Research & reports

Galang Aulia Prasetya, Agus Yadi Ismail, Nurdin · Journal of Forestry And Environment · Indonesia

This study evaluates bird diversity and conservation status in the Tundagan Village Forest, Indonesia, identified as an important avian habitat. Using an exploration method with identification based on a Mackinnon bird list, the study analyzed diversity, evenness, and dominance indices, plus a one-way ANOVA testing differences among three land-cover types. Overall diversity across natural forest, pine forest, and community garden land covers fell in the moderate category, with evenness close to even in natural and pine forests but uneven in community gardens. The dominant species were Psilopogon australis in natural forest, Cinnyris ornatus in pine forest, and Lonchura leucogastroides in community gardens. Community conservation efforts use a zoning strategy distinguishing a main "prohibited forest" from secondary "baladan forest" designated for economic use.

Dwinanda Ripta Ramadhan, Supartini, Susilaningtyas Budiana Kurniawati · PROFICIO · Indonesia

A community outreach program in Indonesia (PROFICIO, 2026) applied Participatory Action Research—assessment, intensive training, coaching, and periodic evaluation—to help urban farming groups shift from consumers to micro-scale commercial producers through crop diversification, financial management, and digital marketing. Reported outcomes were skill gains in diversified cultivation, separation of household and business cash accounts, and creation of a digital brand on social media and local marketplaces; the program's expected increase in group revenue was stated as a goal, not a measured result.

Nia Amalia, Sri Widayanti, Mirza Andrian Syah · JURNAL ILMIAH PETERNAKAN TERPADU · Indonesia (Surabaya)

A feasibility study of the Balitbangtan superior free-range chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) farming business run by the Jago Karah Farm (JKF) urban farming community in Surabaya, Indonesia (2026), used qualitative descriptive analysis for market, technical, and environmental aspects and quantitative income analysis with the R/C Ratio for financial feasibility. JKF was found to have clear market segmentation and a functioning marketing mix; the operation remains micro-scale with only partial technology adoption; environmentally it was assessed as feasible, producing no unpleasant odors and managing waste properly; and financially it was profitable, with an average income of IDR 4,069,888 and an R/C Ratio of 1.7. The study notes JKF still faces limited technology, high feed costs, and a narrow marketing reach.

Chandni Singh, Sheetal Somashekar Patil, Swarnika Sharma · Environmental Research Climate · India

As urban heat increasingly affects liveability, labour productivity and human health, nature-based solutions such as green roofs, increased urban tree cover and dedicated park space have been proposed to adapt to rising urban heat, but the literature has paid relatively little attention to how smaller urban green spaces — fragmented urban greenery and rooftop home gardens — contribute to hyperlocal temperature regulation. This study examined whether rooftop home gardens in Bangalore, India, regulate indoor temperature and provide thermal comfort, drawing on perception-based data from household surveys and in-depth interviews alongside modelled scenario data covering different types of rooftop home gardens. People generally perceived thermal comfort in rooms directly below rooftop farms/gardens, and reported air-conditioner use declined after starting rooftop gardening. Modelling across seven scenarios, from no green cover to complete (100%) soil-bed cover, showed heat reduction benefits ranging from 1.5°C to 14°C depending on foliage type, density and extent of green cover; because most rooftops serve multiple purposes, the study identifies a more realistic temperature reduction of 1.5°C to 3°C, corresponding to a scenario with 50% of the roof covered in dense foliage.

Syauqi Az Zahra, Erwan Efendi · Ganaya Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora · Indonesia

In Martebing Village, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Indonesia, a qualitative descriptive study using field observation, in-depth interviews with community administrators and members, and activity documentation examined how management of the Nurul Huda women's empowerment community, organized through a da'wah (Islamic outreach) management approach, contributes to family food security. The community was found to carry out functional management — activity planning, role organization, program implementation and collective evaluation — integrated with da'wah values, realized in practice through urban farming and yard-land utilization as part of family food security management. Women's active involvement throughout this process was said to encourage the independence and sustainability of family food security, positioning the integration of da'wah management and women's empowerment as a potential model for community-based empowerment in rural areas.

Alfiya Rokhmah, Ririn Mulyani, Muhammad Yusuf Hamdhani, Doni Doni · Jurnal Keteknikan Pertanian · Indonesia

At Universitas Sains Indonesia in Cibitung subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, researchers designed an urban farming layout to increase green open space on limited campus land. Using a mixed-method approach combining site analysis, field observation, facility-relationship analysis and economic feasibility estimation, the proposed design combines an aquaponic system (a 1,000-liter fish tank linked to hydroponic pipes with 120 planting holes), a vertical farming system adding 60 planting holes, and a green-learning park. The initial investment was estimated at approximately Rp 12,270,000 with relatively low operating costs, and the system was projected to yield 37-45 kg of vegetables per month and 30-40 kg of fish per production cycle.

Flora Elvistia Firdaus, M. Dachyar · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Asia

This study examined food self-sufficiency in limited spaces as a survival strategy among Indonesian migrant communities in Malaysia, through a community-based educational program teaching container gardening, vertical planting and cultivation using recycled materials, targeted at migrant households and particularly women engaged in informal economic activities, delivered through demonstration, participatory discussion and knowledge exchange. Participants responded positively, viewing food self-sufficiency as a feasible strategy for household resilience and small-space cultivation as a practical way to reduce food expenses and improve access to fresh food, with the program highlighting the importance of culturally relevant practices and community-based learning for adoption.

Dina Oktavia, Yuni Amelia, Fitri Ammara Azhar, Radha Alizha, Widya Natasya, Nayla Putri Abdullah · Warta Dharmawangsa · Indonesia

Using descriptive qualitative methods combining literature review, observation, and interviews with urban farmers, mainly in Medan, Indonesia, and other major cities, this study analyzed urban farming business opportunities built on organic waste management as a form of green entrepreneurship. Converting organic waste into compost was found to reduce production costs, increase soil fertility, and support a circular economy, making urban farming a potentially profitable and environmentally friendly business opportunity. Young people play a strategic role in this development through innovation, digital technology use, and strengthening community networks, but limited knowledge, capital, and policy support remain ongoing challenges.

Intan Ratri Prasundari, Setyo Tri Wahyudi, Anthon Efani, Reny Tiarantika · Agrisocionomics Jurnal Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian · Indonesia

A study assessed the sustainability status of seven types of urban agriculture in Malang City, Indonesia — irrigated agricultural land, rainfed dryland farming, recreational activity, community gardening, commercial farming, agro-educational tourism, and institutional farming — using multidimensional scaling with the RAPHYTON tool. Primary data came from expert and supporting informant interviews plus field surveys and observation. Results showed the sustainability level of urban agriculture types in Malang City was generally in the "moderately sustainable" category. The ecological dimension of irrigated agricultural land was classified as unsustainable, while agro-educational tourism achieved the highest sustainability status, rated sustainable in the social dimension.

Yun Wu · Architecture Engineering and Science · China

Set against the backdrop of accelerating urban stock renewal in China, this paper addresses the contradiction between "quantity" and "quality" in developing high plot ratio land—where rigid plot ratio constraints create physical barriers such as insufficient lighting, chaotic circulation, and lack of public space, while demand for quality living raises requirements for spatial openness, ecology, and social inclusiveness. It analyzes design strategies including composite utilization of underground space, ecological compensation through rooftop gardens, and cross-plot three-dimensional corridors, combined with coordination of ownership division, full-process cost control, and policy tool innovation, to construct a comprehensive improvement mechanism of "physical optimization, ownership coordination, and economic balance," intended to provide a replicable design paradigm and decision-making reference for improving the quality and efficiency of existing land in high-density urban development.

Muhammad Prakarsa Al Qadr Saleh, Djibran Dirgantara, Adhita Arif Setyawan · Dinasti Information and Technology · Indonesia

A study for the "Buruan SAE" (Healthy, Natural, Economical) urban farming program in Maleer, Bandung City, Indonesia, designed and developed a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce website to address marketing and sales problems previously handled through word-of-mouth and manual paper-based records. Citing suboptimal market penetration, stock uncertainty for prospective buyers, and high financial-loss risk given vegetables' perishability, the project used a risk-driven Spiral model methodology, collecting data through interviews, observation, and literature study. Business process analysis identified four main problem areas: product publication, stock management, ordering and transactions, and financial recording. The study reports that a structured web-based e-commerce system can shorten the distribution chain, ensure catalog-stock synchronization, and minimize manual recording errors.

· Wikipedia · Indonesia

Indonesian politician Ridwan Kamil (born 1971) served as mayor of Bandung from 2013 to 2018. Before becoming mayor, he was a pioneer of the 'Indonesia Berkebun' (Gardening Indonesia) urban farming movement, which had grown to 14 cities with about 4,000 members by 2011. As mayor, he also worked pro bono on creating public open spaces in crowded residential areas of Bandung.

Singh C., Koduganti M., Patil S. · Urban Studies · India

A study measuring the self-reported wellbeing outcomes of urban agriculture in India at individual and community level, drawing on a household survey (n=361), key informant interviews (n=50) and in-depth interviews with home gardeners (n=7). Its novelty is a dataset covering both formal and informal settlements, going beyond existing Indian data. Wellbeing is operationalised through physical and mental health, intra-family, community and beyond-human connectedness, and contribution to pro-environmental values. The authors find significant perceived benefits at individual, household and community levels, and that urban agriculture lets citizens participate, innovate and collectivise in deeply meaningful ways — concluding that it needs to be recognised and mainstreamed within ongoing urban sustainability and climate initiatives.

Global research network · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Australia, Canada, China

Bibliometric analysis of 710+ articles on urban food resilience, documenting evolution of connections between urban-planning-environment clusters and food-agriculture systems globally.

· Journal of Urban Planning and Development · China (Xi'an)

Analyzes the interactions and synergies between urban agriculture and urban–rural integration through a case study of Xi'an, China.

· Sustainability · China

A study exploring the multifaceted value of urban agriculture in China based on three urban agriculture case studies.

· Environmental Policy and Governance · China

Analyzes how citizen participation in China's community gardens is governed within state-licensed frameworks, conceptualized as an 'authoritarian commons.' Examines the relationship between participatory greening and governance.

· Geo: Geography and Environment · China (Zhengzhou)

Analyzes 'quiet' green community innovations—resident greening and gardening at the interface of public and private ownership—in an old neighbourhood of Zhengzhou, China.

· Frontiers in Sustainability · Indonesia

A mixed-methods study of visitors to a university ecofarm, assessing their motivations, learning experiences, and perceptions of facilities during on-site visits.

Donthi R. B. R., Ramannagari B. · Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management · Anantapur, India

Based on a door-to-door survey of 110 households in Anantapur, India, biodegradable waste exceeded 70% of total waste and 88% favoured source segregation, supporting decentralized composting as a low-cost complement to centralized systems.

Deborah Dutta, Amrita Hazra · SAGE Journals · India

Explores socio-ecological dimensions of urban gardening practices in India. Examines how citizen-driven agriculture nurtures social spaces, ecological value, and innovative imagination in urban contexts.

Yati Sri Hayati, Sitawati Sitawati, Annisa Wuri Kartika, Niko Dima Kristianingrum, Sri Soenarti, Velinda Dewi Lutfiana, Risma Dwi Rahmawati, Herdyana Lintang Sari, Tria Armannaena, Nurliza Prita Arfiati · Kontribusi Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Malang)

This study evaluated whether interventions of knowledge and community empowerment could improve the effectiveness of urban farming for the elderly in the Kurnia Lestari farmer group in Malang City, Indonesia. Intervention activities were conducted using a community empowerment model, including agricultural assistance, health education, ergonomic exercises, and health checks. Results showed an average increase of 5 kg in agricultural products per harvest due to changes in planting media and land settings. The activity is concluded to enhance the economic value of urban elderly groups through increased product and harvest quality, and improved quality of life for the elderly.

Sriyanto Sriyanto, Eva Banowati, Edi Kurniawan, Fikri Amrullah, Ervando Tommy Al-Hanif · Society Jurnal Pengabdian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Karimunjawa)

This participatory urban farming program in Karimunjawa, Indonesia, aimed to improve community welfare and food security by empowering village women and youth to utilize their yards. Through socialization, training, and mentoring in techniques like polybag farming and composting, the program increased community farming skills. Evaluation via surveys, interviews, and observations showed most participants successfully applied techniques, producing food for consumption and experiencing economic benefits and improved food availability.

Hang Yu, Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Mohd Nazri Saidon, Mohd Amirul Hussain · Landscape Research · China (Shenyang)

This study critically examined how community-led edible landscapes intersect with tensions of urban redevelopment, memory politics, and governance ambiguity in post-industrial Shenyang, China. Using a qualitative case study approach, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and spatial documentation, findings showed that while edible landscapes can revitalize neglected spaces and evoke industrial memory, they also face instability, informal governance, and socio-environmental risks.

Ibnu Akmal Khuluqi, Muhammad Azhari, Rahmawati Munir · TRANSFORM Journal of Tropical Architecture and Sustainable Urban Science · Indonesia (Bontang Baru)

A qualitative case study in Guyub Rukun RT 18, Bontang Baru, Indonesia, investigated the implementation of urban farming. The study found that urban farming improved local food security, strengthened social ties, and was supported by CSR funds. However, it faced challenges such as limited technology and resources, which were overcome through manual adaptation and cross-sector collaboration.