Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1545 results(52 / 62)
都市农业 农业里的“高大上”
2014古月 · 新农业 · Global
This paper describes urban agriculture using the popular 2013 term "gaodashang" (high-end, atmospheric, and classy). Urban agriculture is an industry in urbanized areas that utilizes pastoral landscapes, natural ecology, and environmental resources, combining agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery production, agricultural business activities, rural culture, and rural life. It provides places for people to engage in leisure tourism, experience agriculture, and understand rural areas, integrating the three functions of agricultural production, life, and ecology.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeFood education– Regenerative design and development
2014Dominique Hes, Chrisna du Plessis · · Global
This chapter examines how the Living Building Challenge (LBC) supports transformation towards an ecological worldview, focusing on its "Petals." The LBC's Site Petal determines where and what type of development can be built and how to restore a place, while the Urban Agriculture Imperative requires projects to contribute to local and regional food production. The Energy Petal aims to utilize the site's energy budget, and the Materials Petal is noted for its demanding imperatives.
PolicyCommunityClimate changeThe potential of aquaponics for food production in the cities of the future
2014Ranka Junge, Andreas Graber · Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) · Global
This paper discusses the need for practical tools and a stronger scientific base for sustainable urban farming, noting that visionary schemes often lack current practical application with available technologies. It identifies requirements for urban food production, including high quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness, and suggests innovations in planting, pest control, irrigation, and integration with existing building infrastructures. Aquaponics is presented as having the potential to contribute to all these aspects.
Limited or null effectDigital agricultureEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceInsects as a sustainable alternative to feed animals in the city
2014Jan Jansen · · Global
This research explored how insects can add value to urban farming by up-cycling waste streams into high-grade nutrients and compost, focusing on their use as animal feed. Through expert interviews with urban farming practitioners and pet owners (165 respondents, 59 in urban environments), a concept was developed for growing black soldier fly larvae on organic waste to replace meat in carnivorous animal diets, specifically for dogs. Over half of urban respondents indicated no municipal green waste pickup, and over 50% practiced urban farming.
Organic cycleClimate changeFood lossRemaking Pittsburgh: Permaculture soundscapes
2014Jeremy Woodruff · Journal of sonic studies · United States (Pittsburgh)
This essay explores the contribution of sound art to progressive ecology groups in Pittsburgh, focusing on the installation "Gongburgh: Steeltown Forests" developed at the Hazelwood Food Forest (HFF). The composition, using sounds from the urban garden, gamelan, and steel factories, aimed to create social connections and promote the HFF through a sustainable music-making experiment. It highlights novel similarities and differences between these sounds and their social organization, raising political questions for the garden and listeners.
CommunityBiodiversityClimate changeVertical farming and urban agriculture
2014Mike Nichols · Practical Hydroponics and Greenhouses · United Kingdom
The International Conference on Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture was held at the University of Nottingham, England, on September 9-10, 2014. This event gathered scientists, engineers, industrialists, and policymakers to discuss current ideas, technologies, commercial applications, and research opportunities in vertical farming and urban agriculture. It served as a forum to evaluate benefits, opportunities, risks, and challenges, and to foster collaboration between academic and commercial sectors.
PolicyEconomicsClimate changeNatuculture: Urban farming for the future
2014R. Panwala, Alyssa Joyce, Manuel R. Reyes · VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) · Global
Natuculture is defined as any human-made system that mimics nature in human-disturbed landscapes. It is an agroecologically balanced and biologically diverse system designed for food production, stormwater treatment, and recreation.
BiodiversityClimate changeOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceBuilding a Modern Agricultural Planting Garden in an Urban Area, Restoration of Shenzhen Central Park, Guangdong, China
2014Yan Xu · ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst (University of Massachusetts Amherst) · China
This master project proposes a restoration plan for building a modern agricultural planting garden in an urban area for Shenzhen Central Park, China. The plan is based on field study, literature review, background data analysis, and case studies, addressing challenges such as weak accessibility, lack of social activity, and loss of cultural identity. The proposed multi-functional agricultural planting garden explores the possibility of improving community and urban health through urban agriculture.
CommunityFood educationPolicyClimate changeSmall-scale water reuse for urban agriculture in Namibia: Modeling water flows and productivity
2014Laura Woltersdorf, Stefan Liehr, Ruth Scheidegger, Petra Döll · Urban Water Journal · Namibia
This abstract is an erratum notice for a previously published article titled "Small-scale water reuse for urban agriculture in Namibia: Modeling water flows and productivity." It states that Table 3 in the original online publication was incorrectly amended during revision and provides the correct version of the table, specifically mentioning "Pathogen reduction (log units)".
Climate changeEconomicsProyectos de Investigación europeos y congresos internacionales sobre agricultura urbana y periurbana
2014H. Renting · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Europe
This contribution highlights a growing research interest in urban and peri-urban agriculture and related public policies, particularly within Europe and internationally. It presents major European research projects and relevant recent international conferences focusing on urban and peri-urban agriculture. The paper outlines proposed debate topics and analytical approaches used in these initiatives.
PolicyPeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeIs Growing Food Within the City Sustainable? Urban Agriculture in Montpellier (France)
2014Pascale Scheromm, Coline Perrin, Christophe‐Toussaint Soulard · Espaces et sociétés · France (Montpellier)
A study of urban agriculture in Montpellier, France, utilized policy analysis, spatial analysis, and an analysis of urban agricultural actors' practices and representations. The research revealed a great diversity in urban agriculture and a gap between its perception in urban policy and its spatial realities. Traditional agriculture is declining despite occupying more land, while new forms like gardens and agriparks are emerging, fostering interactions between public actors and citizens.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeStudy of Improving the Biotope Area Ratio System for Urban Agriculture Vitalization - Focus on Daylight Condition Analysis-
2014Gunwon Lee, Yunnam Jeong, Byunghak Min, Seiyong Kim · Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society · South Korea
This study investigated improving South Korea's Biotope Area Ratio system for urban agriculture vitalization. The research found that the existing Biotope Area Ratio indicators, which only consider soil depth and permeability, have limitations in managing plant growth for urban agriculture. Focusing on daylight conditions as a critical factor, the study concluded that the current Biotope Area Ratio indicators are insufficient for adequately addressing plant growth in urban agriculture.
Governance failurePolicyClimate changeClimate-smart urban agriculture in eThekwini
2014J.F.Y.A. Knegtel, Sershen Naidoo · · South Africa
This article describes the findings of a recent study conducted in the low-income area of Cato Manor, eThekwini, South Africa. The study investigated whether climate-smart urban agriculture could improve the livelihoods of people in urban environments affected by climate change and globalization.
Climate changeCommunityWelfareA Probe on Urban Agriculture-Oriented Ecological City
2014Tong Zhou, Tao Zhao · Applied Mechanics and Materials · Global
This article introduced the connotation and function of urban agriculture, analyzing the relationship between its development and ecological city construction. It concluded that the development of urban agriculture is conducive to eco-city construction and an inevitable choice for it.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyClimate changeEvaluation of Urban Forestry and Housing Patterns in Awka Metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria
2014H. C. Agada, E. A. Obienusi, Emma E. Ezenwaji · Journal of environment and earth science · Nigeria
This study evaluated urban forestry and housing patterns in Awka metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria, over a ten-year period (2001-2010). Analysis of land use data using linear regression and correlation coefficients confirmed a significant correlation between housing patterns (urbanization) and the distribution of trees (forestry). The least square regression results indicated that the rate of forest displacement is a direct consequence of increasing structural development in the study area.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkageClimate changePolicyImpacts of urbanization on urban agricultural landscape——A case study of Chang'an District, Xi'an City
2014Yu Wang · · China (Xi'an City)
This study analyzed the dynamic changes in urban agricultural landscape (arable lands and garden plots) due to urbanization in Chang'an District, Xi'an City, China, using remote sensing, GIS, and FRAG-STAT techniques. Compared to 1999, arable land area decreased and aggregation declined by 2.45% in 2011, while garden plot area increased and aggregation rose by 10.44%. Improved urbanization levels decreased arable land area and increased fragmentation, but correlations with garden plot landscape indexes were insignificant.
Environmental trade-offsUrban–rural linkageClimate changePolicyPresent Situation of Protected Horticulture in Hainan and Its Strategy for Sustainable Development
2014Tian Lib · Chinese Journal of Tropical Agriculture · China (Hainan)
This paper summarized the status of protected horticulture in Hainan, China, identifying major problems such as a deficiency of special varieties, unsuitable introduced facility types, lack of a non-nuisance production system, and insufficient capacity for resisting natural disasters and environmental control. To achieve sustainable development, the local government needs to strengthen funding and policy support, enhance farmers' awareness of pollution-free production, and improve management techniques.
Governance failureClimate changeEconomicsPolicy[Estimation on value of water and soil conservation of agricultural ecosystems in Xi' an metropolitan, Northwest China].
2014Wenyan Yang, Zhongxue Zhou · PubMed · China (Xi'an)
This study estimated the water and soil conservation service value of agricultural ecosystems in Xi'an metropolitan, China, from 2000 to 2011, using remote sensing and GIS methods. The total value increased significantly over the period, with cultivated land, forest, and grassland providing higher values than other land uses. The value decreased from south to north and showed a negative correlation with urbanization level, indicating lower values in more urbanized areas.
BiodiversityClimate changeEconomicsClimate-Resilient Design Strategies for Urban Drainage Systems in Coastal Ghana
2014Yaw Kofi, Abena Adwoa, Kwasi Anane · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Ghana
Urban drainage systems in coastal Ghana are vulnerable to climate-induced flooding due to rising sea levels and increased rainfall intensity. Hydrological models indicated a need for increased stormwater infiltration capacity in ATMA, especially along the coastal belt where sea levels could rise by up to 50 cm. Designing drainage systems with enhanced permeability and elevated flood walls is recommended to ensure resilience against projected climate change risks over the next three decades.
Climate changePolicyBiodiversityDecentralised Sanitation and Energy Reuse in the Built Environment
2014Guang Zhao · Applied Mechanics and Materials · Global
This paper presents a concept for building-integrated decentralized technologies for wastewater and organic waste treatment with energy and nutrient recovery, termed a "sustainable implant," for deep green housing districts. It explores the potentials of integrating solutions for energy and sanitation flows near their origin, linking sanitation to energy and food production. The system layout and dimensioning are explained, noting scale limitations and its application in a unique intentional community, with no other similar urban district-scale projects found worldwide.
Organic cycleCompostClimate changeEffects of Evapotranspiration on Mitigation of Urban Temperature by Vegetation and Urban Agriculture
2013Guoyu Qiu, Hong-yong LI, Qingtao Zhang, Wan Chen, Xiao-jian LIANG, Xiang-ze LI · Journal of Integrative Agriculture · Global
A literature review examined the effects of evapotranspiration (ET) from vegetation and urban agriculture on urban temperatures. The review indicated that vegetation and urban agricultural ET can reduce urban temperatures by 0.5 to 4.0°C. Green roofs and water bodies also effectively reduce urban temperatures, with cooling effects on ambient temperature ranging from 0.24-4.0°C and on roof surface temperature from 0.8-60.0°C. Water bodies can be 2-6°C cooler than surrounding built environments, and a 16 m² water body can cool 2,826 m³ of nearby space by 1°C.
Climate changeEvaluation of Vegetable Production on Extensive Green Roofs
2013Leigh Whittinghill, D. Bradley Rowe, Bert M. Cregg · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This study evaluated vegetable and herb production across three growing systems—a green roof, raised green roof platforms, and in-ground—over three seasons (2009–2011). Tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, basil, and chives were cultivated. All plants except pepper survived and produced biomass in all systems, yielding crops for analysis in 2009 and 2010. Yields and basil biomass were higher in-ground in 2009, while roof and platform systems showed similar results. The study suggests that vegetable and herb production is possible and productive in extensive green roof systems with proper management.
DIYClimate changeOrganic cycleEnvironmental Challenges Threatening the Growth of Urban Agriculture in the United States
2013Sam E. Wortman, Sarah Taylor Lovell · Journal of Environmental Quality · United States
This review paper characterized the limited state of scientific knowledge regarding abiotic environmental factors threatening the growth of urban agriculture in the United States. It identified challenges influencing urban cropping systems, including soil contamination and remediation, atmospheric pollutants and altered climatic conditions, and water management, sources, and safety. The development of a science-based approach in these areas is noted as essential for the economic and environmental sustainability of urban agriculture.
Contamination & food safetyClimate changeEconomicsCommunityFood educationTo Develop Urban Agriculture in Small Towns Using the Concept of Ecological Civilization
2013Lijie He · · China
This article analyzes the current situation and problems of urban agricultural development in small towns of China. It identifies severe problems hindering progress, including decreasing agricultural land, severe waste of land resources, serious agricultural pollution, low quality and income of agricultural labor, limited transport capacity, insufficient funding, and a lack of related policies and regulations.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsClimate changeUrban–rural linkageUrbanization and Its Impacts to Food Systems and Environmental Sustainability in Urban Space: Evidence from Urban Agriculture Livelihoods in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2013Wakuru Magigi · Journal of Environmental Protection · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This paper explores Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, demonstrating that urban agriculture provides urban ecosystem services and contributes to environmental sustainability. The study highlights the interconnections of environmental justice, urban ecosystem services, and climate change, which influence land governance and productivity. It suggests that with increasing population, a clear spatial land use planning and management strategy is required to enhance food systems and urban environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities.
Urban–rural linkageClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsCommunity