Research & reports

Rowena Passy · Education 3-13 · Global

This article reports on two projects investigating school gardens, finding that while they can effectively engage primary children in learning, a divide exists among teachers regarding garden use. The article argues that mixed messages in policy concerning outdoor learning act as a barrier to teachers utilizing school gardens.

Seokhwan Lee · Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society · Global

This research aims to provide a theoretical basis for sustainable urban regeneration by studying the place value improvement through urban agriculture, applying the concept of creative industry convergence. It identifies problems with existing urban development methods and highlights the strengths of urban agriculture with creative industry convergence in enhancing place value. The study proposes a new paradigm for urban regeneration.

Sylvestre Dasylva · Journal of environmental science & engineering · Senegal (Dakar)

This paper discusses rainwater management in the "niayes" zone of Dakar, Senegal. This area is characterized by agricultural depressions with typically high groundwater levels, but a recent drop has turned some into runoff-gathering sites, used for urban agriculture among other services. However, two acute problems are observed: hydrological drying due to insufficient rainwater refill and urbanization of these bottom-lands. Furthermore, decreasing pluviometry exacerbates nuisances like floods and malaria.

Dan Rabinowitz · International Journal of the Commons · Israel

This article extends Common Pool Resources (CPR) theory to residential complexes, defining Residual Residential Space (RRS) such as courtyards and lobbies as a new sub-set of CPR. Based on findings from three types of RRS in Israel, the study suggests that legal instruments alone are insufficient for regulating such spaces. Effective regulation requires alignment with popular framings of RRS, local sensibilities, and stakeholders' community expectations.

Indrė Gražulevičiūtė–Vileniškė, Jurga Vitkuvienė · American Journal of Tourism Management · Lithuania

This research addresses the threat of rapid urban expansion to valuable rural heritage, specifically Lithuanian manor residencies, which are historically agricultural but increasingly affected by urban growth. The study aimed to develop interdisciplinary guidelines for managing these manor residential ensembles within urbanized areas. Methods included literature analysis and photographic surveys of manor residencies in Kaunas, Lithuania, also considering their connection to tourism.

Yun Xiao-lan, Yun, Xiao-Lan · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Global

This paper explores the mechanism for increasing effective inputs in urban agriculture by linking its value chain with other industries. It introduces value chain management concepts, current utilization situations, and the meaning of this mechanism. The study aims to understand how urban agriculture can enhance its effective inputs through an industrial value chain approach.

BD Mntambo · Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania · Tanzania

In Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania, a study examined urban agriculture practices within the policy context, focusing on the experiences and attitudes of women cultivating vegetables in open spaces through an in-depth survey. Findings indicated that women's participation in urban agriculture contributes to food security, increased household income, and poverty reduction. However, a mismatch exists between the benefits of urban farming and current policies, negatively affecting women's participation, as policies are not supportive of urban farmers, particularly women, leading to small-scale cultivation and low income.

Nelly Niwa, Frédéric Frank · Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) · Switzerland

This record is a reference to an article titled "Vaud 2013, quelle agriculture pour quel territoire?" with keywords including agriculture, urban agriculture, and land use planning. No further abstract content is provided.

Isabel María Madaleno, Gladys Armijo · Investigaciones Geográficas Boletín del Instituto de Geografía · Chile (Santiago de Chile), Portugal (Lisboa)

This study compared intra- and peri-urban agriculture in Santiago de Chile and Lisbon, Portugal, two capitals with similar climates. The research utilized satellite images, statistics, and sampling to analyze public policies that support primary sector activities in these urban environments. The objective was to identify similarities and differences in how urban agriculture contributes to social, economic, and environmental sustainability in these cities.

Greg Sharzer · Historical Materialism · Global

This critique examines urban agriculture (UA) in the Global North through the lens of capitalist production, specifically capital centralization and rent. It argues that while UA can occupy market niches, its prospects for replacing large-scale agriculture are limited. The expansion of UA is constrained by rising land values and rent, as evidenced by examples in Detroit, Markham, and Los Angeles.

Carmenza Ochoa Ochoa · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Colombia

Applied research based on Participatory Action Research (IAP) was conducted in Soacha municipality, Cundinamarca, Colombia, with vulnerable populations participating in an urban agriculture program. The study aimed to develop local and simple alternatives for environmental management and landscape improvement, focusing on the reuse and proper management of wastewater for crop irrigation. The project was carried out as stipulated and evolved during its implementation due to its IAP methodology, with observations, conclusions, and notes presented.

Chris Beer · Australian Planner · Australia

This paper examines how food security is conceptualized in Australian urban planning debates, focusing on urban and peri-urban agriculture and consumer access to healthy food. It argues these dimensions relate to planning's management of risk and freedom within liberal polities. The paper discusses tensions between scarcity, fear, affluence, and normative values in urban planning.

Christoph Kasper, Undine Giseke, Silvia Martin Han · · Morocco

As part of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research's "Future Megacities" research program, the Urban Agriculture Casablanca (UAC) project investigates the extent to which urban agriculture can contribute to sustainable city design. This project aims to integrate the provision of open space within integrated and sustainable urban growth in Casablanca, Morocco. Based on an action research approach, integrated case studies in peri-urban spaces and four pilot projects were implemented, identifying synergy potentials between the city and agriculture in connection with other relevant sectors of the social and economic system.

Stefan Reuburn · · Global

This introductory note for a special issue provides an overview of urban agriculture initiatives globally. It points out that social science-based research on urban agriculture is currently exploratory and descriptive, and is in its initial stage of development.

Fernando Menendez Cobelo · · Venezuela (Caracas)

This project focuses on Caracas, Venezuela, against the backdrop of global economic transformations and population growth redefining urban boundaries and forms. Caracas faces housing issues and urban spatial imbalances due to rapid urbanization and population influx from past oil industries. The presence of large underutilized spaces, such as the 103-hectare former military airport site "La Cariota" in the city center, is noted as hindering urban improvement.

Djola Diop, Wally Ndiaye, Cheick Mbaye · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Senegal (Dakar)

Urban food security is a critical issue in Dakar's housing projects, where limited access to fresh produce exacerbates poverty and malnutrition. This action research study conducted qualitative interviews with 50 participants from four housing projects in Dakar to understand their gardening practices and perceptions of food security. Residents reported a significant 34% increase in fresh produce consumption due to community gardens, leading to improved health outcomes. Community gardens have successfully contributed to urban food security by fostering local nutrition and improving residents' well-being.

Stefan Reyburn · · Global

This special issue compiles eight texts on urban agriculture initiatives, highlighting their diverse forms and contexts. It notes that urban agriculture research intersects multiple disciplines and that social science research on this topic is still in its early, exploratory, and descriptive stages.

Marcela Galindo Molina, Liliana Patricia Gutiérrez Castro, Luviany Andrea Trujillo Nieto, Marcela Galindo Molina, Liliana Patricia Gutiérrez Castro, Luviany Andrea Trujillo Nieto, Marcela Galindo Molina, Liliana Patricia Gutiérrez Castro, Luviany Andrea Trujillo Nieto · Ciencia Unisalle (Universidad de La Salle) · Colombia (Bogotá)

This study analyzed the case of Cooperativa Multiactiva Sur Oriental, a solidarity association centered on urban agriculture in Bogotá, Colombia. Despite being strengthened with agricultural expertise, this association lacks an administrative scheme for proper resource management to generate surpluses and social development benefits for its members. Through participatory action research, the study aims to strengthen the cooperative's administrative and accounting processes to improve its urban agriculture business.

Raúl Puente-Asuero · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This chapter provides a critical and propositional analysis of the integration of agricultural production into contemporary urban metabolism. It positions urban agriculture as a strategic green infrastructure capable of mitigating the dysfunctions of the diffuse city model. The text analyzes how urban agriculture acts as a mechanism for urban resilience, allowing the city to recover lost ecosystem functions, improve social cohesion, and reduce its ecological footprint through food sovereignty and on-site organic waste management.

Dehui Wu · Journal of Xinyang Agricultural College · Global

This article presents advanced experiences in urban agricultural development from both domestic and international contexts. It also discusses the developing trends in urban agriculture.

Katrin Bohn, André Viljoen · · Global

This paper focuses on urban agriculture as a major component of CPUL (Continuous Productive Urban Landscape). The CPUL City concept aims to make urban spaces more productive and desirable for citizens by planfully introducing continuous productive urban landscapes, including urban agriculture, into cities. The CPUL City concept proposes that urban agriculture can contribute to more sustainable and resilient food systems while also adding beneficially to the spatial quality of the urban realm.

Rabiul Islam, Chamhuri Siwar · Advances in Environmental Biology · Malaysia

This research analyzed the current situation and future potential of urban agriculture in Malaysia using a literature review. Study participants demonstrated a relatively greater awareness of environmental and community benefits of urban agriculture compared to food security, health, or economic benefits. Malaysian urban agriculture was found to be constrained by a lack of adequate land use planning, weak support for urban farmers, and an absence of an integrated development approach. Major challenges identified included perceptions of limited space, limited resources, and education.

Stefan Reyburn · Environnement urbain · Global

This abstract is an article on the challenges and prospects of urban agriculture, published in the journal Urban Environment via the Érudit platform. This abstract does not contain detailed content regarding specific challenges or prospects related to urban agriculture governance.

· · Global

This paper proposes Continuous Productive Urban Landscapes (CPULs) as a complement to the compact city model, arguing that urban food production contributes to environmental sustainability. The CPUL model suggests that not all brownfield sites must be built upon, while still maximizing sustainable returns from land use. This combination is envisioned to create a new type of city.

Yves ZONGO, Isidore Mbock, Ngaïmi Fongòmba, Siméon Ndayizeye · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Ghana

To evaluate the impact of community gardening initiatives on food security in Ghanaian towns, a structured survey was administered online and through face-to-face interviews. Findings indicated that community garden programs resulted in an average of 20% increase in vegetable production per household, with significant improvements noted among women and youth participants who traditionally had limited access to fresh produce.