Research & reports

Anju Abraham, R. Arunachalam · Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology · Global

A study from December 2020 to March 2021 in Ernakulam and Calicut districts, Kerala, India, investigated the information seeking behavior and utilization constraints of urban farmers. Findings indicated that farmers' information needs ranged from selecting nutritious food crops to marketing surplus produce. Based on this, an integrated urban farming extension model was designed for effective information dissemination to farmers.

Oliver Kellhammer · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · Global

This article explores how marginalized urban communities in North American cities create collective 'open-source' spaces like squats and guerrilla gardens to build social and environmental resilience against climate change emergencies. These spaces can mitigate the short and long-term effects of climate disasters, particularly in low-income neighborhoods facing overcrowding and infrastructure issues. The author provides personal accounts of involvement with a guerrilla garden in Vancouver and a community garden allied with squatters in New York's Lower East Side during Superstorm Sandy.

Colette Rector, Nadhira Nuraini Afifa, Varun Gupta, Abbas Ismail, Dominic Mosha, Leonard K. Katalambula, Said Vuai, Tara A. Young, Elena C. Hemler, Dongqing Wang, Wafaie Fawzi · Food and Nutrition Bulletin · Tanzania (Dodoma)

This study assessed adolescent school nutrition interventions in Dodoma, Tanzania, focusing on school vegetable gardens, school meals, and education. Focus group discussions with government stakeholders and interviews at ten public secondary schools revealed support for interventions. While all schools had experience with meals, parental contributions were crucial, and water availability for gardens was a challenge. Nutrition education was found to be highly theoretical, limiting practical application.

Kousaku Ohta, Masatoshi Funabashi · Measurement Sensors · Global

This study achieved high biodiversity (over 200 plant species) on an urban rooftop garden using the Synecoculture method and analyzed soil microbial diversity, activity, and chemical properties over two years. Soil microbes gradually increased in diversity and activity after installation, showing a positive correlation with cation exchange capacity. After two years of continuous practice, human subjective evaluations were qualitatively consistent with objective data, suggesting that trained human subjectivity could be incorporated as part of assessment proxies in future ecosystem management research.

Gail Hansen, Joseli Macedo · University Press of Florida eBooks · Global

Many ecological, political, and economic programs are available to help cities become more sustainable and protect the urban environment. Resilient city planning practices include climate change adaptations, renewable energy technology, reducing urban sprawl, improving urban agriculture and native species use, and using self-sustaining, biophilic buildings. Goals and strategies for implementing these practices rely on citizens accepting responsibility with pro-environmental behaviors that mitigate destructive impacts from development and maintenance practices.

Jemima Japakumar, Rosazlin Abdullah, Noor Sharina Mohd Rosli · AGRIVITA Journal of Agricultural Science · Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

A field study in an urban community garden in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, investigated the effects of biochar and compost on Amaranthus sp. growth and soil properties. Using a randomized complete block design with five treatments, the combination of biochar and compost significantly increased plant height, leaf count, leaf width, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weight, soil organic matter, and soil organic carbon content compared to other treatments. This combination showed the best effects in enhancing both soil properties and plant growth.

Shannon Davis · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · New Zealand (Auckland)

This article explores the potential contribution of grazing lands within cities of the Global North as a multi-beneficial layer in public greenspace design. While plant-based urban farms and community gardens have seen growth, the integration of grazing lands within urban zones has been largely overlooked. This research considers integrating grazing lands within multi-use greenspace design, undertaking a descriptive critique of Cornwall Park, Auckland, New Zealand, which has provided urban grazing for sheep and cattle since 1903 alongside other land uses.

Joëlle Zask · Éditions de la Sorbonne eBooks · Global

This paper presents the distinction between “collectif” (collective) and “commun” (common) based on the experience of shared gardens. The author argues that this distinction is essential for thinking about democratic culture and its corresponding laws.

Anne Forbes, Vinesh Chandra, Linda Pfeiffer, Rachel Sheffield · Cambridge University Press eBooks · Australia

"STEM Education in the Primary School" introduces pre-service teachers to STEM theory, skills, and practice through a project-based learning approach. The textbook integrates STEM elements with the Australian Curriculum using a school garden project case study. It connects current research in STEM education to teaching practice, discussing topics such as assessment, learning spaces, community, and STEM futures.

Cristina Electra Mâcnea, Asănică Adrian, Fabian Claudia, Peticilă Adrian, Julia Nerantzia TZORTZI · AgroLife Scientific Journal · Global

This abstract discusses urban degradation caused by human nature and industrial growth, considering urban horticulture as a potential strategy to partially reverse these problems and recover the human-nature relationship. It proposes that urban horticulture can be an alternative solution to issues such as poverty, lack of public spaces, deteriorating food and life quality, and climate change in cities.

Gabriela Ledesma, Jelena Nikolic, Oriol Pons · Building and Environment · Ecuador (Quito)

This study developed a co-simulation model incorporating plant heat and mass balances into building simulations to assess the thermal effect of rooftop farms on building thermal performance. Applied to two free-running schools in Quito, Ecuador, integrated rooftop greenhouses improved thermal comfort and air quality, reducing thermal load by 42% and CO2 exceedance hours by 40%, despite a 2.94 kWh/m2 rise in electricity demand.

Carlos Carranza, Martha Cecilia Vinasco Guzmán · Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia eBooks · Colombia

This paper contextualizes relevant experiences and technical tools for implementing urban and peri-urban agroecological orchards, noting that urban and peri-urban agriculture has positive results in alleviating food insecurity, improving sustainability, and creating jobs. It highlights that Colombia currently lacks government policies to support these processes. The paper aims to transfer knowledge on crops to urban and peri-urban communities to strengthen food security through vegetable production.

Doris Friedrich · · Global

This chapter examines three Arctic vegetable farming projects: Calypso Farm in Alaska, Arviat's community gardens and greenhouses in Canada, and Polar Permaculture in Norway. These projects aimed to improve health or increase food security and independence, experimenting with various growing techniques such as greenhouses, hydroponics, growboxes, and outdoor fields. Many of these projects were successful in improving their own and their community's quality of life.

Camille Dumat · Aspects in Mining & Mineral Science · Global

This paper discusses the negative environmental and health impacts of mining, such as air and soil pollution, despite its socio-economic benefits. It highlights that urban agriculture, particularly in areas near former mining sites, faces challenges regarding soil quality and the production of unpolluted vegetables due to public concerns about contamination.

Kateryna Dorofieieva, Kristīne Vugule · Landscape architecture and art · Global

This paper conducted complex research on the phenomenon of urban agriculture and its pioneering practices as a tool to combat problems related to ecology, economy, and human physical and mental well-being, arising from urban sprawl, land distribution, and modern city functioning. Selective case study and relevant literature analysis were applied as main research methods. The research results were compiled into a summarizing table highlighting core data and supporting conclusions and suggestions for planning and management of urban agriculture structures.

Diego Armando Masaquiza Moposita, Juan Carlos Santillán Lima, Carlos Roberto López-Paredes · Dominio de las Ciencias · Global

This review aimed to compile and update information on urban gardens and their effects on sustainability, socioeconomic, and agri-food impacts. Databases including Sciencedirect, Google-scholar, Scopus, and NCBI were reviewed, emphasizing articles from the last five years. The review describes the origin and importance of urban gardens, their environmental, economic, and agri-food effects, and the benefits families receive from their production, contributing to food security and improved lifestyles.

Anne Forbes, Vinesh Chandra, Linda Pfeiffer, Rachel Sheffield · Cambridge University Press eBooks · Australia

This textbook introduces pre-service teachers to the theory, skills, and practice of teaching STEM in primary schools through a project-based learning approach. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are presented as professions, mindsets, and practices, with each element integrated into the Australian Curriculum via a school garden project case study.

Kayla‐Anne Lenferna De La Motte · Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning & Community-Based Research · New Zealand (Auckland)

This action-learning project at the AUT community garden initiative in Auckland, New Zealand, aimed to improve communication among organizers and with potential volunteers. A user-centered strategy and tools were developed and evaluated through literature review, expert interviews, and thematic analysis. Key themes identified for community gardens were communication, collaboration, and the utility of tools.

Boglarka Z. Gulyas, Jill L. Edmondson · Sustainability · Global North

A systematic review of literature on urban agriculture (UA) in the Global North identified factors determining its success in enhancing city resilience and challenges limiting it. UA's success in increasing city resilience was defined as dependent on five factors: institutional and public support, a sufficient knowledge base, communication and collaboration among actors, and resourcefulness in efficient space and resource use. However, comprehensive assessments of UA's potential are still lacking, suggesting challenges in its effective implementation.

Ivanio Folmer, Gabriella Eldereti Machado · Diversitas Journal · Global

This theoretical study proposes a discussion on contemporary urbanity and agriculture, focusing on food through the lens of agroecology and its relationship with socio-environmental dynamics. It discusses conceptual issues involving territory, urbanity, agroecology, and food production, as well as public policies for healthy food and a balanced socio-environmental environment. The research aims to characterize contemporary urbanity and its potential for creating new spaces for agriculture, such as urban agriculture.

Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Norway (Oslo)

This study used a contingent valuation survey to assess Oslo citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for four types of urban agriculture: urban community gardens, urban gardens for work training, education, and kindergartens, aquaponics, and vertical production. While urban agriculture provides services like enhanced food security and biodiversity, its value is often hard to quantify for policymakers. The survey results indicated that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to contribute to the further development of urban farming in Oslo.

Ryo Kohsaka, Yuta Uchiyama · Sustainability · Global

This Special Issue re-explores research topics related to the relationships between urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2020 and beyond.

Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad, Peiman Golchin · فصلنامه علوم محیطی · Iran

This study is a cross-sectional survey aimed at measuring the participation and support of the academic community for the edible landscape (university green space with edible and medicinal plants) at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran. A survey of 530 faculty members, staff, and students revealed that "mental health" and "nutrition from food produced in the edible landscape" were the most important motivators for participation. Students, women, and the 20-30 age group showed the highest motivation to participate, and the most popular combination of elements included agricultural space, an orchard with a fountain and stream, a dining area, and a mulberry grove.

Francis Mwanza, Erick Komba, Dominic Kambarage · International Journal of Microbiology · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

This study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, investigated the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates from 156 samples of manure, vegetables, and fish. Of these, 36 samples (23.1%) were positive for E. coli, yielding 48 isolates. A significant finding was that 25 (52.1%) of these isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, and 12 (48.0%) showed multidrug resistance, indicating a potential microbial health risk to humans through contamination.

Fatiha Hakimi, Mohamed Brech · International journal of food science and agriculture · Morocco

This study assessed peri-urban agriculture practices, roles, and challenges in Rabat Metropolis, Morocco, by surveying 50 respondents using purposive and stratified random sampling. Major practices included horticulture, crop farming, and livestock rearing. Peri-urban agriculture contributes to economic development by generating income, creating employment, supplying food, and enhancing land use and environmental beautification. However, it faces legal constraints, such as a lack of regulating laws and housing taxes, and technical constraints, including insufficient workforce, high labor costs, difficult access to irrigation water, and lack of training and support.