Research & reports

Iyad Ghazal, Reema Mansour, Marie Davidová · Sustainability · Palestine (Nablus)

This research investigated the potential of farming on facades and roofs across an entire neighborhood. A case study of 22 multi-floor residential buildings in Nablus, Palestine, was conducted using developed parametric tools. Findings indicated that existing facades could provide 28,500 m2 of farming area, with half of facades and all roofs suitable for daylight-based farming. The study found that facades could fulfill 350% of tomato and 237% of cucumber consumption, while roofs could produce over 315 times the local sweet pepper consumption. A modular facade system was designed with an average system cost of $55.2/m2 and a total cost of $1.7M.

Dante Castillo, Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda, Nicolás Contreras-Barraza, Mario Torres-Alcayaga · Horticulturae · Global

This study analyzed thematic trends in school garden research over the past few decades using a bibliometric methodology on 392 articles and review articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. It investigated research trends and found a critical mass of scientific research on school gardens. The analysis revealed thematic trends in discussion journals, terminology, classic papers, and novel authors, suggesting a refocusing on the effects of school gardens beyond educational aspects.

Fernando Arturo Romero Ospina · Ciencia e Interculturalidad · Global

This text emphasizes the importance of school gardens as a setting for promoting critical thinking in multi-grade schools. It uses a qualitative approach to describe critical thinking and its promotion through creation, interpretation, and experimentation based on the See-Think-Ask thinking routine. The study infers that school gardens are valuable for students to share knowledge, work on various school subjects, and for teachers to reflect on pedagogical processes.

Abhinaya Ramadhikka, Ofita Purwani, Sri Yuliani · Arsitektura · Global

This paper focuses on implementing energy and food self-sufficiency in residential buildings by integrating urban agricultural facilities. It aims to fill a literature gap by discussing self-sufficiency specifically in residential buildings with urban agriculture on a microscale. The study formulates how to apply the self-sufficiency concept by calculating residents' food and energy needs and outlining how to achieve them.

Muhammad Luqman, Muhammad Uzair Awan, Shaukat Khan, Razzaq Ahmed, Hsi‐Hsien Yang, Muhammad Rizwan Goraya · Agricultural Water Management · Pakistan (Lahore)

A study in Lahore, Pakistan, investigated trace element (TE) contamination in water, soil, fodder, and buffalo milk due to the use of untreated wastewater from the Hudiara drain for agriculture. Samples collected along the drain showed that TE contamination, including Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn, increased from upstream to downstream sites. Concentrations of these elements in water, soil, fodder, and milk surpassed permissible limits, indicating a significant transferability risk up the food chain and high Hazard Index values for irrigation water, fodder, and milk.

Institut de Gestion des Techniques Urbaines, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi, MERIEM BENLAHRECHE, Saïd Mazouz, Département d’architecture, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi · Revue Roumaine de Géographie / Romanian Journal of Geography · Algeria

This article aims to explain urban phenomena in Hamma Bouziane, Algeria, a city known for its fertile land. The study indicates that the peri-urban agriculture of Hamma Bouziane is suffering negative repercussions due to unbridled urban expansion and socio-economic changes.

Moussa Coulibaly · International Journal for Advanced Studies and Research in Africa · Côte d'Ivoire (Korhogo)

This study in Logokaha, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, aimed to show the impact of urban agriculture on food production and the health of farmers. Despite contributing to the empowerment of farmers, urban agriculture exposes them to health hazards. The methodology involved documentary research and field surveys.

Yu. N. Katkov, N. A. Starostina, A. A. Romanova, М. К. Dzhikуa, I. O. Aidlin · Buhuchet v sel skom hozjajstve (Accounting in Agriculture) · Global

This article theoretically substantiates information and analytical support for city farm business plans, aiming to enhance food security by providing organic and eco-friendly agricultural products. It presents author's models for accounting and analytical systems and information support for city farm business plans. These models are intended to aid import substitution in agricultural products and contribute economically.

Pavlo Ardanov, Annette Piorr, Alexandra Doernberg, Sonja Brodt, Jennifer B. Lauruol, Iryna Kazakova, Valentyna Movchan, Lucas A. Garibaldi · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · Global

This study assessed information from multiple sources to design diversified cropping systems with vegetables and spice crops for cold temperate climates, integrating trait and observational data from databases, farmer surveys, and literature reviews. While farmers achieved medium to good levels of their main goals, they failed to reach desired multifunctionality with their polycultures. None of the individual data sources provided a comprehensive dataset, but combining them increased crop combination options while also increasing planning and management complexity.

Divyam Jindal · International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) · Global

This research introduces an AI-based model that uses satellite imaging, machine learning, and demographic projections to optimize urban agriculture. The model integrates soil analysis, water availability prediction, crop recommendations, and population growth projections for informed decision-making. It aims to optimize land use and balance urbanization, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Şener Tarla, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülcan TARLA · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This paper defines urban agriculture and discusses its benefits, including food production, resource contribution, and addressing economic, environmental, and social problems in cities. It notes that the global pandemic highlighted urban agriculture's importance for food safety, access, and ecosystem maintenance.

Ghassan Baliki, Dorothee Weiffen, Pepijn Schreinemachers, Akina Shrestha, Rachana Manandhar Shrestha, Monika Schreiner, Tilman Brück · Food and Nutrition Bulletin · Nepal

A cluster randomized controlled trial in rural Nepal (n=680 school children aged 9-13 across 30 schools) investigated whether an integrated school and home garden intervention improved hemoglobin levels and reduced anemia. The intervention did not lead to a direct significant reduction in anemia, as nutritional improvements were not strong enough to impact hemoglobin levels. However, the program indirectly improved hemoglobin levels for children under 12 by increasing good food and hygiene practices at home, particularly for girls, young children, and those with literate caregivers.

Nurdiana, Muhammad Hasan, Miranda, Muhammad Ihsan Said Ahmad, Citra Ayni Kamaruddin, Thamrin Tahir · International Journal of Social Science and Business · Global

This qualitative study analyzed the implementation of the 7P marketing mix for processed agricultural products by the Orchid Women Farmer Group, using observations, interviews, and FGDs with 4 informants. The 7P marketing mix was generally implemented, with supporting factors including self-confidence, cooperation, and encouragement from agricultural extension workers. Inhibiting factors were identified as lack of literacy and limited time, which affect the implementation process.

James Kwame Mensah · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Global

This study examined how the concepts of urban agriculture (UA), local economic development (LED), and climate change can be treated in unison. Based on a review of credible published papers on UA, LED, climate change, and nature-based solutions (NBS), a conceptual framework was developed to show their linkages. The paper established that UA could boost LED, build resilient urban settlements, and promote social inclusiveness, but it also comes with social challenges.

· International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements · Iraq (Baghdad)

This case study explored the potential of urban agriculture in the Al-Bastanah neighborhood of Al-Za'faraniya, Baghdad. It investigated how urban agriculture can be integrated into neighborhood planning processes.

Clara Godoy-Henderson, Ellen Hiestand, Emma Schluter, Erica Olsen, Jennifer Tacheny, Ambria Crusan, Mary O. Hearst · Journal of American College Health ·

This report describes a One Health approach addressing food insecurity among college students and Latine adult patients at a campus-based community health clinic. Organic community gardens on and near campus, pollinated by campus beehives, contribute local produce to a campus food shelf. This system aims to increase food security and nutritional health for both populations through multidisciplinary collaboration.

COULIBALY Moussa · International Journal of Advanced Research · Côte d'Ivoire (Korhogo)

This study in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, surveyed 81 farmers to assess the impact of urban agriculture on food production and farmer health. It found that urban agriculture, predominantly practiced by women (85.19%) with no formal education (71.61%), involves the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with non-adherence to application intervals. A significant portion of farmers (59.26%) discard chemical packaging in the environment. Despite contributing to empowerment, this practice exposes farmers to health problems including fatigue (53.09%), injuries (25.92%), skin burns (11.11%), dry coughs/colds (32.10%), and diarrheal diseases (19.75%).

Sadika Parvin, Md. Shahidul Islam · Khulna University Studies · Bangladesh

This descriptive quantitative study assessed the social acceptance of rooftop gardens among city dwellers in Bangladesh, surveying 475 participants online. While approximately three-quarters of respondents showed positive attitudes towards rooftop gardening, about one-third had negative attitudes, indicating unwillingness, with similar trends observed for behavioral perceptions. The study revealed that one-third of respondents still held negative attitudes and just over one-third had negative behavioral perceptions towards rooftop gardening.

· Middle East Journal of Applied Sciences · Egypt (Giza)

An experiment was conducted in a rooftop garden in Giza, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 to determine the most suitable substrate mixture for producing hot pepper in pots. Four mixtures—perlite:coco peat, sand:rice husk, sand:coco peat, and sand:coco peat:rice husk—were evaluated for growth and yield. The perlite:coco peat mixture recorded the highest values for plant height, leaf number, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, root fresh and dry weights, and yield per m². The sand:rice husk mixture showed close results, leading to both being considered suitable for pot-system hot pepper production.

Eva Rosdiana, Nurul Sjamsijah, Sri Rahayu, Dian Hartati · J-ABDI Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Global

This community engagement activity aimed to promote urban farming as a solution for urban food security and environmental issues. The method involved socializing the benefits and implementation of urban farming to community groups, followed by assisting them in creating a model urban farm. The activity targeted outcomes such as scientific publication and increased community adoption of technology.

Т.В. СТАРИКОВА, R. A. Skachkov, А.И. БЕНКЕЧ, С.П. ПРОКОПОВИЧ · Экономика и предпринимательство · Russia

This article discusses the concept of urban farming as a promising direction for improving food security in the Russian Federation. The authors analyze the current agricultural situation, identify existing food security problems, and propose urban farming as a potential solution.

María José Ludewig, Patricia Landaverde‐González, Klaus‐Peter Götz, Frank‐M. Chmielewski · Journal of Insect Conservation · Global

This study assessed bee visits to experimental blueberry and cherry orchards in an urban landscape to understand how air temperature affects the pollination contribution of honey bees and wild bees. Bumble bees and honey bees were the most important floral visitors, followed by Anthophora plumipes. Honey bees' potential contribution to pollination services decreased with air temperature changes, but this was offset by the niche complementarity of bumble bees.

Rachael Maysels, Apolinar Figueroa Casas, Juan Diego Otero Sarmiento, Shiomara Mileydi Zuñiga Meneses · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Colombia

This study analyzed the dynamics of the local food system in the Andean region of Cauca, Colombia, and explored how it can be conceptualized as an Alternative Food Network (AFN) within the Global South context. Transdisciplinary research, utilizing SWOT analysis during stakeholder workshops and reflexive thematic analysis, was conducted. Results showed the coexistence of both traditional and conventional food system dynamics; participants valued traditional food systems and agroecological production more, but economic insecurity and socio-political unrest hindered a robust transition from the conventional food system.

Ana María Bertolini, Patrícia Constante Jaime, Gabriela Marques Di Giulio · Saúde e Sociedade · Global

This article discusses the evolution of the concept of food and nutritional security (FNS) internationally, from post-World War II to the COVID-19 crisis, and the contributions of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to this agenda. Based on a critical literature review, the study notes that institutional responses to FNS often focus on crises and prioritize unsustainable globalized food systems. UPA practices have seen periods of rise and decline, evolving alongside the FNS agenda, and the article concludes by discussing the need to incorporate concepts of justice, global health, and a multidimensional view of sustainability into FNS and UPA discussions.

Pauline Marsh, Suzanne Mallick, Dave Kendal, Renae Riviere · · Australia (Hobart)

In Hobart, Australia, a conservation program for culturally and linguistically diverse adult migrants was implemented. This study used mixed methods to examine how a structured program of plant nursery and field-based community conservation activities helped overcome participants' sense of feeling "out of place." Positive impacts were found on indirect health and wellbeing factors such as work skills, language acquisition, and social connection, and participants' self-esteem, happiness, and social connection were also cultivated.