Research & reports

Emily Holmes · · Global

This chapter explores the potential of community-based agriculture as a practice of peace and active non-violence. Community-based agriculture encompasses various methods of growing food for local communities, including urban community gardens, urban farms, and small, biodiverse rural farms. These forms of agriculture are distinguished from conventional, industrial, or monocultural practices by their commitment to sustainable and organic growing methods, and their dedication to local communities.

Britta Baumgarten · Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) · Portugal

In Portugal, the impact of the 2011 socio-economic crisis on alternative projects, including urban gardening groups, in both urban and rural areas was analyzed. The study used data from an analysis of internet pages and a questionnaire on the impact of the socio-economic crisis on Rede Convergir projects in 2015. The findings strengthen the argument that the crisis had an adverse effect on resilience projects, supported by case studies from other crisis-affected countries and empirical observations in Portugal.

Igor Villares de Carvalho, Paola Branduini · Revista Urbano · Brazil (Recife)

Addressing the issue of abandoned and unclear urban agricultural heritage in many South American cities, this study focused on the Várzea neighborhood in Recife, Brazil, applying principles from the European Landscape Convention and findings from COST Action Urban - Agriculture Europe (2011-16). It noted that the tangible and intangible rural heritage of Várzea, a region settled by Europeans in the 16th century for sugarcane cultivation and remaining rural until the 20th century, is disconnected from the current population and conservation practices. To mitigate this problem, the article proposes guidelines for the regeneration of this heritage and the improvement of cases related to the area's rural background.

肇 石原, Hajime ISHIHARA · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Japan

Since 1990, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has seen a decrease in agricultural land area and the number of farm households, particularly in Nagoya City and its surrounding municipalities. While the reduction in productive green space and full-time farmers was moderate, engagement in agriculture-related businesses, excluding direct sales, was not extensive. A polarization was observed between municipalities active and inactive in designating productive green spaces, posing a challenge for future land use planning.

Guo-sheng MA, Juan Chen · DEStech Transactions on Engineering and Technology Research · China (Suzhou)

This study analyzed the current problems and strategic objectives of modern urban agriculture in Suzhou, China. It proposed measures including optimizing the spatial form of "four million acres," building a modern agricultural industry system, cultivating modern agricultural management entities, and enhancing agricultural technology and ecological protection. The aim was to improve agricultural specialization, innovation, and leisure tourism.

Viviana Ferrario · TERRITORIO · Italy (Padova)

This paper examines the renewed general interest in agriculture as a food producer, possibly due to conditions posed by the crisis of the late 2000s. It uses the recent case of a large agricultural area in the southwest quadrant of Padova, known as 'Basso Isonzo', to update territorial interpretations and design strategies in light of the increasing importance of food production, transformation, and consumption.

Ophélie Robineau, Christophe‐Toussaint Soulard · Natures Sciences Sociétés · Africa

This article emphasizes the utility of the agri-urban system concept for analyzing expanding urban agriculture and the complex relationships between cities and agriculture, moving beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Based on a case study in Bobo-Dioulasso, West Africa, it aims to develop a framework for understanding these relationships at the city and regional scale. It distinguishes three groups of city-agriculture interactions: spatio-historical, interactions between the current urban system and agriculture, and interactions within the urban agrarian system, seeking to identify factors influencing the diversity and future of urban agriculture.

Lisa M. Butler Harrington · Geographical Review · United States

This study in the United States identified connections to ideals of rurality in popular culture, despite the shrinking rural population. Based on literature, field observation, computer searches, and U.S. Census of Agriculture data, manifestations include rural tourism, small-scale farming, urban agriculture, farmers’ markets, and housing developments centered on farm activities. These idealized relationships with rurality are linked to health, well-being, nature connection, aesthetics, privacy, and nostalgia.

Stephanie Nuria Spijker, Constanza Parra · Journal of Environmental Planning and Management · Europe

This paper discusses the potential of social innovations to transform urban green spaces in Groningen and London, applying the concept of socio-ecological practices to urban and guerrilla gardening. Based on document analysis, interviews, and garden observations, the study examines links between behavioral drivers, social innovation, and green space governance. It finds that underlying motivations like values and self-efficacy contribute to place-keeping transformations, suggesting socio-ecological practices can generate socially innovative physical, social, and policy changes in urban green space governance.

Ida Åberg, Sophia E. Hagolani‐Albov · · Europe

This study states that urban agriculture is a phenomenon occurring in built environments that does not necessarily disrupt the city's form and function. It mentions the close proximity to nature in urban areas but does not elaborate on its details in the abstract.

Dominique Massé, Moussa N’Diénor, Edmond Hien, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Yacine Badiane Ndour, Alfonse Bilgo, Serge Houot, Christine Aubry · IRD Éditions eBooks · Sub-Saharan Africa

This chapter reviews research since 2006 on composting urban waste and using municipal landfill screenings in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ouagadougou, urban waste compost significantly increased sorghum yields (2 to 5 times higher than controls) over two years, with phosphorus content being crucial when concentrated at plant level, and mineralization rate determining yield when spread. In Madagascar, soil from the Andralanitra landfill showed value as an amendment or fertilizer for tomato cultivation, though application principles and safety need definition. However, municipal landfill screenings from Dakar did not achieve yields comparable to horse manure when tested on tomato crops.

Lidia Poniży, Kamila Stachura · Quaestiones Geographicae · Poland (Poznań)

This case study of Poznań, Poland, examines urban spatial policy regarding allotment gardens. It finds that despite their importance as green infrastructure, allotment gardens receive little attention in city plans and policies, and face threats from investment pressure due to an underestimation of their role. The study emphasizes that preserving these gardens relies on local spatial planning.

Leigh Adcock · Iowa State University Digital Repository (Iowa State University) · United States

This directory lists 105 Iowa farms operating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprises. For each farm, contact information, website links, available produce, and distribution range are provided.

Duncan Hilchey · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

This combined spring and summer issue of JAFSCD highlights the growing interest in food systems resilience, presenting various strategies such as supporting critical organizational and physical infrastructure along with social capital, incubating new farmers, protecting farm landscapes, using season-extending technology, and supporting labor. It also emphasizes adapting to climate change and creating stronger connections between farmers and residents in need who are in close geographic proximity. The issue includes columns on Latinx/Hispanic issues in food systems work, the role of "freedom farmers" in the civil rights movement, and the under-appreciated contribution of urban agriculture to communities.

Bernd Pölling, Marcus Mergenthaler · Sustainability · Germany (Ruhr Metropolis)

This empirical study investigates determinants of diversification strategies among 123 urban farmers in Germany's Ruhr Metropolis using binary logit models. "Deepening" strategies (e.g., direct sales) are encouraged by larger farm sizes, high-value production, organic farming, and livestock. "Broadening" strategies (e.g., tourism, care farming) are prevalent on smaller farms with horses and higher grassland shares. Proximity to the city increases the likelihood of both diversification types.

Jackie W.Y. Ng · DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) · Singapore

The objective of this study is to propose water retention features to reduce peak urban runoff at source during storm events in an urbanized area. The report focuses on applications in a decentralized area with a centralized system. The three main proposed features are water towers, rooftop gardens (planter tanks), and permeable pavements, intended for implementation in residential housings such as HDB public housings. The study aims to determine how much water can be delayed during high rainfall, and computations and reasoning for these features are discussed.

Henny Sri Mulyani R, Asep Agus Handaka Suryana, Dadang Sugiana · EDUTECH · Indonesia (Bandung)

This qualitative descriptive study in Bandung City, Indonesia, investigated the communication model used by the Department of Agriculture and Food Security to disseminate the "Kampung Berkebun" urban farming program. The program involved two activities: disseminating information to subdistrict and village heads, and providing training to up to 50 residents per village. The communication model employed was found to be both mechanistic and interactional, drawing from David K Berlo (1960) and Schramm (1954) models.

Clement Anguh Nkwemoh, Mesmin Tchindjang, Roland Ngwatung Afungang · International Journal of Innovative Research and Development · Cameroon (Yaounde)

A study in Yaounde, Cameroon, investigated the impact of rapid urban expansion on vegetation cover using maps, images, questionnaires, and interviews. The findings revealed a significant depletion of flora due to settlement expansion. Forest degradation was attributed to the demand for construction materials, fuelwood, woodworking, and the need for space for urban agriculture, among other factors.

Luca Salvati, Lorenza Gasparella, Michele Munafò, Raoul Romano, Anna Barbati · Annals of Silvicultural Research · Italy (Rome)

This paper quantified the impact of urban expansion on the Roman Campagna's landscape characteristics between 1974 and 2008. Using spatial pattern analysis and multi-factor analysis to assess changes in landscape composition and structure, the study found that the distinctive features of the Roman Campagna landscape are now blurred. A generalized landscape mixité was generated by the juxtaposition of different fragmented land uses.

Marlinde Koopmans, Daniel Keech, Lucie Sovová, Matthew Reed · Moravian Geographical Reports · Europe

This paper analyzed urban agriculture (UA) and place-making in Ghent, Brno, and Bristol, using a spatial lens across three case studies. It revealed that local authorities struggle to find space for UA, leading to its frequent, often temporary, emergence in marginal areas vulnerable to planning changes. The analysis exposed inherent tensions within UA, conceptualized as tensions between abstract space and concrete place narratives. It was suggested that UA, as a collective socio-cultural process, can transform functionally replicable spaces into unique places, contributing to place-making, and urban planning should secure physical spaces and create possibilities for local autonomous governance.

Cynthia Natalia, Yusita Kusumarini, Jean Francois Poillot · Intra · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Surabaya, an interior design for a hydroponic education facility was developed to address the lack of farmlands and sub-optimal existing facilities. Using a design thinking methodology, the project resulted in a design incorporating a climate control system for optimal plant growth and visitor comfort. This design aims to optimize educational activities through the use of eco-friendly materials, maximized natural light, and good air quality.

Miriam Bodino · PORTO Publications Open Repository TOrino (Politecnico di Torino) · Global

Given the clear limits to growth, this study argues for a better definition and application of sustainable development, particularly in urban areas. It proposes envisioning a de-growth society, emphasizing resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in urban regeneration. The use of Third Landscape, public spaces, and urban agriculture is suggested as a more sustainable approach to urban transformation.

肇 石原, Hajime ISHIHARA · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Japan

This study examined changes in urban agriculture in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, since 1990, finding a weakening of the agricultural management base. While the decline in productive green space and full-time farmers was limited, engagement in agriculture-related businesses, excluding direct sales, was not widespread. The preservation of productive green spaces in some cities remains a challenge for future land use planning.

Eugene Mohareb, Martin Heller, Paige J. Novak, Benjamin Goldstein, Xavier Fonoll, Lutgarde Raskin · Environmental Research Letters · Global

This literature review provided new insight into the energy implications of scaling up urban agriculture (UA) in cities in high-income countries. It noted that limited data quantify resource demand directly associated with UA systems, indicating the literature is not yet robust enough to make universal claims on benefits. Analyzing existing literature data and cases, the review proposed that energy efficiency gains could be realized by co-locating UA operations with waste streams (e.g., heat, CO2, greywater, wastewater, compost).

Daniel Balcero Benitez · · Colombia (Bogotá)

This study proposes a rururban landscape (urban-agricultural) for the Usme district in southern Bogotá. It is based on a model for ordering rururban fringes and sustainable occupation typologies for these territories, responding to expansive pressures from high environmental impact uses (mining, landfill) and urban growth on peasant territories. The proposal starts from the preservation and strengthening of the environment and current peasant ways of life.