Research & reports

Jamie Wang · Humanities · Singapore

This article explores the rise of urban farming in Singapore, following small- to medium-scale urban farms, including rooftop gardens, community farms, and organic farms, through the politics of localism and the notion of care. It investigates how localism, in some contexts, has been reduced to a narrow sense of geographic location. The study also examines what is being cared for in urban farming and how it might transform bio-cultural and social-technological relations.

Julissa Basurto-Bajaña, Victoria Rendón-Ledesma, Oscar Caicedo-Camposano, Georgina Jácome-Lara · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Ecuador

This study aimed to characterize peri-urban agricultural production systems in the Febres Cordero parish. It notes that food insecurity is not uniform across Ecuador, with rural Sierra regions showing higher concentrations of households lacking access to basic food baskets and a higher prevalence of chronic malnutrition. A multicriteria analysis was used to group surveyed families, illustrating their situation in the study area.

María Moreno Jaimes · Revista EDUCARE - UPEL-IPB - Segunda Nueva Etapa 2 0 · Venezuela

This qualitative action research study in Capachalito, Tovar Municipality, Aragua State, Venezuela, developed an action plan to improve residents' quality of life by encouraging parents, students, and teachers to resume school garden practices within the School Feeding Program. The study, based on a Socio-Critical Paradigm and Participatory Action Research, aimed to support food sovereignty and security. It highlighted the importance of endogenous development and sustainable community agriculture for reviving traditional knowledge related to family and school gardens.

Adhitya Rahmat Taufiq, Deden Mulyana, Mohammad Soleh Soeaidy, Allicia Deana Santosa · ETHOS (Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian) · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya)

This community service program in Gunung Tandala Village, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia, aimed to provide knowledge and training on alternative resources for food independence to embroidery industry workers who lost jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The training included simple urban farming and catfish cultivation in buckets, offering basic knowledge and practical examples. The activity successfully increased participants' literacy regarding food independence stability and their understanding of potential market opportunities.

Anne Kersten · transcript Verlag eBooks · Global

This paper describes the works "Neighbourhood Fruit Forages," "Fruitmaps" (both since 2004), and "Double Standard" (2008) by Fallen Fruit, which relate to urban agriculture, activism, and community. These works were published in "Kunst und Landwirtschaft" on page 143.

Kusuma Wardhani Mas’udah, Zainal Abidin Achmad, Ita Sabilah Putri Chayani, Niken Nathania, Rahadyan Naufal A, Yusuf Fadhilah, Bayu Frastra Wiranegara · Abdi-mesin Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Teknik Mesin · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In Dupak village, Krembangan district, Surabaya, Indonesia, due to limited land, KKN Group 38 of UPN "Veteran" East Java University conducted outreach and assistance on Budikdamber development. This initiative aimed to meet household food needs and support the local economy through the marketing of urban farming produce. The program provided knowledge to the community, contributed to nutritional satisfaction to prevent stunting, and enhanced skills for household food self-sufficiency by utilizing narrow home yards for growing vegetables and fish in buckets.

Sònia Callau-Berenguer, Anna Roca-Torrent, Josep Montasell-Dorda, Sandra Ricart · Investigaciones Geográficas · Spain (Barcelona)

This study analyzed the food system behavior in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region, Spain, during the initial stage of the Covid-19 pandemic (March-May 2020). Semi-structured interviews with 11 peri-urban entities and institutions revealed shortcomings in the operation and logistics of the metropolitan food system. Findings also indicated complicity between local producers and urban consumers, the role of peri-urban agricultural areas in food supply, and a need for cooperation among food system agents.

Jennifer Marcela López Ríos Admon, Cristina María Mejía Merino, Carmen Estefanía Frías Epinayú · Revista Espanola De Nutricion Comunitaria-spanish Journal of Community Nutrition · Colombia

This Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) aimed to publicize and evaluate food security microprojects created with three Wayuu indigenous communities in La Guajira, Colombia, involving 46 families (204 people). Strategies included creating community gardens as a sustainable alternative for autonomy and ancestral practice rescue, intercultural nutritional education, and community strengthening based on life plans.

Deni Nasir Ahmad, Luluk Setyowati · Jurnal Pengabdian Magister Pendidikan IPA · Indonesia

This community service activity in Indonesia introduced urban farming to students via Zoom meetings as a solution for food security and economic value during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program involved assessing partner needs, presenting urban farming concepts, and evaluating participant feedback. Participants responded positively, asking many questions and finding the information relevant to their needs, with some even developing new ideas for agricultural technology products.

Leandro Pessoa Lucena, Fernanda Mariano Massuia · urbe Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana · Singapore

This post-doctoral research investigated the evolution and impacts of urban agriculture models in Singapore as public policy for sustainability, food security, and ecological economy. The study used bibliographic investigations and field research at high-tech soilless urban farms to estimate CO₂ emission reductions from modern urban agriculture. Results showed Singapore intensively uses urban agriculture, including vertical, indoor, and rooftop farms, all demonstrating technological innovations, high productivity, organic certification, and contributions to CO₂ emission reduction.

Stephanie C. Boddie · Social Work & Christianity · United States

In Fall 2018, a social work professor in the United States designed a course for graduate students across social work, education, and seminary schools, based on permaculture design principles. Students addressed community challenges like food insecurity and K-12 student disengagement by supporting a local school garden. This pedagogy aimed to foster holistic and relevant learning experiences.

Aleksandra Nowysz · Buildings · Global

This paper addresses the issue of food systems in urban development, describing residential area ideas that integrate cities with food production, particularly agrarian cooperatives. Historical projects aimed for self-sufficiency and sustainability, while contemporary projects demonstrate that urban agriculture performs key functions in residential architecture. Production in urban agriculture extends beyond private goods for market or own use.

Zakiyah Amini, R. Eviyati, Dina Dwirayani · Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Pertanian UNS · Indonesia (Cirebon)

A community service team from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati (UGJ) Cirebon, Indonesia, provided guidance to women in the Bumi Arum Sari housing complex on microgreen cultivation techniques. This activity aimed to educate residents during the COVID-19 pandemic to engage in positive gardening activities at home and enhance family food security. Microgreens are easy to cultivate, require minimal space, and provide healthy vegetables for families.

Marian Simón Rojo · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Spain (Madrid)

This study investigated how urban planning can support agroecological and right-to-food movements to create resilient urban food systems, addressing food insecurity. A case study in Madrid, Spain, found that over 14% of the population was food insecure, despite the presence of more than 400 free food distribution nodes. The analysis covered various programs and urban food initiatives, suggesting that urban planning provides tools to apply community-supported agroecological food system qualities to define context-adapted strategies, thereby reducing reliance on the industrial food sector.

Fenny Puspitaningrum, Desy Safitri, Nurul Istiqomah · Edukasi IPS · Indonesia

This qualitative study in Indonesia investigated why ROSAI members in Alam Indah studio housing, Depok, chose urban farming for food independence. Findings indicated ecological factors (suitable soil/water), economic factors (reducing expenditure while maintaining nutrition), and social factors (healthy living, neighborly harmony) as reasons. Their urban farming activities included organic farming, an organic market for excess crops, and farming training.

Nathan McClintock · Policy Press eBooks · Canada (Montreal)

In Montreal's Mile-Ex neighborhood, Canada, urban agriculture initiatives are transforming vacant lots into green spaces. Participants planted basil and threw "seed bombs" in a vacant lot as part of an effort to "reclaim the city." The practice of greening vacant lots is common in North American cities, and the relationship between vacancy and urban agriculture is historical, with city dwellers traditionally gardening in "wastelands."

André Ruoppolo Biazoti, Vitória Oliveira Pereira de Souza Leão, Rafael Junqueira Buralli, Thaís Mauad · Estudos Avançados · Brazil (São Paulo)

Agricultural production and distribution in São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated using official databases and seven semi-structured interviews with farmers conducted between 2018 and 2020. The findings indicate growth in agricultural practices and access to a wide variety of commercialization channels within the municipality. The opening of new markets, the development of public policies, and public recognition were essential for this growth.

Susana Toboso‐Chavero, Gara Villalba, Xavier Gabarrell, Cristina Madrid‐López · Journal of Industrial Ecology · Global

This study developed an integrated framework for designing sustainable roof mosaic scenarios, combining urban farming, solar energy, and rainwater harvesting on unused rooftops of housing estates. Applied to a 66,433 m² rooftop area, the framework involved multi-scale and multi-dimensional analysis. Five participatory-designed rooftop scenarios were found to improve residents' resource self-sufficiency, providing 42–53% of vegetable consumption, 9–35% of electricity, and 38–200% of water needs, depending on the scenario.

Ammar Abdurrohman, Fikri Fadly Arkasala, Noviamas Nurhidayah · Desa-Kota · Indonesia

This study explores the application of a resilient city concept, specifically urban farming, for food security in Surakarta City, Indonesia, especially during a pandemic. It proposes that urban agriculture, including home and community farming using methods like soilless cultivation and vertical culture, can achieve food self-sufficiency despite limited land. Based on a literature review and an ecological urban development approach, the research identifies potential food crops like porang, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, and various vegetables that are easy for residents to cultivate.

Rieska Maharani, Zainal Rusdi, Lynda Yunyver, Reza Mega Novalia, Adiva Salsabila · Jurnal Abdidas · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This activity was conducted in RT 07 RW 03, Kendangsari District, Tenggilis Mejoyo Village, Surabaya City, to enhance food security and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. A student team from Muhammadiyah Surabaya University's Accounting Study Program, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture's Holistic Village Development and Empowerment Program, provided hydroponic instruction, introduction, practical training, and guidance on selling and diversifying hydroponic products. The program indirectly fostered local food security and resilience and generated new income for residents affected by the pandemic.

Martha Biddle, JungHee Kang, Julie C. Derringer, Anna M. Rose, D. Brewer, Misook L. Chung, Terry A. Lennie, Gia Mudd‐Martin, Timothy A. Woods · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (Kentucky)

A study examined the relationships among food security status, eating patterns, and perceived barriers to food choices among 209 shareholders in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Kentucky during COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions. The food insecure group (n=33) reported lower consumption of fruits/vegetables and whole grains, greater consumption of fast foods, and more barriers to food choices compared to the food secure group. A low food insecure proportion (16%) among CSA participants suggests a potential role for CSA programs in preventing food insecurity.

Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, Anne C. Bellows, Rick Welsh, Mary Kiernan · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

This article is a remembrance of Evan Weissman, a food studies scholar and urban geographer who passed away in spring 2020. His academic contributions focused on local food policy, community food systems, food system inequality, and urban agriculture. This special issue reflects his work and enduring impact on food justice and sustainable agricultural and regional planning.

Sofia Nikolaidou · Cahiers de la Méditerranée · Greece (Athens)

This article analyzed the role of peri-urban agriculture and alternative food networks (AFN) in the Athens metropolitan area, Greece, using a mixed method approach including qualitative, quantitative research, and spatial data collection. Bottom-up claims for food security positively impacted sustainable food systems and public policies, while informal retail channels and self-production schemes strengthened agricultural resilience. However, poor land management and zoning control are major constraints to sustainable agricultural production and farmers' resilience in the Athens metropolitan area.

Margaret Robertson · · Global

Chapter 13 examines how food is grown, from smallholders and pastoralists to small farmers and industrialized agriculture, addressing issues of ecosystem health, human health, food waste, and the impact of meat diets. It also discusses the importance of pollinators. The chapter then explores finding space for food in cities, including in schools, yards, urban farms, community gardens, and on public lands.

T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss · Public · Global

T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss has dedicated her life to Indigenous plant remediation and restoration projects supporting wetland ecosystems, food forests, and their wild inhabitants. This work aims to restore what was taken from the natural world over the past 150 years, ensuring the survival of future ancestors. Interdisciplinary documentation, including true plant names in Indigenous languages, ensures future generations remain connected to the natural world.