provide potable water, restore the riparian zone, and create new food production opportunities.

Géraldine Farges · Sociologia Ruralis · France

This one-year ethnographic study analyzed the integration of pro-environmental practices among amateur gardeners in a French urban allotment. Through observations and repeat interviews, it found that while gardeners adopted new techniques, the meanings of their practices and their environmental relationships differed. The diffusion of pro-environmental practices was not systematically linked to shared concerns, and practices were interpreted differently by policymakers and individuals.

Cunwang Cheng, Yan Shi · · China

A 2012 plasticizer scandal in China's liquor industry, which caused significant market value losses, highlighted food safety concerns. This context encourages urban organic farming, a multi-functional system that combines organic and urban agriculture. Urban organic farming shortens traditional industrial chains and is driven by the urban middle class, aligning with modern agricultural development.

Claire McDonnell · · Ireland (Dublin)

This case study examined community-based learning and research projects at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), including soil analysis in a community garden, from 2007 onwards. Analyzing student reflective accounts, questionnaires, and assessment grades, the study found improvements in learner engagement, confidence, and appreciation for real-world subject application. However, issues were identified regarding the level of critical thinking and self-awareness in some students' reflective writing, leading to the introduction of a framework to support reflective practice.

Olle Lind · · Sweden (Malmö)

This study tested bokashi fermentation leachate from four food waste sources in Malmö and Lund, Sweden, on pak choi in sand, garden waste compost, and peat substrates to evaluate its potential as a biofertilizer in urban farming. The leachates were generally low in nitrogen, leading to poor plant growth in nitrogen-poor substrates, though they were high in potassium and phosphorus. Avoidable food waste contained higher sodium and chloride than unavoidable food waste, suggesting unavoidable food waste is a more suitable source for bokashi leachate fertilizer.

Jan Jansen · · Global

This research explored how insects can add value to urban farming by up-cycling waste streams into high-grade nutrients and compost, focusing on their use as animal feed. Through expert interviews with urban farming practitioners and pet owners (165 respondents, 59 in urban environments), a concept was developed for growing black soldier fly larvae on organic waste to replace meat in carnivorous animal diets, specifically for dogs. Over half of urban respondents indicated no municipal green waste pickup, and over 50% practiced urban farming.

Leslie Vorraber, María Sebastián López, Esteve Fernández, Marcelo Scofano · Redalyc (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México) · Argentina (Flores)

Since 2012, the University of Flores (UFLO) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has implemented an Urban Agriculture Development Program. This program creates organic garden models with various production systems and designs, utilizing recycled materials and urban-adapted formats, to be promoted in community productive spaces. It involves monitoring and evaluating physical-chemical parameters of system components to ensure optimal development and the use of seasonal species adapted to the local climate.

Balan Viorica, V. Tudor, Oana Mencinicopschi, Carmen Gabriela Manole, Baia Sprie · AgroLife Scientific Journal · Romania (Bucharest)

Multidisciplinary research at UASVM of Bucharest recommended specific varieties and biotypes with sanogene characteristics suitable for cultivation in urban and suburban gardens. These included Deea, Elita 124, and Roxia from black currant; Rolan and Jh. Van Tets from red currant; V2 biotype from wolfberry; and Rares, Valeria, Carmela, Viorica, Bucovina, and Ilinca from apricot. These selections were based on characteristics such as early fruiting, production under ecological conditions, low to medium shrub and tree volume, plant density, high self-compatibility, and the quality, organoleptic, biochemical, and sanogene properties of the fruits.

Márcio Aleksandro Daniel, Ednaldo Michellon, Aline Midori Takemura, Jéssica Brasau da Silva, Willian Scanacapra · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil

The Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Reference Center (CERAUP) in Brazil implements a school garden project for students aged 6 to 12, funded by MEC/Proext. This project teaches vegetable cultivation and the importance of agroecological foods, fostering teamwork and learning in subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and geography. The project has been ongoing for over a year, with agronomy and pedagogy interns participating under the guidance of agronomists.

R. Panwala, Alyssa Joyce, Manuel R. Reyes · VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) · Global

Natuculture is defined as any human-made system that mimics nature in human-disturbed landscapes. It is an agroecologically balanced and biologically diverse system designed for food production, stormwater treatment, and recreation.

Anna Gaviglio, Alberto Pirani, Mattia Bertocchi · Advanced engineering forum · Italy (Milan)

This study assessed the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of farms within the South Milan Agricultural Park (PASM), based on interactions between the Milan metropolitan area and surrounding agricultural activities. The survey was conducted using an indicator-based tool to compare farms, with data collected from various sources. Results indicated that PASM's efforts provided valid economic tools for large multifunctional farms, deeply tied to the local context through services like direct sales, short chains, and agritourism, contributing to improved environmental conditions and landscape. However, large and small specialized farms lacking these income sources did not receive equal contribution.

Yuki Sampei, Yuji Hara, Akinobu Murakami, Armand PALIJON, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Makoto Yokohari · Journal of The Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture · Philippines (Metro Manila)

The nitrogen supply-demand balance in compost and vegetable production on vacant lots in suburban residential districts of Quezon City, Metro Manila, was assessed. Analysis revealed that almost half of the subdivisions faced nitrogen oversupply, while several were in short supply. Current centralized composting facilities may not adequately support a continuous compost recycling system due to their distribution patterns. It was proposed that existing barangay-based policies on organic waste management and urban agriculture require greater flexibility and attention to coordination systems across subdivision boundaries.

Anjar Lulu Sakinah, Enny Zulaika · Jurnal Sains dan Seni ITS · Indonesia

This study aimed to isolate Azotobacter strains from the Eco Urban Farming ITS land in Indonesia that are resistant to HgCl2 and potentially produce mercury reductase enzymes. Ten HgCl2-resistant Azotobacter isolates were obtained, with isolates A5, A6, and A9 showing the highest resistance at 20 mg/L HgCl2. Isolates A5 and A9 were identified as having the potential to produce mercury reductase enzymes.

Yuki Sampei, Yuji Hara, Akinobu Murakami, Armando M. Palijon, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Makoto Yokohari · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Philippines

This study assessed the nitrogen supply-demand balance in compost and vegetable production on vacant lots in subdivisions and barangays in Quezon City, Metro Manila, using GIS. It found that nearly half of the subdivisions experienced nitrogen oversupply, while others faced shortages. Although cooperation among subdivisions within a barangay could improve nitrogen balance, the current centralized composting facilities were deemed insufficient to support a continuous compost recycling system due to their distribution patterns. The study concluded that current barangay-based policies on organic waste management and urban agriculture need greater flexibility and attention to inter-subdivision coordination across barangay boundaries.

Allan John Komakech, Noble Banadda, Joel R. Kinobe, Levi Kasisira, Cecilia Sundberg, Girma Gebresenbet, Björn Vinnerås · Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association · Uganda (Kampala)

A study characterized municipal waste in Kampala, Uganda, from July 2011 to June 2012, analyzing waste delivered to Kiteezi landfill during dry and wet months. Waste was sorted, weighed, and organic samples were analyzed for nutrients and energy content. Findings showed that organic waste constituted 88.5% in wet months and 94.8% in dry months, with an average moisture content of 71.1% and significant nutrient levels. The organic waste was concluded to be a suitable source of plant nutrients for urban agriculture, with characterization results differing from other Sub-Saharan African cities.

Guang Zhao · Applied Mechanics and Materials · Global

This paper presents a concept for building-integrated decentralized technologies for wastewater and organic waste treatment with energy and nutrient recovery, termed a "sustainable implant," for deep green housing districts. It explores the potentials of integrating solutions for energy and sanitation flows near their origin, linking sanitation to energy and food production. The system layout and dimensioning are explained, noting scale limitations and its application in a unique intentional community, with no other similar urban district-scale projects found worldwide.

Zhang Yu-me · Jingji wenti · China (Beijing)

This study analyzed the decoupling relationship between urban agriculture development and carbon emissions in Beijing, China, using the Tapio elastic method. Findings indicate that Beijing maintained agricultural self-sufficiency while carbon emissions decreased annually. The relationship between agricultural economic growth and carbon emissions shifted from recession decoupling to strong decoupling. Livestock, particularly cattle, swine, and poultry, were major carbon sources, suggesting the need for scientific feeding and improved feed conversion rates for sustainable urban agriculture.

Alain Peoule Kouhouyiwo GOMGNIMBOU, Birjees Hassan, A. Sanon, P.M. Sedogo, Martinez, J. · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · Africa

A study evaluating the effect of pig and cattle manure application on soil chemical parameters of Lixisols in the Bobo-Dioulasso area of Burkina Faso, framed around the potential for organic waste fertilizers in urban and peri-urban agriculture to maintain soil fertility and support food security. Eight farms using animal waste and some non-cultivated plots were identified in 2012, and soil samples were taken for chemical analysis. Pig manure use lowered soil pH (H2O) by 0.46 units at 0-10 cm depth and 0.51 units at 10-20 cm, while increasing organic carbon and nitrogen content and easily absorbed phosphorus at both depths. Cattle manure use raised total potassium to 1,210 ppm at 0-10 cm and 1,351 ppm at 10-20 cm, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) to 7.18 meq/100g, about three times that of unmanured plots. The study concludes animal manure could be an alternative to costly chemical fertilizers.

L. Fernández, Walter Alejandro Muiño, Pablo Valentín Ermini · Americanae (AECID Library) · Latin America

This ethnobotanical study examines the knowledge, uses and meanings that gardeners in the Zona Norte and Villa Germinal neighborhoods of Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina, attach to weeds -- spontaneous plant species growing alongside cultivated crops. It collected and identified 57 weed species, found that roughly half of informants remove weeds without using them while the rest use them mainly as fertiliser and animal feed, that the most frequently cited use in the literature is medicinal, and that Cynodon dactylon ("gramilla") was the species appearing most often in the gardens while also being regarded as a "pest."

Ávila Martínez, Yury Carolina · · Global

The Women Entrepreneurs Marie Poussepin Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes entrepreneur training in both product and service lines, currently supporting women through courses and workshops to develop as entrepreneurs in the urban agriculture and ecological art lines (2014). This project focused on creating a cost structure that would be easy to understand, complete and workable for both the foundation and the women entrepreneurs, addressing a latent and visible need, since it had been unclear how much value vegetable production actually generated.