Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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The Local Food System and Its Potential for Empowering Black Farmers and Growers
2026Mya O. Price · · United States
This chapter examines how local food systems can empower Black farmers and growers through direct-to-consumer and community-based markets, analyzing tools like farmers’ markets and urban agriculture. While case examples show Black-led initiatives, persistent barriers include limited capital, discriminatory pricing and lending, bureaucratic gaps, and uneven USDA support despite civil rights settlements. The study details these challenges.
Equity & displacementCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyDesigning Integrated Urban Agriculture Systems for Spatial Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability in Dense Urban Neighborhoods
2026Endah Tisnawati, Nabila Aufelisa · International Journal Of Science Technology & Management · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
This study reframes community-based urban agriculture as an integrated socio-spatial and environmental infrastructure in dense urban areas, using a case study in Kemantren Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data from field mapping and spatial analysis identified 22 urban agriculture sites, with a density of approximately 0.055 sites/ha, in an area with only 14.5% green open space. Findings indicate that urban agriculture functions as a micro-scale environmental infrastructure by integrating spatial efficiency, production systems, environmental functions, and community-based operational mechanisms, achieving environmental performance through the functional intensification of fragmented spaces.
CommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changePolicy“Regain the park from the Bad People”. Symbolic boundaries and urban exclusion in Ecatepec
2026Miguel Ángel Monteverde-Ávalos · Alteridades · Mexico (Ecatepec)
An ethnography of a dispute over a small community garden in a working-class neighborhood in Ecatepec, Mexico, revealed that internal socialization processes establish thresholds of respectability, leading to classifications that reproduce differential access to public space. The study found that these classifications result in the unequal distribution of spatial resources and contribute to the reproduction of an exclusionary urban order.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyHealthA scoping review of temperate food forestry research: key themes, methodological considerations and research priorities
2026Anna M. Roodhof, Lieke Moereels, Isabelle van der Zanden, Giulia Bongiorno, Alejandra Hernández Guzmán, Jeroen Kruit, Madelon Lohbeck, Sietze J. Norder, Suzy Rebisz, Bastiaan Rooduijn, Jordy van Eijk, Heitor Mancini Teixeira · Agroforestry Systems · Global
This scoping review aims to facilitate future food forestry research by organizing existing empirical research and research agendas on food forestry in temperate regions. The study integrated fragmented literature, primarily due to inconsistent terminology, around nine key research themes. Overall, three clusters of research gaps were identified, centering on questions pertaining to food production, multifunctionality, and knowledge legitimization processes in food forests.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityOrganic cycleWhen Business as Usual Fails: The Case of Urban Agriculture in Detroit
2026Jocelyn M. Leitzinger, Robert David · · United States (Detroit)
A case study of Detroit's urban agriculture market indicates that "business-as-usual" development strategies, which prioritize large-scale investment projects, often fail to achieve their economic development potential. These strategies are noted to potentially exacerbate social or environmental issues, particularly within "moral markets" led by Black activists. The paper explores the mechanisms of such failures and offers recommendations for policymakers and entrepreneurs.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunity Gardens as a Strategy to Address Food Insecurity: A Community-Based Qualitative Study
2026Agaezi Sonya · Community Medicine & Public Health Care · Global
This qualitative study explores community gardens as a strategy to address food insecurity, which disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized communities. Community gardens are presented as local spaces that may enhance access to nutritious foods and promote social connection and cultural continuity.
CommunityWelfareHealthSoil Fertility Management Training for Urban Women Farmers Using PUTK and PUPO: A Participatory Rural Appraisal Approach in KWT Roay Lestari, Indonesia
2026Anita Dwy Fitria, Dwi Wijayanti, Kusuma Agdhi Rahwana, Missi Hikmatyar · ABDIMAS Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia
This community service program in KWT Roay Lestari, Indonesia, aimed to improve soil fertility management skills among urban women farmers using simple soil and fertilizer testing tools. A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach was applied, involving active farmer participation in training and field practice. Pre- and post-training questionnaires showed an increase in participants’ knowledge by over 80% and an initial-final knowledge increase of over 50%. Soil analysis revealed moderately fertile soil with slightly acidic pH, moderate phosphorus, low potassium, and low organic matter, leading to recommendations for the application of 20–25 tons/ha of manure, 20 ml/L of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and 3 tons/ha of lime. The program effectively enhanced farmers’ capacity to independently manage soil fertility in urban farming systems.
DIYFood educationCommunityOrganic cycleCalling plants to the rescue - mitigating the detrimental effects of warfare with phytotechnology
2026Henrik Haller, Elisabeth Simelton, Oskar Englund · npj Science of Plants · Global
This study summarizes three plant-based strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of armed conflicts. These strategies include increased food security through urban gardening, gardening for meaning-making amidst conflict and supporting social cohesion and mental health, and post-war phytoremediation.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityCity soils, city souls: Urban Agriculture Contribution (New European Bauhaus Online Satellite Event 2026)
2026Pierre Chopin, Anton Parisi, Paola Clerino, Agnès Fargue‐Lelièvre, Carnel Megbleto, Lia van Wesenbeeck, Anna Kirstgen, Paris Pencharz, Charlotte Liborio-Cornet, Marta Sylla, Tomasz Kowalczyk, Gati András, Nadira Berbić, Iva Bedenko, Michele D'Ostuni, Penny Zafiraki, Odysseas Sekkas, Tina Katika, C. Kennard · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Europe
This presentation compiles insights, case studies, and strategic models from the "City Soils, City Souls: Urban Agriculture Contribution" workshop, an official New European Bauhaus satellite event. It merges findings from the Horizon Europe FOODCITYBOOST project and other EU initiatives to outline data-driven, community-led strategies for combating urban sprawl, revitalizing peri-urban land, and building circular food systems in European cities.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureSustainability Concerns in Food Production, Livestock, Urbanization, and Environmental Quality in SCO Economies: Assessing the Impact of Energy Consumption
2026Abdul Rehman · Sustainable Development · Asia
This study investigated the effects of food production, urbanization, livestock production, and energy use on environmental quality in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member economies. Using the PCS-ARDL approach, it found that food production and energy consumption positively impact environmental quality, while urbanization and livestock production negatively affect it. The results suggest a need for cohesive policies to balance these factors.
PolicyClimate changeUrban–rural linkageInsurgent Geographies and the Problem of Violence: Lessons From Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
2026Alexei Anisin · Peace & Change · United States (Seattle)
This study analyzed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle, which emerged in June 2020 and lasted 24 days, functioning as an urban hub for mutual aid and urban farming. The research, using randomly sampled Fire Department reports, found that CHAZ had significantly higher emergency response rates and incident variability compared to adjacent areas. The zone was dismantled due to outbreaks of violence, including five shootings, two deaths, sexual assaults, and arson, indicating a failure to address communal safety.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthUrban Agriculture Policy and Household Food Security in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria
2026N. I. Odeh, A. T. OGAH, O. C. Odeh · Journal of African Resilience and Advancement Research · Nigeria
This study in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, examined the urban agriculture (UA) policy framework and household food security using mixed methods, including interviews and a household survey. Findings revealed the absence of a dedicated UA policy, with UA regulated indirectly by general agricultural and land-use policies. Only 20.7% of households were food secure, while 79.3% experienced some level of food insecurity.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsENTRE O DISCURSO E A PRÁTICA
2026Alan da Silva Vinhaes, Tamires Regina Rocha · Revista Tocantinense de Geografia · Brazil (Jundiaí)
This article analyzes the Urban Garden Program in Jundiaí, Brazil, to understand the contradictions between institutional discourse, normative framework, and observed territorial practice. Despite a favorable legal framework, the program's effectiveness is limited by low territorial coverage, a reduced number of active gardens, and reliance on punctual initiatives. The study concludes that long-term public policies with continuous institutional support are needed for urban agriculture to become a permanent component of urban planning.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityGardeners’ knowledge of arthropod ecological roles is shaped by experience, education, and gender
2026Edith Gonzales, Brenda B. Lin, Heidi Liere, Shalene Jha, Stacy M. Philpott · Figshare · United States (California)
An online survey of community gardeners in California, United States, assessed their knowledge of arthropod ecological roles. Gardeners demonstrated high knowledge, correctly classifying 71–83% of arthropod images. Female gardeners more accurately classified pollinators, while those who participated in a Master Gardener program more accurately classified herbivores and natural enemies.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsFood educationCultivando inquietudes nos mantenemos vitales: una experiencia de participación de personas con deficiencia visual grave en un huerto urbano
2026N. Bueno Pulido · RED Visual Revista Especializada en Discapacidad Visual · Global
This 2026 study describes an activity for older adults with severe visual impairment or blindness, affiliated with ONCE, who moved from rural areas to cities and experience loneliness. Recognizing their nostalgia for rural life and gardening, the project connected them with community urban gardens managed by neighborhood and environmental associations. The activity, part of the "Somos vitales" initiative, involved three sessions focused on active collaboration, interaction, and sharing, aiming to revitalize participants and foster new connections.
CommunityElderlyHealthWelfareUsage de pesticides interdits et non homologués en maraîchage périurbain à Kinshasa : cas de Kimwenza et Ndjili Cecomaf
2026Réné Kasende Disashi, Belloty Mundadi Ngeteke, Dorcas Sola Tabitha, Prescilia Mabubu Pembe, Fanny BAKOMBA KIKOBO, Denise OKITO WIKANU, Esther MPIANA MUKANIA, Sarah Kinsona Bombili, Esther Kimpala Karuna, Clément Munganga Kilingwa, Rosie Mubindukila Nzamba · European Scientific Journal ESJ · Congo (Kinshasa)
A study conducted from June 10 to July 20, 2025, in peri-urban market gardens of Kimwenza and Ndjili Cecomaf in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, surveyed 68 market gardeners on the use of prohibited and unauthorized pesticides. The findings revealed an alarming reliance on informal supply channels, with six out of 27 identified pesticides being formally prohibited. Despite 94.3% of gardeners acknowledging risks, only 9.6% used full protective equipment, and 32.7% took no precautions.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthPolicyAdvancing urban horticulture through vertical farming: A global review of technologies and sustainability
2026Khushal Balram Muradi, V Siva Teja, Harshavardhan Mohan Totawar, Laxmi PS, Choudhari Balaji Keshavrao, Yogesh V Wayal, N Sravya, Jagmal P Khatana, Sruthi T, Deshmukh Sarita Babarao · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global
This study conducted a global review of vertical farming technologies and sustainability. Vertical farming shows significant savings in land and water consumption compared to traditional agriculture, yielding high production and quality for leafy greens, herbs, and some fruiting species. However, high energy demand remains a significant barrier to its sustainability and economic feasibility. Key research gaps include crop improvement for controlled settings, energy-efficient system design, renewable energy integration, and standardized frameworks for sustainability evaluation.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceIntersectando a agricultura urbana, o meio ambiente e a educação:
2026Rogers Hansine, Christine Bonnin, Inês Raimundo, Madal Artur, Cândida Bila · Revista Tamoios · Mozambique
The SYNERGI project, implemented from March 2023 to September 2025, aimed to promote urban community involvement in co-creating Socially Inclusive Edible Urban Green Infrastructure (IVUCs) in Maputo and Xai-Xai, Mozambique. The project successfully established IVUCs in six selected schools, increasing food production and educational opportunities. The project highlights the need for better institutional frameworks to support green infrastructure development.
Governance failureCommunityFood educationBiodiversityPolicyLearning Grassroots Regenerative Circularity: Food Forest Pedagogies of Praxis
2026Kensington Food Forest, Kensington Circular Economy Precinct Community Group, Nícolas Guerra-Tão, Corey Ferguson, Alexandre da Silva Faustino, Ana Lara Heyns, Zheng Chin, Stephanie Ochona, Benjamin Cooke · Australian Journal of Environmental Education · Australia (Melbourne)
Research conducted with the Kensington Circular Economy Precinct Community Group in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, examined the Kensington Food Forest, an urban ecological site within public housing estates. This study co-created indicators to capture the ecological, social, and pedagogical values generated by grassroots initiatives, showing how communities learn with their environment and each other. The findings position regenerative circularity as an embodied, relational, and pedagogical praxis.
CommunityBiodiversityOrganic cycleFood educationHeterogeneous policy preferences of urban poultry farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia: a best–worst scaling approach
2026Alem Mezgebo, Muuz Hadush, Kidanemariam Gebrehiwot · Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies · Ethiopia
This study investigated policy preferences among 400 urban poultry farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, using a Best–Worst Scaling approach. Farmers showed strongest preferences for policies on feed quality and safety, digital and financial inclusion, and market and infrastructure access. Significant heterogeneity was observed, with Class 1 farmers being older, more experienced, and subsistence-oriented, while Class 2 farmers were more diversified. The study's limitations include its focus on Tigray urban poultry farmers and cross-sectional data, not assessing long-term impacts or cost-effectiveness.
PolicyEconomicsGreen Movement in Hungary: Endeavors, Achievements and Challenges within a Global Framework
2026Virag Havasi · IntechOpen eBooks · Hungary (Miskolc)
This chapter examines the history of the green movement in Hungary, including its alignment with global environmental trends and domestic political events. A case study of Miskolc revealed a lack of cross-sectoral cooperation and diminished civic mobilization, mirroring national tendencies. Hungarian civil society and green organizations have less financial and social support, and while they adopt social innovations, they do not excel at creating them.
Governance failureCommunityCSA & TeikeiPolicyTrace metal extractability and bioaccessibility in urban soils
2026María Roo, Cecilia Herbón, Juan Pedro Martín‐Sanz, María Teresa Barral, Remigio Paradelo Núñez · Journal of Soils and Sediments · Spain (Santiago de Compostela)
This study analyzed the chemical extractability and bioaccessibility of five trace metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr) in 55 urban soils from Santiago de Compostela, Spain, across various land uses. The availability of trace metals in these soils was found to be very low. Plant-available and bioaccessible Cu and Zn were higher in urban garden soils compared to other uses, supporting hypotheses that Cu, Pb, and Zn originate from anthropogenic pollution.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cyclePhysicochemical Characterization of Surface Waters under Lettuce and Rice Cultivation in the City of Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire
2026Bahi Aristide Armand, Ohou-Yao Marie Jeanne, Kouamé Leonard Kouadio, Sahiri Grâces Kérène, Akpètou Lazare, Akessé Djamatché Paul, Koné Oumar, Dongui Bini Kouamé · International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · Côte d’Ivoire (Daloa)
This study characterized the physicochemical quality of surface waters at 30 sampling points in lettuce and rice cultivation areas in Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire, from January 2024 to January 2025. Physicochemical analyses revealed spatial variability in water quality parameters, with marked fluctuations influenced by agricultural activities. The findings indicate that surface waters are exposed to contamination from farming practices, domestic activities, and rapid urbanization.
Contamination & food safetyHealthClimate changeOrganic cyclePemberdayaan Kelompok Tani Urban Farming Melalui Integrasi Teknologi Budikdamber Untuk Mendukung Ketahanan Pangan
2026Imtihan, Lisa Mayasari, Sanny Edinov · Jurdimas (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) Royal · Indonesia (Padang)
This community service program empowered the Sumber Harapan Farmers Group in Padang City, Indonesia, by applying BUDIKDAMBER (Fish Cultivation in Buckets) technology. The program, which included socialization, training, and mentoring, equipped the group with skills in integrating catfish cultivation with vegetable crops. Knowledge and skills of the farmers group increased from 20% to 87.31%, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in enhancing participation and food security.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationPenguatan Kapasitas Ekonomi Hijau dan Kewirausahaan Sosial melalui Pendampingan Komunitas Binaan di Kota Medan
2026Annisa Ilmi Faried, Rahmad Sembiring, Ahmad Fadlan, Aulia Syahputri Sinaga · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat. · Indonesia (Medan)
This community service activity aimed to strengthen green economic capacity and social entrepreneurship among 42 micro-enterprise partners across four clusters (culinary, crafts/recycling, urban farming, digital creative services) in Medan City over six months. The participatory mentoring approach, including training and technical assistance, resulted in an increase in average monthly turnover for all business clusters. Partner competency scores also improved across six dimensions, with the highest increases in green economy understanding and waste management/recycling.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justice