Research & reports

WUR GTB Gewasgezondheid Bodem en Water, C. van der Salm, WUR GTB Tuinbouw Technologie, David Katzin, E. van Os, M.G.M. Raaphorst · · Algeria

In this study, a greenhouse was designed for optimal production in the coastal area near Algiers. Data showed two main options for optimal production of tomatoes and similar products: winter production in a heated greenhouse or summer production with air-conditioning and CO2 injection. Estimated production is fairly similar for both seasons, but summer production costs are 30% higher. While investment costs for the summer production scenario are higher, running costs are lower due to less additional water and energy needed in summer.

Elena Todorova, Miglena Zhiyanski · One Ecosystem · Bulgaria (Sofia)

This study examined urban soil conditions and their potential for regulating ecosystem services in different functional zones of Sofia, Bulgaria. Data from 30 experimental plots (0-10 cm soil layer) were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe) and soil quality indicators (pH, CEC, total carbon, total nitrogen). The results showed differences in the capacity of green, industrial, residential, and urban agriculture zones to regulate and maintain soil quality, informing mitigation measures for soil protection and restoration.

Asib Ahmed, Nazmun Nahar, Md. Shamim Hossain, Md. Shams Shahriar · Social Science Review · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

This study identified spatio-temporal changes in rooftop gardening (RTG) practices in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) between 2016 and 2021, using digitized Google Earth images. The DMA experienced a moderate 15% increase in RTG during this period, with the western part having a larger RTG area than the eastern part. Planned residential areas showed higher RTG areas, while most government/non-government buildings had less RTG across 20 zones and the Dhaka Cantonment area.

Juan Camilo Ochoa Céspedes · Entorno Geográfico · Colombia (Medellín)

This paper critically analyzes peri-urban and peri-urban agriculture, addressing problems of territorial tension resulting from the accelerated expansion of real estate into peri-urban areas due to low urban land availability. The discussion questions the economic, environmental, and social risks of this expansion, highlighting tensions and resistance. The paper illustrates these issues with examples from the peri-urban area of Medellín and its metropolitan area.

Naoual Zerrari, Naoual Raïs, Mustapha Ijjaali · Soil and Sediment Contamination An International Journal · Morocco (Fez)

Nine soil samples from agricultural soils in Fez-Upstream, Morocco, were analyzed to assess concentrations of major elements, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and heavy metals. The soils were enriched by light REEs, and the contamination factor and degree of contamination indicated moderate and low contamination, respectively. However, all sampling sites showed PLI values above 1, indicating obvious anthropogenic pollution due to human activities.

Md. Ujjal Husen, Nazmun Naher, Zannatul Firdaus Binte Habib, Hapsa Rahaman, Abdul Halim · Journal of Experimental Agriculture International · Bangladesh

A pot experiment at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, conducted from November 2021 to April 2022, examined the productivity of chili (BARI Morich 3) on rooftops of different building heights compared with a ground plot, using a Completely Randomized Design with four replications across four treatments: ground control (0.0 m), a three-storied rooftop (11.28 m), a six-storied rooftop (21.34 m), and a ten-storied rooftop (34.75 m). As building height increased, soil moisture, plant height, stem diameter, leaf/branch/fruit numbers, fresh and dry plant weight, single-fruit weight/length/diameter, and yield fresh and dry weight per plant all significantly decreased (ground > 3-story > 6-story > 10-story), while air temperature, soil temperature, and light intensity significantly increased with height. Ground level performed best, and the study suggests rooftops up to three stories can be selected as suitable for chili rooftop gardening.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · FAO · Global

Using FAO's newly developed Urban Rural Catchment Areas (URCA) dataset, the report analyzes household survey data from 11 African countries. It finds reliance on purchased food is high even in rural areas 1-2 hours (56%) and over 2 hours (52%) from an urban centre, with own production covering only 33-37% of consumption value in low- and high-food-budget countries respectively. Processed food penetration extends even to remote rural areas, and the report concludes that affordability of healthy diets is a critical issue across the entire rural-urban continuum, not just in cities.

Nitya Rao, Sheetal Patil, Chandni Singh, Parama Roy, Charles Pryor, Prathigna Poonacha, Mariam Genes · Sustainable Cities and Society · Global

This systematic literature review analyzed 320 articles quantitatively and 86 qualitatively from a total of 4029, examining outcomes of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) on sustainability and wellbeing. The review confirmed an exponential increase in UPA literature since 2015 and a regional bias towards the Global North. It identified six thematic outcomes across environmental, economic, and social sustainability pillars, with environmental sustainability being most discussed and gender and social differentiation least represented.

Andrea Fantini · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global

This paper analyzes the functions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) as a strategy for sustainable and resilient urban food systems and for coping with global emergencies. It identifies various functions of UPA and how they connect, but also discusses obstacles to its large-scale implementation. The paper highlights that despite its potential, significant barriers hinder UPA's widespread adoption.

Amy Lawton, Nicky Morrison · Land Use Policy · Australia (Greater Western Sydney)

This study examines the drivers of peri-urban agricultural land loss in Greater Western Sydney, Australia, with a focus on the role of government agencies. It found that competing housing priorities and private market interests continue to take precedence over protecting agricultural land. The research indicates that this trend will persist unless the current pro-urbanization narrative and associated political priorities are altered.

Imen Bendjemila, Salah Chaouche · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Algeria

Urban sprawl in N'Gaous, Algeria, expanded its land area by over ten times (from 33.7 to 379.7 hectares) and its population by over six times (from 4,887 to 33,515 persons) over 60 years. This rapid growth creates significant issues, particularly for peri-urban orchards, which are the primary economic activity. The study used an analytical approach with Geographic Information Systems to assess the agronomic potential of soils and quantify agricultural land consumed by construction, aiming to achieve an optimal agri-urban balance rather than merely avoiding urban expansion.

Claudia Ortega Realpe, Edna Katalina Medina, Óscar Fernández · Boletín Epidemiológico Distrital - Bed · Colombia

Bogotá's District Health Secretariat implemented agroecological urban gardens from January to September 2021 to address COVID-19's social impacts. The community environment showed the highest healthy and sustainable food production, with Sumapaz, Usme, and Ciudad Bolívar having the largest planted areas. Vegetables and greens were the most relevant crops, while medicinal and aromatic plants were common in home gardens. The community showed good reception and acceptance, contributing to food security and environmental health.

Yurisandra Sierra Reyes, Ernesto Juniors Pérez Torres, Ana de Dios Martínez, Manuel Francisco Rodríguez Saldaña, Arialsis Adán Verdugo · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Cuba (Camagüey)

To evaluate the use of agroecological technologies in the Urban Farm of Camagüey municipality, semi-structured anonymous surveys were applied to 77 managers and producers (43 producers, 34 managers) working in the Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture Program. The surveys identified agroecological technologies such as crop rotation and intercropping, biofertilizers, insect traps, and biological products. Organopónicos, semi-protected, and intensive gardens were identified as the units systematically applying these technologies, with farms and plots doing so to a lesser extent.

Jihan Faouzi, Imane Bedoui, Sanae Rezouki, Tarik Moubchir, Aimad Allali, Noureddine Eloutassi, Amal Lahkimi · Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology · Morocco (Fez)

This study in Fez, Morocco, compared bacteriological and parasitological contamination in urban, peri-urban, and rural irrigation waters, and their transfer to soil and crops (cardoon and eggplant). Investigated microorganisms included total and thermotolerant coliforms, helminth eggs, Salmonella, and cholera vibrio. Results revealed contamination exceeding national and international standards for both types of coliforms in treated wastewater (TWW), wastewater (WW), Oued Fez water, and upstream well water in both winter and summer. This fecal contamination was found in soils and crops irrigated by urban and peri-urban water. Helminth eggs and cholera vibrio were also present in these waters, soils, and crops, with Salmonella detected in TWW in summer. Only the plot irrigated with Oued Bitit water in the rural zone met standards across all three levels of irrigated water, soil, and plants, and in both periods.

Kamonashish Haldar, Katarzyna Kujawa-Roeleveld, Tapos Kumar Acharjee, Dilip Kumar Datta, H.H.M. Rijnaarts · The Science of The Total Environment · Bangladesh

This paper assesses urban water as an alternative freshwater resource for irrigation in the Bengal delta, Bangladesh, where coastal plains face irrigation water shortages. Using the FAO AquaCrop model, it was found that 7.4 million m3 of irrigation water is needed for Boro rice during the dry season, while over 8.2 million m3 of urban water is generated. Mismatches between demand and supply occurred in February and March, suggesting a need for water storage capacities and policy changes to facilitate urban water reuse infrastructure.

Werner Rolf · · Global

This work introduces a typology for spatial planning to integrate peri-urban farmland into Green Infrastructure, aiming to develop multifunctional open space networks. The typology, based on an inter- and transdisciplinary approach and evidence synthesis, suggests that peri-urban farmland has potential to address urban challenges like biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.

Imen Bendjemila, Salah Chaouche · Prostor : znanstveni časopis za arhitekturu i urbanizam · Algeria

This study investigated urban growth and urbanization in N'Gaous, Algeria, over the last 60 years, using an analytical approach and Geographic Information Systems to assess the agronomic potential of soils. It found that N'Gaous experienced significant urban sprawl, with its land area expanding over ten times and population increasing more than six times, leading to serious issues for peri-urban orchards. The study quantified and monitored the agricultural potential consumed by construction, highlighting the negative impact of urban expansion on agricultural land.

Eleano Rodrigues da Silva, Sônia Sena Alfaia, Marta Iria da Costa Ayres, S. G. A. de Sousa, Robert Corrêa Rodrigues · Concilium · Global

This study investigated the production of liquid humus (HL) using different solvents and proportions for use in urban and peri-urban afforestation and agriculture. Nutrient content and concentrations, yields, and the odor and appearance of the residue were analyzed. Results indicated that the odor in all HL samples was very mild, practically odorless, allowing their use in urban areas. From the chemical compositions of the analyzed products, it was inferred that HL has potential for use in urban agricultural practices, possibly contributing to improving soil cation exchange capacity (CTC).

Bassey Ebenso, Akaninyene Otu, Alessandro Giusti, Philipe Cousin, Victor O. Adetimirin, Hary Razafindralambo, Emmanuel Effa, Vasileios Gkisakis, Ousmane Thiaré, Vincent Levavasseur, Sonagnon Kouhoundé, Kifouli Adéoti, Abdur Rahim, Majid Mounir · Frontiers in Nutrition · Global

This paper argues that adopting a One Health approach to urban agriculture is crucial for significantly increasing food yields and improving quality of life in cities, given global population growth and urbanization trends. It proposes six nature-based and climate-smart approaches, including reducing synthetic inputs and increasing biodiversity, to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems. These approaches require cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable, nutritious, and accessible diets.

Ibrahima Thiaw, Cheikh Faye, Honoré Dacosta, Diène Dione · International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology · Senegal (Dakar)

A study involving 120 market gardening actors in four market gardening production areas of the Dakar region (Ouakam, Parcelles Assainies, Grand-Yoff, and Hann-Bel-Air) revealed that market gardening, mainly carried out by women, is a commercial activity whose monetary income significantly exceeds the minimum wage in Senegal. While this activity helps women cover urban living expenses, market gardeners face problems such as COVID-19, lack of water, land pressure, pest proliferation, and lack of training on cultivation techniques.

Sara Rawal, Sandesh Thapa · Scientifica · Global

A survey of 116 randomly selected respondents conducted from February 3 to April 6, 2021 in Morang and Sunsari districts, Nepal, assessed rooftop garden (RTG) status, plant diversity and adoption determinants, finding that 30.5% of roofs in Morang and 33.2% in Sunsari were under rooftop farming and that adopters' roof size was significantly larger than non-adopters'. A binary logit model showed age, gender, schooling year, training and farming experience significantly affected RTG adoption; 50 nutritionally important species were reported, ornamental plants showed greater diversity than vegetables, and adopters reported that a lack of proper policy and ineffective management makes it difficult to sustain their rooftop gardens.

Diep, Vu Bach, Dinh Hong Linh, Mai Viet Anh, Điep, Vu Bach · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

Against a backdrop of continuously shrinking agricultural land as it gives way to urban and industrial development, this article analyzes models of urban agriculture development in Thai Nguyen, a province in Vietnam's northern midland and mountainous region with strengths in urban agriculture, using descriptive, comparative, and analytical statistical methods over the period 2015–2020.

Ana Spataru, Robert Faggian, Victor A Sposito · International Journal of Agricultural Resources Governance and Ecology · Global

A paper proposing a comprehensive conceptual framework for assessing metropolitan peri-urban agriculture. It argues that peri-urban agriculture provides non-commodity benefits — food security, farm viability, environmental stewardship, and landscape and socio-cultural preservation — that free markets under-recognize, and that the double vulnerability created by urban pressure and systemic agricultural change has led to myopic policy interventions. The proposed framework integrates the concepts of multifunctional agriculture, resilience, climate-smart agriculture and alternative food networks into 21 enabling features across five dimensions.

Jorgelina Hiba · Infobae (América/Soluciones) · Argentina

Twenty years after launching amid Argentina's 2001 economic crisis, Rosario's Urban Agriculture Programme now supports 360 jobs, this article reports: 30 hectares of urban gardens plus 120 hectares of peri-urban plots, over 300 gardeners (60% women) growing agroecological produce across 7 Park Gardens, sold through 39 outlets, with about 400 heirloom species and varieties held in the CAR seed bank.

Bárbara Corneli Colombatto · enREDando · Argentina

Built around interviews with huerteros (urban gardeners), this piece presents both the achievements and the limits of Rosario's urban agriculture: 7 Park Gardens and 6 group gardens involving over 250 people, 25 hectares producing 2,500 tonnes a year, and a $250,000 international prize won in 2021. It also documents organizational fragmentation among gardeners, a lack of secure land-loan agreements (comodatos), the absence of sustained public investment matching the programme's international recognition, and unresolved conflicts with neighbors that the municipality does not intervene in. It cites a regional statistic that only 18% of farms in Latin America and the Caribbean are run by women.