Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
5823 results(44 / 233)
Epilogue
2024Erin VanLaningham · · Global
This concluding chapter emphasizes an ecology of the common good, highlighting the interconnectedness required for flourishing campuses, communities, and thought systems. It discusses four key aspects: deep ecology, ecology and economy, the home place, and community gardens and gardening. The chapter suggests that stewarding resources and educating for vocation can help prioritize diversity, justice, and care for all.
CommunityBiodiversityEconomicsFood educationCommunity-Based Early Childhood Development Center as a Platform to Overcome Stunting in PAUD Kenanga Mekar Asri Semarang
2024Dwi Kustriyanti, Boediarsih Boediarsih, Witri Hastuti, Hermeksi Rahayu, Indah Wulaningsih, Mardiyani Mardiyani, Andrew Sitepu · Swadaya Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)
A community-based early childhood development program in PAUD Kenanga Mekar Asri Semarang aimed to promote growth and development through counseling, mentoring, and training, including a catfish/tilapia program and urban farming. The study found that 70% of the children developed according to age, 30% had suspect development, and only 1 child (5%) was underweight, with no children found to be stunted.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareThe Urgent Role of Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Planning in the Global South
2024Lesli Hoey · Urban agriculture · Global
This paper highlights that urban agriculture (UA) serves as a vital lifeline for food and income security for many urban growers in the Global South. However, it notes that many governments in the Global South actively resist UA in the name of "modernization," and by promoting supermarkets and restricting informal food markets, they potentially undermine the positive impacts of UA on urban food security and poverty.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsCommunitySpatial Accessibility Disparities and Users’ Opinion Assessment of Khartoum State Public Green Spaces
2024Ahmed Alhuseen, H. M. A. M. Omer, Eva Pauditšová, Hussein M. Sulieman, Mária Kozová, Pavel Cudlín · · Sudan (Khartoum)
A study assessed spatial accessibility disparities and users' opinions regarding public green spaces (UGSs) in Khartoum State, Sudan. Using GIS and questionnaires, it evaluated potential accessibility to 44 urban parks, community gardens, and city forests within 5, 10, and 15-minute travel intervals. Results showed inequitable access opportunities to UGSs, primarily favoring first-class residential areas. Within a 5-minute walking interval, the UGSs service zone covered less than 1% of the population. User opinion assessment revealed that 80% of parks required entrance fees, and the study concluded that UGS accessibility does not correspond to international quality of life indices.
Equity & displacementCommunityUrban–rural linkageHealthPolicyFlower richness is key to pollinator abundance: The role of garden features in cities
2024Astrid E. Neumann, Felix Conitz, Susan Karlebowski, Ulrike Sturm, Julia M. Schmack, Monika Egerer · Basic and Applied Ecology · Germany (Munich)
This study recorded garden features and pollinators in 33 urban community gardens in Munich and Berlin, Germany, over two summer seasons to understand their impact on pollinator abundance. Findings showed that in more urbanized gardens, flower richness and bare substrate were less prevalent. Flower richness positively correlated with overall pollinator abundance, richness, and diversity, while landscape imperviousness negatively correlated with hoverfly and beetle abundances.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsHeritage Assessment at Land at Lower Laston Field
2024F Balmond · Open MIND · United Kingdom
A desk-based archaeological assessment was conducted for the Land at Lower Laston Field, UK, following the SWARCH HA methodology, without a site visit. The direct archaeological impact of development is considered relatively low due to the site's topography and historical use as agricultural land and allotment gardens. However, indirect impacts from residential development are likely given its proximity to a Conservation Area and intervisibility with the Scheduled Hillsborough Promontory Fort.
CommunityPolicyUrban agriculture and women's empowerment: an analysis based on female producers in the Talangaï market gardening belt in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)
2024Abdias Rodias Paul Ngalekoua · Advanced Research in Economics and Business Strategy Journal · Africa
This study investigated the impact of urban agriculture on the empowerment of female vegetable growers in Talangaï's 6th district, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. A qualitative and quantitative survey was conducted with 105 selected households through semi-structured interviews. The findings confirmed that vegetable growing acts as a vector for empowerment and improves producers' living conditions, contributing to poverty and unemployment reduction, and positively impacting their social and economic spheres.
WelfareEconomicsCommunityFostering Citizen-Led Projects Through Multi-level Engagement in Wildemanbuurt, Amsterdam
2024Diana Krabbendam, Emiel Wolf, Bernie Deekens, Rosalie Bak, Hans Krikke · SpringerBriefs in applied sciences and technology · Netherlands (Amsterdam)
This chapter outlined activities for citizen-led projects in the Wildeman neighborhood in Amsterdam. The main challenges identified were a lack of trust and community feeling among inhabitants, a lack of involvement and ownership in neighborhood developments, and fragmented existing community activities and services.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyFood educationOrganic cycleUrban Soil Health Check and Strategies for Monitoring and Improvement
2024Kushal Sachan, Anshul Saxena, Suneel Kumar, Abhishekh Mishra, Archana Verma, Divyanshi Tiwari, Anil Kumar · Journal of Diversity Studies · Global
This article provides an overview of the importance of urban soil health monitoring and its improvement strategies. It highlights that urban soils may harbor diverse contaminants from industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and improper waste disposal, posing risks to human health and ecosystem functioning. Implementing effective monitoring protocols using soil testing kits, remote sensing, and citizen science is crucial, while phytoremediation, composting, biochar application, green infrastructure, urban forestry, and community gardens are suggested as improvement strategies.
Organic cycleCommunityHealthRede Carioca de Agricultura Urbana: mudança social, comunicação e cidadania
2024Rodrigo Rossi Morelato · MEDIACIONES · Brazil
This article addresses the communication practices of agroecological-based social movements in Rio de Janeiro, correlating them with theories of communication for social change. Based on extensive participatory research with the Rio de Janeiro Urban Agriculture Network (Rede CAU), it concludes that agroecology is capable of promoting processes of citizenship and social change through popular communication.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationOn the irrelevance of (peat-free) substrates - Qualitative insights into the social practices of hobby gardeners in Germany
2024Holger Braun, Dorothee Apfel, Benedikt Rilling, Carsten Herbes · Cleaner and Responsible Consumption · Germany
A study with 44 hobby gardeners in Germany found that substrates are not a major part of gardeners' social interactions, and price is the dominant purchase criterion for substrates, with sustainability not playing an important role. Although basic knowledge about peat is widespread, purchasing substrates is a utility-driven process with mostly passive information behavior.
Limited or null effectCommunityClimate changeDIYOrganic cycleDes cultures politiques situées à un environnementalisme ordinaire commun dans les jardins partagés
2024Victoria Sachsé · Développement durable et territoires · Italy
This study explored two shared gardens in Rome and Strasbourg using qualitative research (participant observation and interviews) to highlight the diversity of political cultures animating these spaces. The garden in Rome showed a dynamic of public space appropriation, partly in conflict with local institutions, expressing the right to the city. In contrast, the Strasbourg garden revealed a dynamic of alliance between the association and institutions through the creation of a permaculture shared garden.
CommunityPolicyClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceA Step to be a Green School: As Addition Green Space to Support Sustainable Living [A Step to be a Green School: Sebagai Penambahan Ruang Terbuka Hijau guna Mendukung Hidup Berkelanjutan]
2024Qatrunnada Widhia Nugraha, Rahmawati Rahmawati, Riska Riska, Asep Kadarohman, Wiwin Sriwulan · Jurnal Pengabdian Isola. · Indonesia (Jawa Barat)
This study implemented school garden creation and environmental awareness activities for 27 students at a school in West Java. Environmental awareness was measured using questionnaires before and after the activities. Results showed that students recognized the benefits of the school garden, leading to an increase in the average environmental awareness score across all evaluated aspects.
Food educationCommunityClimate changePotential Economic and Ecosystem Performances of Some Mediterranean Fruit Plants in an Urban Context
2024Desirée Muscas, Silvia Marrapodi, Chiara Proietti, Luigia Ruga, Fabio Orlandi, Marco Fornaciari · Sustainability · Italy
A study in an urban area of central Italy evaluated the potential productive, ecosystem, and economic contributions of fruit tree species for a food forest. Using a web app for simulation, Ficus carica and Morus nigra showed good potential fruit production of 1300 kg and 865 kg, and CO2 storage of 2.5 and 1.5 tons, respectively. Morus nigra demonstrated the highest economic value over a 50-year period, estimated at approximately 6000 USD with an average price of 7 USD/kg, and edible food forests were found to improve urban ecosystem biodiversity.
EconomicsBiodiversityClimate changeCommunityPollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens
2024Pénélope Duval, Edwige Martin, Laurent Vallon, Pierre Antonelli, Maxime Girard, Aymeric Signoret, Patricia Luis, Danis Abrouk, Laure Wiest, Aurélie Fildier, Christelle Bonnefoy, Patrick Jame, Erik Bonjour, Amélie Cantarel, Jonathan Gervaix, Emmanuelle Vulliet, Rémy Cazabet, Guillaume Minard, Claire Valiente Moro · FEMS Microbiology Ecology · France
A study conducted in French community gardens investigated whether pollution gradients influence the water microbial composition of Aedes albopictus larval habitats. The physicochemical and microbial compositions of noncolonized and colonized waters did not significantly differ, with the exception of N2O and CH4 concentrations, which were higher in noncolonized water samples. The microbial composition of larval habitats covaried differentially along the pollution gradients according to colonization status.
CommunityBiodiversityHealthKompost-o-scen
2024· Diva portal (Dalarna University Library) · Global
"Compost-o-Scene" is an installation created with the ÖK Allotment Garden, featuring microbe compost developed under Jenny Salmson's guidance and daily care by "Compost Turners." The installation includes Salmson's compost recipe and care instructions, Malin Lobell's microscope photographs and screen-printed workwear, and Janna Holmstedt's video fieldnotes and soundscape, alongside tools and an art publication.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityThe Role of Social Innovation in Confronting the Challenges of Quarantine during the COVID-19 Period a literature review analysis
2024Mohammed Bouguelaa · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This literature review analyzes the role of social innovation in confronting challenges posed by COVID-19 quarantine measures. Through a systematic review of articles, reports, and case studies, the paper explores the conceptual framework and theoretical perspectives of social innovation. It identifies and analyzes initiatives such as alternative food networks and urban agriculture, highlighting their effectiveness in mitigating adverse effects of quarantine and promoting community resilience.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthWelfareClimate changeAdaptation and study protocol for harvest for health together Arizona: A mentored community garden intervention for survivors of cancer
2024Meghan B. Skiba, Dylan V. Miller, Delaney Stratton, Caitlyn Hall, Sharon McKenna, Cindy K. Blair, Wendy Demark‐Wahnefried · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · United States (Arizona)
This study adapted "Harvest for Health," a home-based mentored gardening intervention for cancer survivors, into a community-based intervention for Arizona's arid desert environment. The adapted intervention, "Harvest for Health Together Arizona (H4H2-AZ)," will enroll participants for two growing seasons (6 months) in 30 ft2 community garden plots, with Master Gardeners providing one-to-one mentorship and gardening supplies. This pilot six-month single-arm intervention aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the adapted program for skin cancer survivors, with secondary outcomes exploring effects on cancer preventive health behaviors and health-related quality of life.
CommunityHealthWelfareMapping seeds of freedom with Red de Huerteros Medellín
2024Paula Restrepo · · Colombia (Medellín)
As part of the Red de Huerteros Medellín (RHM) collective, urban agriculture in Medellín was mapped to identify its features and problems. A main problem found was a poor or non-existent connection between urban farmers and key organizations like seed keepers. Few urban farmers had knowledge about the ecopolitical implications of the seed business, and even fewer obtained seeds from seed keepers or showed consideration for their labor.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyHeirloom & landraceUsing Cellphones for Visualizing the Social and Environmental Relations of Community Gardens
2024Mitchell McLarnon · · Global
This chapter describes the practice, processes, and ethical tensions of using cell phones for visual data collection, representation, and analysis in school/community garden research projects. The findings suggest that while gardens and cell phones have the potential for enhancing experiential learning, increased well-being, and ecological awareness, their use needs to be highly contextualized within critical discussions related to settler colonialism, consumerism, neoliberalism, and (green) gentrification.
Equity & displacementCommunityFood educationBiodiversityClimate changeHealthPolicyUrbanization effects on urban vegetable farmers adaptation: Evidence from Ghana
2024Michael Tuffour, George Owusu, Daniel Bruce Sarpong · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Ghana
This study investigated the effects of urbanization on urban vegetable farmers' adaptation in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana, using an exploratory sequential mixed method. Qualitative data involved 29 farmers from 10 farm sites, and quantitative data involved 251 farmers from 16 farm sites. Changes perceived by farmers included climate, land scarcity, increased population, and lifestyle dynamics, with population increase negatively resulting in polluted streams and farmer evictions due to land scarcity. Farmers adapted by using multiple water sources, intensification, and relocating to cheap lands.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsExploring the Association of Urban Agricultural Practices with Farmers’ Psychosocial Well-Being in Dar es Salaam and Greater Lomé: A Perceptual Study
2024Akuto Akpedze Konou, Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Victoria M. Mwakalinga, Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka, Armel Firmin Kemajou Mbianda, Jérôme Chenal · Sustainability · Africa
This perceptual study surveyed 733 urban farmers in Dar es Salaam and Greater Lomé to explore the psychosocial effects of urban agriculture on their well-being. Using the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form and bespoke questionnaires, the research found significant variations in urban agriculture-related happiness across city zones, with peripheral farmers reporting greater satisfaction than urban counterparts. Female farmers also reported higher levels of happiness.
HealthWelfareCommunityPolicyCultivo de hortalizas de ciclos cortos en huertos para el consumo y comercialización de alumnos de tercero de bachillerato
2024Reina Bazán Alarcón, Edgar Leonidas Cottallat Villao, Segress García-Hevia · Código Científico Revista de Investigación · Ecuador
This mixed-methods study in Ecuador aimed to develop a methodology for implementing school gardens at Unidad Educativa Misael Olaya, focusing on short-cycle vegetable cultivation for consumption and potential commercialization by high school students. Questionnaires and interviews with students and teachers revealed that while students had basic knowledge of vegetable cultivation, there was a need to strengthen practical activities and experimental learning.
Limited or null effectFood educationWelfareCommunityEconomicsPublic Food Trees’ Usage and Perception, and Their Potential for Participatory Edible Cities: A Case Study in Birjand, Iran
2024Juliette Colinas, Francesca Ugolini, Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad · Sustainability · Iran (Birjand)
In Birjand, Iran, a qualitative approach explored the usage and perception of public fruit trees and attitudes towards public usage and participation in two urban green spaces (Tohid Park and Akbarieh Garden). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve visitors, four administrators, and eight workers. Almost all visitors had a high interest in picking fruit, but usage in these green spaces was low, partly due to social norms.
Limited or null effectCommunityFood educationPolicyAssessing the Social Impact and Community Engagement of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee : A Mixed-Methods Study
2024Rafi Pratama, Wawan Dhewanto · International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies · Indonesia (Bandung)
This mixed-methods study assessed the effectiveness of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee, Bandung, Indonesia, in enhancing environmental sustainability and community involvement. While the initiative moderately succeeded in raising environmental awareness among participants, it faced problems in achieving consistent community participation. Logistic regression analysis identified awareness and knowledge as significant predictors of sustainability practice, indicating a need for targeted strategies to foster behavioral change.
Limited or null effectCommunityBiodiversityFood education