Research & reports

Deborah Carter · · Global

This chapter explores community-led gardens as transformative, innovative literacy learning environments for refugee learners and their families. It reviews literature on refugees' utilization of community-led gardening, highlighting concepts of cultural reflection and inspiration, cultural cohesion and sense of belonging, and adaptation and resilience. The author shares experiences creating a community-led garden for refugees and describes language literacy pedagogical activities that utilize a community garden for learner-centered, experiential learning and communicative language teaching.

Yichen Jiang, He Fang, Shihui Li, Hang Lu, Rouran Zhang · Land · Global

This paper compares urban agriculture (UA) patterns in Europe and China using bibliometric analysis of Web of Science and 2230 CNKI publications, alongside field research on nine European practices and UA development in Hangzhou, China. The study recommends that China consider European approaches for realizing social and cultural benefits in future UA practices. It also suggests integrating UA projects into urban green space planning and rationalizing construction types.

Adriana de Paula Cavalcante Fraga, Ana Moraes Coelho, Jéssica Castro Chryssafidis, José Geraldo Barreto Monteiro de Andrade, Maíra Bombachini Silva, Maria Luiza Sevilha Seraphico de Assis Carvalho, Mariana Nicolletti, Nathan Debortoli, Samuel Santos de Souza Pinto · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Manaus)

A case study of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Manaus, Brazil, aimed to identify and characterize the benefits these agricultural initiatives provide to the territory. Using a hybrid methodology that combined biophysical modeling with listening to the voices of experienced protagonists, the study identified the significant potential of urban and peri-urban agriculture to contribute to city development. This research revealed the potential for urban agriculture to mitigate or solve typical urban problems.

Olivia M. Erskine, Alexa J. Lamm, Catherine E. Sanders, Kevan W. Lamm · Horticulturae · United States

This study investigated community garden coordinators' perceptions of the need for climate change adaptation, its attributes, and their position in the innovation-decision process in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, United States. Participants valued relative advantage and low complexity when adopting and implementing climate-smart practices. Community gardens were found to be implementing some form of climate-smart adaptations, even if not for climate-related reasons, but the largest barrier to adopting new practices was a lack of extra money.

Sung–Ho Kil, Hye‐Mi Park, T. Kim · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea (Seoul)

This study estimated the willingness to pay (WTP) and civic awareness for rooftop greenhouses (RGs) among residents of Seoul, South Korea, using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The per capita WTP for RGs among Seoul residents was 30,260 KRW, valuing RGs in Seoul at approximately 220 billion KRW. Most respondents preferred a combination of crop production and experiences, and suggested that customized education on building and managing rooftop greenhouses was the most necessary measure to promote RGs.

Natalia Gerodetti · Emotions and Society · South Korea (Seoul)

This article examines contemporary urban food cultivation practices in Seoul, South Korea, as a form of cultural heritage making through familial activities. It explores how widespread urban food growing connects to family and heritage, arguing that these practices are part of a Korean sensibility towards food and its cultivation. The article posits that growing edible plants in urban settings is a "doing family" activity, linking generations, evoking nostalgia, and transmitting values within the context of "compressed modernity."

Adrian J Hayes, Tulane Chiarletti, Stephanie Hares, Sarah Devereux, Stephanie Upton, Daniel McNamara, Sally Brookes · Therapeutic Communities The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities · United Kingdom (South West of England)

This paper reports on the development and running of Foundations Group, a pilot 2-hour nano-therapeutic community (TC) intervention. Conducted within the NHS on City Farm premises in the South West of England for 18 months (2021–2022), the group comprised 11 members, one peer, and three staff. The authors reflected on the TC approach of democratic work, non-expert stance, and using support and challenge to enhance self-agency and belongingness, detailing the group's structure.

Monika Egerer, Susan Karlebowski, David Schoo, Ulrike Sturm · Urban forestry & urban greening · Germany

This communication article presents a transdisciplinary research concept focused on developing, implementing, and testing biodiversity conservation interventions in urban community gardens in Berlin and Munich, Germany. The research aims to promote insect diversity with gardeners and neighborhood residents, engaging civil society and city actors to support biodiversity-based urban greening. It outlines participatory methods and experiences in translating research into practice, highlighting the role of city residents in implementing biodiversity interventions.

Eniandari janabadra.ac.id Eni Andari, Muhammad Najmudin, Titi Laras · ADARMA Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Janabadra · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study describes a community empowerment program for PKK mothers in RT 36 RW 15, Sorosutan Village, Umbulharjo District, Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. The program utilized urban farming through counseling and training to manage and utilize the home environment. The counseling and training are expected to motivate and educate the mothers to practice organic farming.

Sri Oetami Madyowati, Achmad Kusyairi, Sumaryam, Muhajir Muhajir, Indra Wirawan, Didik Trisbiantoro, Kejora Handarini, Retnani Rahmiati · indonesian journal of fisheries community empowerment · Indonesia (Surabaya)

This counseling and training activity in Bendul Merisi Village Hall, Wonocolo District, Surabaya, Indonesia, aimed to utilize backyards for Dumbo catfish cultivation in Kopral Bumilis (minimalist round tarpaulin ponds) using a biofloc system. Farmer groups were enthusiastic, particularly regarding high fingerling mortality. Solutions to reduce mortality included preparing biofloc pond water, using 7-9 cm fingerlings, and daily feed control, though open public backyards posed a constraint due to children fishing.

Rositayanti Hadisoebroto, Sheilla Megagupita Putri Marendra, Olivia Seanders, Ahmad Rheza, Kendrick Kevin Kabe, Salsabila Azzahra Anjani Indradini · JUARA Jurnal Wahana Abdimas Sejahtera · Indonesia (Jakarta)

In Angke Village, West Jakarta, chicken slaughterhouse wastewater had BOD, COD, and TSS levels exceeding environmental standards. A community service program by Universitas Trisakti aimed to manage this wastewater and empower PKK mothers. The program included training on urban farming using treated wastewater as fertilizer, making biocoagulants from moringa seeds, and using a stirred reactor with biocoagulants to treat wastewater. The stirred reactor, using 100 mL of moringa seed biocoagulant, reduced BOD to 0.34 mg/L and TSS to 0.557 mg/L, but COD remained above the standard at 640 mg/L. The resulting sludge, with COD 320 mg/L and turbidity 475 NTU, can be used as fertilizer for vegetables and ornamental plants.

Kamal Prasad Acharya, Kalpana Gyawali, Indra Raj Upadhyaya · Interdisciplinary Research in Education · Nepal

This article explores the contribution of garden-based activities to developing 21st-century skills in public schools in Nepal. Using participatory action research in three intervention schools, the study found that school gardening, involving flower and vegetable cultivation, enhances critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Students also viewed gardening as a valuable learning platform that encourages creative thinking, environmental sustainability, and lifelong learning competence.

Ni Wayan Purnami Rusadi, I Gde Pitana, I Nyoman Sunarta, I Nyoman Sukma Arida · Jurnal Kajian Bali (Journal of Bali Studies) · Indonesia (Bali)

This qualitative study explored farmer perspectives on urban agriculture tourism within Bali's Subak Lestari program. Assessing 23 Subak Lestari management farmers on technical, socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects, the research found that farmers expressed confidence in Subak Lestari's potential to catalyze tourism-centric urban agriculture development and strongly supported its role in reshaping urban agriculture.

Clara Camargo · Revista Latino-americana de Geografia e Genero · Brazil (São Paulo)

This study investigates the socioeconomic profile and agroecological production strategies of female urban farmers in São Paulo's peripheral territories, using Feminist Economy Theory and Ecofeminism perspectives. It highlights that while these women are crucial for food security and green spaces, they remain largely invisible in economic theories and have limited access to public policies due to their non-generation of direct monetary income. The methodology included participant observation in RAPPA meetings, semi-structured interviews, and guided tours of women-led production units.

Laura S. Tuominen, Heikki Helanterä, Patrik Karell, Lauri Rapeli, Timo Vuorisalo, Jon E. Brommer · npj Urban Sustainability · Finland (Turku)

This before-after study in Turku, Finland, examined the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban box gardening from 2019 to 2021. While box gardening's importance for resilience increased and gardeners remained motivated, participants reported receiving fewer benefits from gardening during the pandemic. This suggests a negative influence of the pandemic on well-being, extending to urban gardening outcomes.

Ery Suhartanto, Mohammad Bisri, Ussy Andawayanti, Suwanto Marsudi, Evi Nur Cahya · TEKAD Teknik Mengabdi · Indonesia (Malang)

A 6-month "River Flow Conservation" activity was implemented in RW-01, Kasin Village, Klojen District, Malang City, Indonesia, to mitigate flood impact. Activities included river dredging, greening (urban farming), and establishing fish cages. This initiative resulted in RW-01 becoming a green, comfortable, and sustainable area, positively impacting flood reduction, environmental quality improvement, and water resource utilization.

Beata Sirowy, Deni Ruggeri · ˜The œGeojournal library · Global

This chapter reflects on urban agriculture practices in public spaces, emphasizing their unique role in the individual and communal well-being of city dwellers. It concludes with a brief reflection on the future trajectories for urban agriculture practices in compact cities.

Pierric Calenge, Maie Gérardot · Métropolitiques · United States (Cleveland)

The work by Max Rousseau and Vincent Béal illuminates the ambiguities of a policy that organizes urban decline and racial segregation in Cleveland. This policy promotes urban degrowth and racial segregation, balancing algorithmic management and urban greening. The study focuses on the Rust Belt region, which experiences de-urbanization marked by the subprime crisis, racism, and segregation.

N Fernández Salido, A Gallego Valadés, C Castells, Jordi Garcés Ferrer · European Journal of Public Health · Europe

The European U-GARDEN project evaluated the impact of urban gardens on promoting active aging through the participation of people over 65. Qualitative analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews revealed multiple benefits, including increased physical activity, psychosocial improvements such as higher personal satisfaction, reduced stress, enhanced self-esteem, and strengthened community connections. Participants also reported economic savings on food costs and increased food security.

Samina Raja · Urban agriculture · United States

Urban agriculture initiatives in US cities face complications, including information asymmetry and elite capture, which limit their potential for equitable development. This chapter introduces a volume exploring the opportunities and quandaries in addressing questions of equity in the research, pedagogy, and practice of planning for urban agriculture.

Daniele Codato, Denis Grego, Francesca Peroni · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Italy (Padua)

This study in Padua, Italy, used field surveys of key informants and spatial multicriteria decision-making analysis to identify suitable and inclusive areas for community gardens. The results prioritized neighborhoods for new community gardens based on distance, social, and combined indices, providing a methodology to support local policymakers in implementing community gardens.

Lindsay K. Campbell, Chris Fremantle, David Maddox, Erika S. Svendsen, Sarah Hines, Mary Mattingly, Matthew López-Jensen, Nikki Lindt, Liza Paqueo, Michelle Johnson · Landscape Research · United States (New York City)

This paper explores four case studies from the Urban Field Station Collaborative Arts Program (UFS Arts) in New York City, United States, from 2016 to the present. It examines how artists collaborating with scientists and land managers foster new relationships with urban nature and inform landscape decisions. The examples include projects using image, sound, a floating food forest, and an exhibition mapping civic environmental practices, demonstrating how transdisciplinary approaches can transform management practices and landscape decisions.

‪I Gusti Ayu Diah Yuniti, Nanang Sasmita, Jhon Hardy Purba, Liris Lis Komara · Journal of Applied Agricultural Science and Technology · Indonesia

This study evaluated the land suitability for Wani fruit (Mangifera caesia) plants on the slopes of Mount Batur, Kintamani, Bali. Using composite sampling and descriptive and comparative analysis, the results showed three land suitability classes: moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and not suitable, with slope, texture, temperature, effective depth, and rainfall identified as main limiting factors. Zones I, II, and III of the Kintamani area, covering 21,476 hectares, were found suitable for the development of Wani fruit for horticultural and conservation purposes.

Muslikhun Muslikhun, Rismawati Br Sitepu, Amjad Hameed · JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES SOCIAL SCIENCES AND BUSINESS (JHSSB) · Global

This qualitative study aimed to emphasize the rise of urban farming as a new cultural phenomenon and shed light on its increasing popularity and impact on individuals and communities. Urban farming has emerged as a solution in numerous cities worldwide due to the decline in traditional agricultural land. The study's findings demonstrate that promoting urban farming, including hydroponic systems, can address unemployment and boost economic productivity.

Wiwit Estuti, Uun Kunaepah, Isnar Nurul Alfiyah · Jurnal Abdisci · Indonesia (Cirebon Regency)

This community service activity at SMAN 1 Beber in Cirebon Regency, Indonesia, aimed to accelerate and innovate food products made from local ingredients in school gardens. Building on 2022 education, the 2023 initiative focused on developing and packaging products made by school residents, with the goal of commercializing them under a special SMAN 1 Beber label.