Research & reports

Sarah E. Coffey, John F. Munsell, Rico Hübner, Curtis R. Friedel · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · United States (Virginia)

A survey of 68 mayors (39% response rate) in Virginia, US, from communities under 25,000 population, investigated public food forest initiatives. Mayors identified long-term maintenance as the greatest barrier and noted that 78% of municipalities lack land use codes for food-producing trees and shrubs. While nearly 70% reported some public land food production, only one-fifth included food-producing trees. Mayors emphasized sociocultural programs and education over food access as the most compelling aspect.

Fátima Rodríguez Marín, María África Portillo Guerrero, María Puig Gutiérrez · Revista eureka sobre enseñanza y divulgación de las ciencias · Global

This study presents an experience carried out in a classroom with three-year-old children, where the school garden was used as the central axis of a didactic proposal based on the school research model. The results showed that this resource favors environmental literacy, while also serving to articulate didactic proposals that contribute to the population's resilience.

Sangodoyin Olakunle. M, Shehata Mariam, D’Aprile Andrea, Calore Giuseppe, Lorianne Ginot, Correrella Maia, Elian Mariam, Aly Nada, Aboughanema Salma, Ali Sohaila, Aboulnaga Mohsen · International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology · Italy (Rome)

The "Green Symphony" project in Lanuvio, a municipality near Rome, Italy, transformed a vacant ARES site into a smart and sustainable urban farm. The project integrated aquaponic systems, permaculture, vertical farming, and energy harvesting technologies. The developed farm is projected to generate 7 tons of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and fish annually, create 3 stable jobs, and recoup investment costs within a maximum of 5 years.

Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George M. Martin · · Global

This chapter examines urban cultivation across diverse global contexts, finding that global South cities often experience declining food production due to displacement by financiers and landowners. It notes that urban cultivation is frequently associated with unacknowledged pollution problems, and its overall ecological impacts are not necessarily positive. Furthermore, urban food production, with the exception of Cuba, does little to reduce social inequality and can sometimes exacerbate it.

Dr.Sumanta Bhattacharya, H. B. Lal, Bhavneet Kaur Sachdev · Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research · India

India's horticulture industry has grown, contributing to GDP and employing 42% of the population. However, 60% of products rot due to a lack of cold storage, hindering the elimination of food shortages and export amplification. Floriculture has also improved, with women playing a role in rural economy and empowerment.

Enrico Gottero, Claudia Cassatella, Federica Larcher · Land · Italy (Turin)

This research developed a holistic method and map-based indices for interpreting and classifying peri-urban landscapes, focusing on open spaces to understand their complexity and identify homogeneous units. The method was applied to the peri-urban area of Turin, Italy, generating maps of spatial and functional classification at the landscape unit level, as well as a map of critical areas for improvement. Despite some minor limitations, the proposed method and tools appear to have a range of applications in the context of global challenges and from a landscape perspective.

Innocent Awasom · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

Urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered a creative method of food production to address increasing urbanization and food insecurity. Urban food gardens are noted to have the potential to mitigate hunger and food insecurity, offering health, socio-cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.

Vidya Anderson, William A. Gough · International Journal of Biometeorology · Canada (Toronto)

A controlled field study in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, evaluated the impact of multiple types of green infrastructure on near-surface air temperature regulation. Over two summers, a field campaign measured the impact of green roofs, green walls, urban vegetation and forestry systems, and urban agriculture systems on near-surface air temperature. This study demonstrated that multiple types of green infrastructure applications are beneficial in regulating near-surface air temperature and are not limited to specific treatments.

Simone Valeri, Laura Zavattero, Giulia Capotorti · Land · Italy

This study addresses knowledge gaps in selecting plant species and understanding landscape heterogeneity's role in dispersal success for Green Infrastructure (GI) planning. It suggests a methodological approach for fine-scale assessment in peri-urban agricultural landscapes, using a case study in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The approach involved stratifying the area, defining GI components, characterizing the area with Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis, assessing connectivity, and prioritizing conservation measures. Despite recognized limits, the approach proved functional for the context and detail level.

K. C. Sahu, M. K. Satapathy · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India

This paper discusses rooftop gardens as an alternative for vegetable production in Bhubaneswar City, India. While rooftop agriculture can improve ecosystem services and enhance urban biodiversity, vegetable production activities on rooftops are limited due to multiple challenges that need to be addressed for widespread implementation. Rooftops are not a total solution for food security but can supplement other urban food sources.

Roberta Moraes Curan, Paulo Eduardo Moruzzi Marques · Estudos Avançados · Global

This article presents a systematic literature review on the multifunctionality of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA), conducted using Science Direct, Scielo, and Capes databases. Fourteen articles were selected, and their data were analyzed to identify UPA typologies and functions. The study classified UPA functions into sociocultural, economic, and environmental dimensions, concluding that UPA offers benefits and can be a tool for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Cari Borja · Gastronomica The Journal of Food and Culture · United States (California)

To commemorate 50 years since the founding of Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California, in 1971, Alice Waters and University of California President Michael V. Drake planned an event for August 28, 2021, to gather educators, farmers, and others to address climate change. The event was postponed due to a surge in COVID-19 Delta variant cases, but a message was sent supporting the values of public education through the economic stimulus of local organic food procurement. Waters' vision explored possibilities in our relationship to food and community, connection to land, and the broader cultural picture.

Chanie Derso Misganaw · Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries · Ethiopia

This review paper highlights the current lack of urban agriculture practice in Ethiopian towns and emphasizes its significance. Urban agriculture contributes to food self-sufficiency, social goodness, economic profitability, and environmental health, and is stated as the most appreciated means to improve livelihoods, generate income, create job opportunities, and fight against famine, depression, anxiety, and the spread of coronavirus. The paper discusses the types, principles, and prospects of urban agriculture based on updated information.

Lucas Leite Costa, Cláudia Maria Arcipreste, Tito Flávio Rodrigues de Aguiar · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Global

This work uses an architectural project methodology to reflect on the demands for rationalizing industrialized construction processes using metal components for buildings dedicated to food production in large urban centers. It studies the potential of modular buildings in metal construction for urban agriculture, exploring strategies for flexibility and adaptability of spaces to diverse implementation contexts. This approach aims to reduce steps in the food production and distribution chain.

Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George Martin · · Global

Claims that urban food production raises food security and creates a more just society are questionable and contradicted by data from the Global North. Urban land is insufficient, sunlight is often inadequate, and soil pollution is widespread. Technological attempts like vertical and rooftop farming have limited feasibility, may worsen environmental and social problems, and do not address major food sources, access, or waste. Furthermore, urban gardens are increasingly linked with socially devastating gentrification.

Yang Zhou, Yang Zhou, Jing‐Cheng Han, Jie Li, Ya Zhou, Ya Zhou, Keyi Wang, Yuefei Huang · Journal of Cleaner Production · China (Shenzhen)

This study focused on robust planning for Shenzhen City's urban agriculture system under stringent pollution controls, aiming to build resilient cities. A robust-optimization-based urban agriculture planning (ROB-UAP) model was developed and applied to Shenzhen City. Results indicated that under expected economic conditions, agricultural restructuring could increase the system's overall output by at least 8%. Furthermore, the total amount of major pollutants could be reduced in both risk-averse and risk-tolerant scenarios, highlighting the importance of robust decision-making for environmentally low-impact outcomes.

Felipe Parada, Xavier Gabarrell, Martí Rufí-Salís, Verónica Arcas‐Pilz, Pere Muñoz, Gara Villalba · The Science of The Total Environment · Spain (Barcelona)

This study investigated the agronomic performance and environmental life cycle impacts of three different fertigation management practices (open, 30% recirculation, and recirculation with a further 15% fresh water reduction) for tomato crops in a rooftop greenhouse in Barcelona. All three practices resulted in similar yields, but the recirculation with reduced fresh water input was the most water-efficient, requiring 48.7 liters per kg of tomato. In terms of environmental performance, the recirculation practice showed the best performance in most impact categories, particularly in marine and freshwater eutrophication, with 44% and 93% fewer impacts than the open management.

Kyla D. Scherr, Mary A. Jamieson · Basic and Applied Ecology · United States (Michigan)

This three-year study investigated environmental factors influencing strawberry productivity for two cultivars at ten farms across a rural-urban gradient in Michigan, USA. It found no direct effect of urbanization on strawberry production or fruit pathogen and pest damage, but temperature significantly influenced crop productivity, with cooler rural and warmer urban temperatures limiting fruit number. While no relationship was found between urbanization and overall arthropod pest, predator, or pollinator abundances, Vespidae abundance was positively associated with urbanization, and Araneae abundance was negatively associated.

Christina Ergas · · United States

This chapter explores urban ecovillages in the United States, highlighting challenges faced by ecovillagers in a neoliberal context. It examines cultural conflicts between sustainability and consumer culture, and points out the exclusive, upper-class, white nature of the local food movement in the US. Monetary and time constraints have made local organic food an elite phenomenon, often cited as a first step to gentrification in urban communities.

S Priyadharshina, V. Sumitra Devi, Sheeba Chander · · Global

This paper explores urban agriculture as a solution to the increasing urban population's reliance on rural areas for food. It defines urban agriculture as developing, processing, and distributing food in or around metropolitan areas, including various practices like animal cultivation and agroforestry. The paper suggests that urban agriculture can enable cities to implement sustainable practices, reduce carbon footprints, and foster self-sustainability.

Matthew L. Richardson, Caitlin G. Arlotta · Scientia Horticulturae · United States (Washington, DC)

This study grew seven genotypes of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in green roof, field row, and high tunnel systems in and near Washington, DC, to compare leaf and flower yield, nutritional differences, and insect pest susceptibility. Genotype PI 286316 produced abundant flowers, particularly in high tunnels, while leaf production was highest in field rows despite frequent Popillia japonica attacks. PI 273388, PI 275414, and green hibiscus yielded the most leaves, and genotypes showed nutrient differences regardless of the production system. The locally adapted green hibiscus performed well across systems, was least attacked by pests, and had higher nutrient levels, demonstrating H. sabdariffa's suitability for temperate urban systems.

Christina Ergas · · Global

This concluding chapter summarizes lessons from urban agriculture and ecovillages, defining radical sustainability as socially and ecologically transformative and regenerative. It identifies tools for radical sustainability, including community care and skill sharing. The chapter offers practical, community-oriented solutions for socioecological crises, particularly for those unable to implement urban farming, and discusses the potential for large-scale structural change or collapse.

Lael Walsh, Bethan R. Mead, Charlotte A. Hardman, Daniel Evans, Lingxuan Liu, Natalia Falagán, Sofia Kourmpetli, Jessica Davies · Environmental Research Letters · United Kingdom

This study provides a national-scale analysis of the horticultural production potential of urban green spaces in Great Britain (GB). It identifies urban green spaces available for horticultural production and quantifies potential yields based on three production options. Urban green spaces in GB, at their upper limit, have the capacity to support production 8 times greater than current domestic fruit and vegetable production, or 38% of current domestic production and imports combined. Most urban green spaces consist of private residential gardens and amenity spaces, and all examined towns and cities were found to have substantial potential to meet the dietary needs of the local urban population.

Magdalena Grochulska-Salak, Aleksandra Nowysz, Anna Tofiluk · Buildings · Global

This research reviews urban agriculture as green and blue infrastructure solutions, evaluating modern hybrid units that combine biomass and food production with water retention in urban areas. It defines criteria and typology for urban resilience solutions, analyzing the correlation between water production, management, retention, and reuse within sustainable urban agriculture systems in compact cities. The study describes a typology for cultivation and production in modern cities, contributing to discussions on synergy in urban planning, architecture, and engineering for city resilience.

Trecy Austin, Marleni Marleni · Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia · Indonesia (Palembang)

This community empowerment activity in Sialang Village, Palembang City, Indonesia, involved training and direct practical assistance to implement urban farming, specifically hydroponics and BUDIKDAMBER (fish and vegetable cultivation in buckets). The program aimed to enhance food security and support the Climate Village Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from RT 19 and RT 65 RW 13 gained understanding of urban farming methods and their health and economic benefits, showing readiness to adopt these practices in their households.