Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1545 results(56 / 62)
An investigation to the implementation of rainwater harvesting and filtration system in the new Student Union Building (SUB) at UBC
2012Shuyi Lu, Mostafa Oraei, Aaron Sangha, Kingson Wong · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada
This project outlines the components of a rainwater harvesting (RWH) system and five filtration methods, then analyzes two North American RWH projects. It concludes with a triple-bottom line analysis and recommendations for implementing an RWH system in the new Student Union Building (SUB) at the University of British Columbia, which aims for LEED Platinum Certification by 2014. The RWH system is intended to significantly lower water consumption by collecting, filtering, and storing rainwater for uses like irrigating a rooftop garden and flushing toilets.
Climate changeOrganic cycleLet’s Plan the School Garden: A Participatory Project on Sustainability in a Nursery School in Padua
2012Lorena Rocca, Giovanni Donadelli, Sonia Ziliotto · DergiPark (Istanbul University) · Italy (Padua)
The "Small steps of Agenda 21" project in the "J. Mirò" nursery school in Padua, Italy, engaged children in participatory planning for their school garden. Children actively improved the garden, fostering awareness of community discussion and participation. The project demonstrated that children improved their sense of inclusiveness and responsibility.
Food educationCommunityClimate change“三型城市”下都市农业生态安全分析与评价研究——以成都市为例
2012杜受祜, 金小琴 · 西南民族大学学报：人文社会科学版 · China (Chengdu)
This study analyzes and evaluates the ecological security of urban agriculture in Chengdu, China, from 2000 to 2011, using a constructed evaluation index system. Results show that urban agricultural ecological security in Chengdu fluctuated between 2000 and 2007, then improved after 2008 under urban agricultural development. Overall, the ecological security of urban agriculture in Chengdu is trending positively.
Climate changeOrganic cyclePolicyChapter 39 Designing multifunctional spatial systems through urban agriculture: the Casablanca case study
2012Christoph 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.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeChapter 35 Food, homes and gardens: public community gardens potential for contributing to a more sustainable city
2012Carolin Mees, Edie Stone · · United States (New York City)
In New York City, community gardens were established by resident groups in the 1970s, contributing to recreation, food security, and sustainable urban development. Their number has fluctuated over the past 30 years, with approximately 600 gardens existing today, over 300 of which are on public land. Recently, in response to climate change and economic crisis, elements like beehives and rainwater harvesting have been legalized and used to maximize food production and conserve water. This chapter will use qualitative data analysis, secondary literature discussion, and participant observation to evaluate the employment and function of these garden components and how the city's community gardens contribute to a sustainable city.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsClimate changeChapter 26 The impact of local food production on food miles, fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission: the case of the Dutch city of Almere
2012Jan-Eelco Jansma, W. Sukkel, E.S.C. Stilma, Alex C. van Oost, A.J. de Visser · · Netherlands (Almere)
This case study in the Dutch city of Almere calculated that 6,200 hectares of conventional farming land (or 8,100 hectares for organic production) are needed to produce approximately 20% of the daily food basket for 350,000 future citizens. Local production reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 27,000 tonnes/year, a relatively small reduction as most products are already produced in the Netherlands. The study emphasizes that other aspects, such as food basket composition, local food distribution system redesign, consumer behavior, and fossil energy use reduction, must be considered for reducing food miles, fossil energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Urban–rural linkageFood miles & supply chainClimate changeEconomicsThe Learning Gardens Laboratory: Teaching Sustainability and Developing Sustainable Food Systems Through Unique Partnerships
2012Heather Burns, Weston Miller · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States (Portland)
The Learning Gardens Laboratory (LGL) in Portland, Oregon, a partnership between Portland State University and Oregon State University, develops garden-based education programs to advance sustainable food systems and sustainability education. LGL's pedagogical principles, drawn from permaculture and ecological design, include interdisciplinary and place-based learning. The paper discusses these principles in relation to LGL's educational programs, highlighting the Beginning Urban Farming Apprenticeship and Lane Middle School Garden-Based Education programs.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeReturning to the Roots: Urban Farming and Environmentalism in Detroit
2012Kevin Wonch · Hope College Digital Commons (Hope College) · United States (Detroit)
This study examines urban farming in Detroit, a city experiencing rapid decline with a population under a million, limited access to fresh food stores, and extensive vacant land. While arguing for modern urban farming as a foundation for sustainable practices and positive development, it notes that some political and business analysts question its ability to make a significant impact on the city’s future.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeCommunityResearch on three small-scale agricultural ecological-economic systems in Shenzhen City based on emergy analysis
2012杨卓翔 YANG Zhuoxiang, 高阳 GAO Yang, Zhao Zhi, 李双成 LI Shuangcheng · Acta Ecologica Sinica · China (Shenzhen)
An emergy analysis compared the emergy input structure, production efficiency, environmental load, and sustainability of three farms (Biling Modern Agricultural Technology Park, Xili Orchard, and Shanhai Farm) in Shenzhen, China. Xili Orchard showed a high reliance on renewable resources, the lowest environmental load ratio, and the highest emergy indices for sustainable development. Shanhai Farm had a low reliance on renewable resources, the highest environmental load ratio, and was assessed as having the lowest sustainable development capacity.
EconomicsClimate changeOrganic cycleDigital agriculture2012 LAND GRANT AND SEA GRANT NATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE Portland, OR Poster Abstract Stormwater management education and best management practice (BMP) implementation in the City of Newark
2012Jillian Thompson, Christopher C. Obropta · · United States (Newark)
In 2009, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, implemented stormwater management education and best management practices (BMPs) in Newark, New Jersey. The initiative aimed to reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges. Through this effort, a formerly vacant lot was transformed into a community garden featuring a 1,550-gallon cistern and a rain garden, with educational training provided to ex-offenders and sixth-grade students.
CommunityClimate changeOrganic cycleLa agricultura urbana como estrategia para la sostenibilidad en la ciudad contemporánea
2012Raúl 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.
Food sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleCommunityClimate changePolicyAnnual change and temporal change of fertilizer component in rooftop garden thin substratum light soil
2012Takanori Kuronuma, Saori Hashimoto, Ryuta CHIMURA, Haruaki YOKOKAWA, Kazunori Sakamoto, Hitoshi Watanabe · Journal of the Japanese Society of Revegetation Technology · Japan
This study investigated the annual changes in lightweight soil in a thin substratum rooftop garden planted with Zoysia grass. No annual changes were observed in grass growth or soil physical properties. Soil organic matter tended to increase after construction, and nutrient salt content was comparable to golf course green soil diagnostic standards. However, nutrient salt levels in unused lightweight soil were significantly higher than after construction and decreased annually. No difference in nutrient salt content was confirmed with or without additional fertilization, suggesting the need for fertilization management tailored to the unique rooftop environment.
Organic cycleBiodiversityClimate changeResearch on the Multifunction of Urban Agriculture under the Goal of Building Resilient City
2012Guo Hua, Guozhu Ren · JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING STUDIES · Global
This paper attempts to define the role of urban agriculture in building resilient cities. It also analyzes how urban agriculture can make cities more resilient to potential crises in emergencies or sudden events, as well as under normal circumstances, such as climate change and oil peak.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageCPUL: Continuous Productive Urban Landscape; New Approach to integrating agriculture and urban
2012Katrin 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.
Urban–rural linkageClimate changeFood sovereignty & justicePolicyThe 2009 Late Blight Pandemic in the Eastern United States – Causes and Results
2012William E. Fry, M. T. McGrath, Abby Seaman, Thomas A. Zitter, A. McLeod, Giovanna Danies, Ian M. Small, Kevin Myers, Kathryne L. Everts, Amanda J. Gevens, Beth K. Gugino, Sara B. Johnson, Howard S. Judelson, Jean B. Ristaino, Pamela Roberts, Gary A. Secor, K. W. Seebold, K. Snover-Clift, A. Wyenandt, Niklaus J. Grünwald, Christine D. Smart · Plant Disease · United States
The 2009 tomato late blight pandemic in the eastern United States resulted in significant crop losses for many home gardeners and organic producers. This event led to widespread questions regarding its causes and differences from previous epidemics.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiFood lossClimate changeSituation and Sustainable Development of Modern Urban Agriculture in Guangzhou
2012Yan Zeng · Nongye xiandaihua yanjiu · China
Guangzhou's urbanization necessitates modern urban agriculture, which has evolved from suburban agriculture to a modern form characterized by intensification, marketization, industrialization, high technology, and mechanization. While modern urban agriculture in Guangzhou possesses internal advantages and faces significant opportunities, its development is constrained by internal weaknesses and external threats. To advance sustainable development, improvements are needed in layout, ecological environment protection, agricultural standardization, optimization of agricultural industry structure, agricultural brand and logistics system construction, and investment and financing mechanisms.
EconomicsPolicyClimate changeAfter the Storms: South Louisiana Sustainable Food System Assessment in light of Environmental Natural Disasters Hurricanes Katrina & Rita
2012Toni Y. Sims-Muhammad · · United States (South Louisiana)
This project examined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on existing food systems in Lafayette, Acadia, Evangeline, St Martin, and St Landry parishes, with a focus on home and community gardens. The researcher interviewed 57 home/community gardeners and farmers and conducted a survey on pre- and post-Katrina/Rita food sustainability problems, challenges, and perspectives on future food systems.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEvaluation of Life Cycle Carbon Dioxide Emissions through Sustainable Lifestyles Related to Food Production and Consumption: Case Study of Osaka
2012Yugo YAMAMOTO, Asami ORITA, Motoyuki NAGAI · Studies in Regional Science · Japan (Osaka)
A questionnaire survey was conducted among LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) and general consumers in Osaka Prefecture to identify sustainable lifestyles related to food production and consumption and evaluate their effect on CO2 emissions. LOHAS consumers tended to participate in local food production activities and make purchasing decisions based on health and environmental consciousness. Their total daily life CO2 emissions were 15% lower than regular consumers, but their transportation-related CO2 emissions were higher due to roundtrips to local farm shops.
CommunityClimate changeDIYAn investigation into new SUB rooftop garden irrigations systems
2012Seungmin Lee, Alexandra Nan, Meredith Kealty, Kevin Pan · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada
This report assesses irrigation systems for a new rooftop garden at the Student Union Building (SUB) in Vancouver, Canada, which aims for LEED Platinum+ certification. Micro-irrigation is recommended due to limited space, the need for high water efficiency, and a low carbon footprint. Micro-irrigation systems apply water directly to plants, reducing evaporation and energy costs, with an observed 80% improvement in water efficiency compared to conventional practices.
DIYClimate changeEdible Landscaping and Xeriscaping
2012Avi Friedman · Island Press/Center for Resource Economics eBooks · Global
This chapter discusses the problems of conventional landscaping, which requires excessive water, maintenance, and chemicals, leading to resource depletion and pollution. Alternative practices such as edible landscaping and xeriscaping are gaining traction in residences, as they can significantly reduce adverse environmental effects while maintaining aesthetic value. The principles and applications of these methods are discussed in this chapter.
DIYClimate changeOrganic cycleRethinking the Role of Community Gardening in Localizing Post-Oil Suburbia: A Proposal for Willowdale Community Garden in Cherry Hill, NJ
2012Andrew Schlesinger · ScholarWorks -A service of University of Vermont Libraries (University of Vermont) · United States (Cherry Hill)
This paper highlights the high dependency of U.S. suburban communities on fossil fuels, particularly oil. It states that while global oil supply is projected to decline, few suburban communities are currently planning for "life after oil." Presented as a proposal for the Willowdale Community Garden, the abstract does not state specific research or its findings, nor an analysis of how community gardening addresses this challenge.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCultivar la resiliencia: los aportes de la agricultura urbana a las ciudades en transición
2012José Luis Fernández de Casadevante, Nerea Morán Alonso · · Global
This article reviews the uses of the term resilience in the urban domain and examines methods for applying sustainability to urban environments. It focuses on the role of urban and peri-urban agriculture, arguing that their scope extends beyond mere food production. These practices generate spaces for developing alternative city models, fostering conviviality, and illustrating an alternative to the current agri-food system.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityClimate changeMore or less: Food for thought
2012· · 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.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkagePolicyEmerging Community Food Production And Pathways For Urban Landscape Transitions
2012Sarah Bell, Cristina Cerulli · UCL Discovery (University College London) · United Kingdom (London)
A case study of a newly established community garden in London was analyzed. The study used the multi-level perspective on transitions to sustainable development by Grin et al. (2010) and modeling of cities as complex systems by Wilson (2010a) and Batty (2005) to analyze the potential for emerging community gardens to contribute to transitions to sustainable urban food systems. Urban agriculture is considered a core element for the future of sustainable cities.
CommunityClimate changePolicyUrban–rural linkageCluster Development of Zhengzhou Urban Agriculture Based on Diamond Model
2012Wu, De-Hui, Wu, De-Hui · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · China (Zhengzhou)
This paper analyzes the competitive power of Zhengzhou urban agriculture from the perspectives of production factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, business strategies and structure, and horizontal competition, based on the basic theory of the Diamond Model. It introduces cluster development as an effective approach to enhancing the competitive power of Zhengzhou urban agriculture. Finally, it presents countermeasures and suggestions such as optimizing spatial distribution for cluster development, cultivating leading enterprises, optimizing organizational forms, and actively developing low-carbon agriculture.
EconomicsPolicyClimate change