Research & reports

Nicola Perullo · · Global

This chapter proposes understanding cooking as participatory education from a relational philosophy perspective, cultivating an integral and ecological sensibility. It explores the socio-political implications of cooking, drawing on John Dewey's pioneering vision of cooking and taste as aesthetic activities, linking it to somaesthetics and Dōgen's Sōtō Buddhist school. Contemporary examples, including edible school gardens, support the notion that education with and through food develops a somaesthetic sensibility to oppose and redress fragmented social systems.

Ada Górna · · Rwanda (Kigali)

This chapter examines urban agriculture in Kigali, Rwanda, discussing its distribution, structural, production, and organizational features within the city. Crop fields are primarily found in marshy valleys and on hill slopes, with their area and structure varying by location. Terrain and residents' nutritional needs, including the use of wasteland for food production, are important factors influencing agricultural distribution.

Katinka H. Evensen, Vebjørn Egner Stafseng · ˜The œGeojournal library · Norway (Oslo)

This study explored ways of integrating urban agriculture in public spaces through case studies of eight urban agriculture projects in Oslo from 2018 to 2020. Interviews with project initiators and managers highlighted motivations emphasizing the creation of social meeting places and learning arenas for cultivation and ecological knowledge. Urban agriculture was also used as a tool in local urban space development to improve well-being by activating unused spaces and integrating cultivation into green space management, suggesting that deliberate design could increase the perceived publicness of spaces.

Chiara Tornaghi · ˜The œGeojournal library · Global

This chapter, based on 15 years of research, discusses key issues hindering urban agriculture from reaching its full potential for human and non-human health. It highlights shortcomings in urban planning policy, specifically the failure to recognize urban agriculture as food production, the invisibility of soil and lack of understanding of living soils, and the disregard for the advisory role of soil care and food production specialists in public land design and soil management. The chapter suggests that agroecological considerations can deepen urban agriculture's ambition in public spaces.

Nurzawani Azuwa · INTI JOURNAL. · Malaysia

This study aimed to explore the intention behind community garden participation at Taman Tasik Ilmu. Data was collected using an online questionnaire from 40 participants, gathering information on demographics, gardening knowledge, reasons for participation, and opinions on facilities and garden management. Descriptive analysis indicated that the primary motivation for participants to join the community garden program was to fill their free time.

M.N.H. Daud, Mohd Lip Jabit, Noorzalianee Ghazali, J.C.L. Ying · Food Research · Malaysia

This study aimed to evaluate scientific information on major phenolic compounds, including quercetin, protocatechuic acid, and gallic acid, from vegetables cultivated in Malaysian urban farming communities. Leafy and non-leafy vegetables were collected, and phenolic compounds were detected using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Based on the data, most collected vegetables contained the targeted major phenolic compounds, with leaf mustard showing the highest content of quercetin, protocatechuic acid, and gallic acid.

Margaretha Häggström, Mårten Häggström · The Trumpeter · Sweden

This four-year exploratory study in a clearcut in western Sweden investigated the feasibility of cultivating crops in a nutrient-poor, shadowless environment to support biodiversity. The study found that while it was possible to grow potatoes, peas, and some summer flowers without special efforts, it was difficult to grow other vegetables and root vegetables. The project suggests that planting activities in clearcuts may impact people's sense of human-nature identity and respect for the natural environment.

Caroline Hachem-Vermette · Discover Cities · Global

This study outlines a comprehensive set of resilience strategies aimed at enhancing urban resilience across four key domains: water, food, shelter, and energy. A three-pronged evaluation framework is introduced to assess these strategies, presenting a systematic method to rank them based on six criteria: cost, infrastructure impact, scalability, regulatory and zoning challenges, community acceptance, and maintenance needs. For instance, community gardens and rainwater harvesting systems are highly scalable and accepted, while green roofs require more investment and maintenance.

T Jeyasurya, C. Subesh Ranjith Kumar, P. Irene Vethamoni, K. Sivasubramanian, M. Djanaguiraman · Plant Science Today · Global

This review explores the concept, suitable plant choices, and benefits of green walls in urban settings, identifying them as a solution to environmental challenges from urbanization. Green walls offer environmental, social, and economic benefits such as improved air quality, noise reduction, energy conservation, and biodiversity enhancement, while also promoting urban agriculture and community engagement. Implementation requires careful consideration of structural integrity, irrigation, and maintenance.

Deni Ruggeri · ˜The œGeojournal library · Global

This chapter reflects on educational experiences connected to the “Cultivating Public Space” project. Students conceptualized urban agriculture not merely as a collection of physical objects, but as holistic, multifunctional landscapes designed to cultivate biophilia, food justice, public health, and community identity. This approach aimed to celebrate the uniqueness of each locale and co-create new visions of adaptation and transformation.

Christine Aubry, Nicolas Rouget, Giulia Giacchè, Joëlle Salomon Cavin · Territoire en mouvement · Global

This abstract introduces two parallel sessions on urban agriculture held at the IGU colloquium in Paris in July 2022. The sessions explored themes such as the convergence of functions and representations of urban agricultures in the Global South and North, and the integration of agricultural practices into neighborhood development.

Dr.M.K. Ganesh · International Journal for Multidimensional Research Perspectives · Global

This mixed-methods study examined the farm-to-table movement in restaurant food production, identifying benefits like enhanced food freshness and local economic support. However, it also found significant challenges including higher costs, seasonal variability, and complex supply chain logistics. Consumer perceptions were generally positive, but the study emphasized the need for increased consumer education and policy support to overcome barriers.

Qingxian Lin · Applied and Computational Engineering · Global

This paper examines the ecological benefits of rooftop gardens in response to rapid urbanization and its associated environmental problems. Rooftop gardens were found to improve air quality, store rainwater, mitigate the heat island effect, and protect biodiversity. These benefits alleviate urban air pollution, water resource stress, urban heat island effect, and ecological destruction, with numerous existing applications confirming their feasibility for future cities.

Nilanjana Ganguli, Anna Maria Subic, Janani Maheswaran, Byomkesh Talukder · Global Health Journal · Global

A systematic literature review of 55 papers identified five distinct planetary health risks associated with urban agriculture, despite its environmental benefits. The study highlighted particular concerns regarding trace metal bioaccumulation in soil and vegetables, posing health risks to populations. Additionally, risks related to wastewater irrigation, backyard livestock farming, and gaps in infectious disease research were identified.

Inger‐Lise Saglie · ˜The œGeojournal library · Norway

This study investigated the motivations for urban agriculture policies in Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, Norway, identifying five categories of motivations. These include urban "green" development, food production and alternative food systems, provision of social meeting places and community building, municipal welfare services (work training, integration, health promotion, knowledge sharing), and active citizenship and co-creation of city development. While motivations were similar across cities, their emphasis varied.

Nicolás Carrasco-Astudillo, Kàtia Gaspar, Marta Gangolells, Miquel Casals · Journal of Building Engineering · Global

This paper develops a method to evaluate the integration of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus into buildings when designing resilient cooling strategies. Applying the method to a case study, the highest WEF nexus index (77.54%) was achieved by combining urban agriculture, photovoltaic panels, and rainwater harvesting. The proposed framework helps decision-makers prioritize strategies that integrate all three resources to address building overheating and enhance resource efficiency.

Dawn H. Gouge · CABI eBooks · Global

Entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) products are effective but underutilized tools for pest control in homes, gardens, and landscapes, despite being safe for children and pets. They can be used on various plants and are often cost-effective, with lower efficacy levels being acceptable in these settings. There are significant opportunities to increase EPN use in urban environments, including for previously untested pests, driven by growing urban populations and increased appreciation for home-grown produce.

Bin Fang · Art and Design · Singapore

This paper explores the spatial design of urban vertical farms, using a case study of an interwoven residential complex in Singapore. It analyzes the design points of urban vertical farms to expand new functions and design inspiration for urban agricultural architecture. The study aims to address the conflict between urban and agricultural land by integrating agricultural planting buildings into residential complexes.

Yu Hang · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · Global

This study provides a systematic literature review using PRISMA to analyze the ecological, social, and educational benefits of edible landscapes in universities. Research has shown that introducing edible landscapes can improve campus sustainability, educational content, and community engagement. This helps to improve ecological diversity and environmental quality on campuses, enhances awareness and participation of teachers and students in sustainable development, and promotes community identity and social cohesion.

Nordregio, Luciane Aguiar Borges, Ana de Jesus · · Global

This report discusses the barriers and drivers of Urban Agriculture (UA) within the framework of the Horizon 2020 project 'SiEUGreen,' across environmental, technological, economic, social/cultural, and regulatory/institutional aspects. Based on insights from five showcases in Norway, Denmark, Turkey, and China, the results suggest that city food provision and UA systems can be designed considering circular economy regenerative cycles. However, key barriers limiting UA uptake include the need for more evidence-based research, further experimentation for innovative technological developments, high investments, difficulties accessing financial support, underdeveloped business cases, limited recognition of UA's benefits, and behavioral/cultural barriers.

Maria Fernanda Coghi, Duarcides Ferreira Mariosa, Orandi Mina Falsarella · · Portugal

This project aimed to develop and install an optimized aquaponics system at the School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP). The three-floor vertical garden includes two tanks with approximately 2,000 liters of water for fish, three flower boxes, and over 120 positions for growing vegetables. Pedagogical activities involving students from various ISEP courses were also developed in conjunction with this project.

Monsuru Adekunle Salisu, Che Rus Ridzwan, Yusuf Opeyemi Oyebamiji, Norhanizan Usaizan, Abiodun Emmanuel Abioye, Idris Fadheelah Biola, Nurudeen Babatunde Bamiro, Ahmed Kayode Omowunmi, Hussain Luqman · AIMS Agriculture and Food · Global

This systematic literature review, incorporating 37 articles, examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global agri-food sector. The pandemic profoundly impacted all facets of the agri-food system. The review identified several measures to mitigate disruptions and enhance resilience, including robust policy, promotion of urban agriculture, support for small-scale farmers, enhancement of the international market, and technological innovations.

Martina Artmann, Marie Herzig, Henriette John · Discover Cities · Global

This study provides a framework for selecting and operationalizing indicators for a comparative sustainability assessment of different urban agriculture types, exemplified by Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and vertical farming. Based on a qualitative content analysis of vision guidelines, results suggest that CSA can be considered the more sustainable form across all three sustainability dimensions. However, considering vertical farming's main benefit is increased food production efficiency, it is suggested to balance its shortcomings and lack of vision on social justice, biodiversity conservation, and food quality by fostering a hybrid model of community supported vertical farming. This suggestion implies that vertical farming alone has limited effects in these aspects.

Tinesha Onika Carmichael, Wazim Rafeek Sharif, Lydia Narain · Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews · Guyana

This study investigated 30 Agricultural Science teachers across 17 secondary schools in East Berbice Corentyne, Guyana, regarding their perceptions of school gardens. Findings showed that students in school gardening activities were more inclined towards agricultural careers and had an enhanced understanding of practical agriculture. School gardens also facilitated interdisciplinary learning, connecting agricultural science with other subjects.

Roberta Bulgari, Erdona Demiraj, Calogero Schillaci, Ahlem Tlili, Yushu Xia · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Global

This special issue examines urban and peri-urban soil and plant management, highlighting that soil-related factors in urban agricultural systems pose unique challenges. Issues such as soil fertility, soil biodiversity, and soil contamination require further investigation to enhance urban agriculture's contribution to livability. The issue collects studies supporting sustainable soil management and crop diversification, and explores remote sensing and deep learning for soil health monitoring and plant disease detection related to contamination.