Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1500 results(41 / 60)
Unemployment and Homelessness in the City of Poznań in 1929-1939
2014Marcin Graban · Pressto (Uniwersytetu Adama Mickiewicza) · Poland (Poznań)
The Polish National General Exhibition in Poznań in 1929 attracted many laborers, who later contributed to the unemployed population during the 1930s economic crisis, exacerbating the housing crisis in Poznań. City authorities initially housed the homeless in former exhibition grounds as an interim measure. For a more permanent solution, the city redeveloped allotments or community gardens by building purpose-built residential garden huts or sheds.
CommunityWelfarePolicyUrban–rural linkagePermaculture Design: On the Practice of Radical Imagination
2014Katja Rothe · Scholarworks (University of Massachusetts Amherst) · Global
This article examines permaculture design, developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, not only as an application of systems theory but also as a form of figurative, ecological reasoning. Permaculture challenges the division between theory and practice, or rationality and sensibility, inextricably linking these modes of knowledge in explorations of patterns. Specifically, it describes permaculture design thought through three aspects: visual thinking in patterns, the role of radical imagination and speculation, and systems theory thought drawing from the Gaia hypothesis.
DIYCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changePeri urban agriculture as a new strategy of urban development: A case study in Cenaia, Pisa
2014S. Mecca B. Özel · · Italy (Pisa)
Rapid urbanization has led to negative consequences such as urban poor, primarily formed in suburbs. The physical expansion of cities occurs more in suburbs, causing "urban sprawl" into rural areas beyond their boundaries, resulting in the loss of agricultural lands and stress on the surrounding natural environment.
Peri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPolicySowing Vegetables and Reaping Morality – Ideals on the Benefits of Kitchen Gardening
2014Jenny Lee · · Global
This paper traces the history of kitchen gardens and their relationship to urban food provisioning, examining how domestic fruit and vegetable production was influenced by commercial production, new distribution methods, and kitchen technology. It discusses how, around 1900, kitchen gardens were viewed as solutions for food scarcity and urban moral hazards, and how gardening evolved from a necessity to a pastime. The paper also notes a recent revival of interest in home food production, highlighting its renewed moral significance in response to the modern food system.
CommunityHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban Land Use Decouples Plant-Herbivore-Parasitoid Interactions at Multiple Spatial Scales
2014Amanda E. Nelson, Andrew A. Forbes · PLoS ONE · Global
This study sampled two plant-herbivore-parasitoid systems across 250 sites in a 360 km2 urban/agricultural landscape to investigate the impact of human development on trophic interactions. It found that herbivorous insect densities were decoupled from host tree densities in urban landcover types at several spatial scales. Furthermore, a parasitoid species was absent from all urban/suburban landcover in one system, even where its herbivore host was common, indicating that human land use patterns limit specialist insect distributions due to dispersal constraints.
Environmental trade-offsBiodiversityPollinatorsUrban–rural linkageSuburban dirt
2014de Vries, Arianna · · United States (New Jersey)
This study investigated three large-format suburban community gardens, each with over one hundred plots, in Central New Jersey, United States. Using geospatial mapping, on-site observation, and interviews with coordinators and gardeners, the research explored participation reasons and the suburban conditions fostering these gardens. It found that suburban gardeners participate for reasons similar to their urban counterparts, but the suburban context significantly shapes how these motivations are defined and described.
CommunityPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkage공동주택단지 내 도시농업 도입 및 계획방안 연구
2014오주석, 김세용 · 한국도시설계학회지 도시설계 · South Korea (Seoul)
This study aims to efficiently introduce and improve the quality of urban agriculture in apartment complexes in South Korea. Focusing on one apartment complex in Seoul, the research analyzed sunlight conditions and resident preferences to identify suitable idle land for urban agriculture. The study derived appropriate crops based on soil depth, sunlight, and support conditions of the idle land, proposing cultivation area calculations, a development plan, and an operational and support system.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageSpatial differentiation of urban agricultural ecosystem services—A case study of Xi’an metropolitan zone
2014Haijian Feng, Zhongxue Zhou · Zhongguo shengtai nongye xuebao · China (Xi'an)
This study analyzed the spatial differentiation of urban agricultural functions in the Xi'an metropolitan zone, China, using ArcGIS grid technology at a 0.5 km × 0.5 km scale. Findings showed that production-economic function increased from southwest to northeast and from near-suburban to mid-far-suburban plains, while employment function was lower in the Qinling mountainous area than in plains. Cultural-leisure function exhibited a concentric spatial structure, and ecological function decreased from the urban periphery to the center, with severe fragmentation of ecological function value distribution areas.
BiodiversityClimate changeUrban–rural linkage济南呈现“天桥特色”都市农业
2014王长亮, 王玉 · 农产品市场周刊 · China (Jinan)
This article discusses the concept of "urban agriculture," which originated in the United States in the 1950s and 60s. It defines urban agriculture as modern agriculture in urbanized areas that utilizes rural landscapes, natural ecology, and environmental resources for leisure, tourism, education, and innovation. The text suggests that the development of urban and sightseeing agriculture has promising prospects due to increasing demand for green food and ecological environments.
Urban–rural linkageFood educationCommunityEconomics北京：走“都市型”现代特色农业之路
2014赵子军 · 中国标准化 · China (Beijing)
This article discusses the path for agricultural modernization in Beijing, China, emphasizing a "city-type" modern agriculture. "City-type" modern agriculture is defined as highly intensive and multifunctional agriculture developed near cities in blurred urban-rural boundaries. It aims to provide urban residents with quality agricultural products and beautiful ecological environments, as well as spaces for leisure, agricultural experiences, and rural understanding.
Urban–rural linkageCommunityBiodiversityEconomicsCommunity Voices: The Postville Oral History Project Recording with Judy Egeland
2014Judy Egeland · UNI ScholarWorks (University of Northern Iowa) · United States (Postville)
This oral history project recording features Judy Egeland, a master gardener and Vice President of the Diversity Council in Postville, United States. Egeland, who moved to Postville in 1970, was instrumental in establishing a community garden and a school garden in the rural town. The community garden is noted for bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.
CommunityFood educationUrban–rural linkage도시농업의 이론, 패러다임 및 유형 분석을 통한 지속가능한 개발방향에 관한 연구
2014한주형, 장동민 · · Global
This study aimed to propose sustainable development directions for urban agriculture by analyzing its theories, paradigms, and types. It classified urban agriculture definitions into five types, identified four similar concepts, and defined sustainable urban agriculture theory using four keywords: eco-environmentalism, human socialism, high-tech, and capital economy. The study also derived 16 development types for urban agriculture, suggesting its evolution into a "new 6th industry" through a feedback linkage from primary to fifth industries.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsClimate changeDigital agricultureLos latidos de la tierra: Arte ecologico para acompasar nuestros ritmos
2014Ma Isabel Soler Ruiz, Pilar Soto Sánchez · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
This paper reviews the evolution of ecological movements from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s, focusing on the defense of natural spaces and urban sustainability actions. It examines collective initiatives like the reforestation of abandoned industrial areas and the creation of urban gardens, as well as individual artistic actions that aim to reconnect viewers with the earth.
CommunityDIYUrban–rural linkage공동주택단지 내 도시농업 도입 및 계획방안 연구- 계획지표 도출 및 적용방안을 중심으로
2014오주석 · · South Korea
This research aims to improve urban circumstances and boost the quality of domestic urban agriculture by exploring ways to introduce and implement urban agriculture in multi-family housing complexes. The paper first analyzes the current status of urban agriculture via a literature review.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageLocal Food Futures and Healthy Communities: Role of Sustainable Practices
2014Dilip Ghosh, Debasis Bagchi, Tetsuya Konishi · · Global
This study highlights the importance of local food movements and urban agriculture, citing Havana, Cuba, as an example of self-reliance achieved through food growing in urban spaces. In 1999, allotment gardens in London produced 232,000 tons of fruits and vegetables, supplying 18% of the population's daily intake. Urban food growing spaces encompass diverse typologies, varying in their production potential and health contributions.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityHealthUrban–rural linkageContribución desde Cuba a la actualización de los términos campesinado, agricultura urbana y soberanía alimentaria
2014Angelina Herrera Sorzano · Veredas: Revista del Pensamiento Sociológico · Cuba
This article from Cuba addresses the terms "rural peasantry," "urban agriculture," and "food sovereignty" from a Cuban perspective. It aims to update knowledge on these concepts, which are considered basic pillars of rural development and food needs satisfaction in Latin American and Caribbean rural development.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyUrban–rural linkagePolicies and practices of urban and peri-urban agriculture: a great deal of participation but a little public action/ Politiche e pratiche dell’agricoltura urbana e periurbana: molta partecipazione e poca azione pubblica
2014Giuseppe Cinà · PORTO Publications Open Repository TOrino (Politecnico di Torino) · Italy
This paper examines Italian planning, highlighting an unresolved discrepancy between urban and agricultural policies due to a long-standing separation of urban and rural worlds. It outlines how this historical gap results in two inconsistent and low-effective policies. The paper discusses agricultural parks as an attempt to overcome this planning backwardness by integrating spatial planning and agricultural activity, documenting three Italian examples.
Governance failurePolicyPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkageCommunity立足城边村,实现整体人居体系城乡融合：以珠三角地区为例
2014郑书剑 · 国际城市规划 · China (Pearl River Delta)
This paper discusses "Cheng Bian Cun" (peri-urban villages) in China's Pearl River Delta region, identifying them as distinct settlements with diverse functions like housing low-income residents, suburban commerce, small industries, and urban agriculture. It argues that these functions are crucial for the overall human settlement system, but the current urban-rural dual system hinders their flexibility. The paper proposes that urban-rural planning should focus on integration, address land system limitations, and meet the needs for upgraded services and land resource market entry to improve residential rights and guide free operations in these villages.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyPeri-urban agricultureCommunity Gardens Versus Family Gardens? Urban Reform and Controversies Around the Beautiful Garden and its Legitimate
2014Arnaud Frauenfelder, Christophe Delay, Laure Scalambrin · Espaces et sociétés · Switzerland (Geneva)
This article examines a contemporary urban reform in Geneva concerning family gardens, whose status is now in competition with new forms of community gardens. While the reform is presented as necessary, spokespersons for family allotment associations welcome it with some reservation. Social actors' positions for or against the reform implicitly refer to different socially situated modes of gardening and lifestyles, revealing that "urban agriculture" masks heterogeneous social meanings behind a visible consensus.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageCurrent State of Development and Strategy Selection of Urban Agriculture in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
2014Jiang Lu · Nongye jingji yu guanli · China (Beijing)
This study analyzed the current state of urban agriculture development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, focusing on aspects like leading industry and farmers' income. It found that while the urban agriculture layout was basically formed, significant problems exist. These include resource and environmental crises, a lack of integrated regional planning, imperfect municipal systems, and challenges in upgrading the agricultural industry.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageClimate changeConnotation,Patterns and Paths of Urban Agriculture Park
2014You Minglu · Guizhou nongye kexue · China
This study defines urban agriculture parks as urban parks integrating ecology, green, humanity, and industry, based on an organic combination of urban and agricultural elements. It proposes strategic thinking and overall design for the development of Tongren's urban agriculture park, drawing on experience reference and practical research, considering the city's natural landscape and agricultural industry features. The study also analyzes different development patterns in specific villages within Tongren City to propose a specific development idea for Tongren as an ecological tourist city.
Urban–rural linkageCommunityPolicyEconomicsALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ORGANIC SECTOR HORIZONCOMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE IN HUNGARY
2014Zoltán Dezsény, Bálint Balázs, Katalin Réthy · · Hungary
This study explored farm enterprises following Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) practices in Hungary. The research confirmed that CSA can be identified as a sustainable rural business strategy for innovative organic farmers. It also has transformative potential for food-system localization, providing decent livelihood, good care of natural resources, and strengthening social cohesion within the rural-urban interface in Hungary.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityUrban–rural linkageLandscape As A Resource For Squat Farming
2014Attila Tóth, Ľubica Feriancová · Acta horticulturae et regiotecturae · Spain (Barcelona)
This study investigated squat farming as a typology of urban agriculture, focusing on the case study of Can Masdeu, a squatted and cultivated land at the northern city border of Barcelona, Spain. It aimed to understand how landscape and urban structures are influenced by land cultivation and how the social dimension of squat farming is structured. Spatial and perceptual analyses were applied, and users were interviewed through discussions and questionnaires, with results describing the spatial and social characteristics of squat farming at Can Masdeu.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePolicyPortrait rural de Rhône-Alpes : l’agriculture. Agriculture rurale, agriculture urbaine : une différence toute relative
2014Annabelle Schaffner · · France
Based on 2010 census data, this study analyzed agricultural holdings in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Nearly 25,000 out of 39,000 agricultural holdings were located in rural communes, but their proportion is decreasing due to urban expansion. Structural differences between rural and urban farms are minor, mainly related to geographical location or production type. However, their economic weight differs significantly: agricultural employment accounts for over 10% of total employment in rural areas, compared to only 1% in urban areas.
Urban–rural linkageEconomicsTheory of Connotation and Path of“Modern Agriculture into Town”
2014Liu Hong-yi · Nongye xiandaihua yanjiu · Global
This paper discusses the concept of "modern agriculture into town," or urban agriculture, covering various city sizes and urban agglomeration areas. Findings indicate that urban farming is viable only when the comprehensive utility of agricultural output per town's land equals or exceeds that of non-agricultural industries. Urban agriculture is characterized by marketability, high profitability, public goods, and vulnerability, and requires national food security, agricultural scientific progress, and reduced industrial-agricultural disparity.
PolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justice