Research & reports

Sam E. Wortman, Sarah Taylor Lovell · Journal of Environmental Quality · United States

This review paper characterized the limited state of scientific knowledge regarding abiotic environmental factors threatening the growth of urban agriculture in the United States. It identified challenges influencing urban cropping systems, including soil contamination and remediation, atmospheric pollutants and altered climatic conditions, and water management, sources, and safety. The development of a science-based approach in these areas is noted as essential for the economic and environmental sustainability of urban agriculture.

Lijie He · · China

This article analyzes the current situation and problems of urban agricultural development in small towns of China. It identifies severe problems hindering progress, including decreasing agricultural land, severe waste of land resources, serious agricultural pollution, low quality and income of agricultural labor, limited transport capacity, insufficient funding, and a lack of related policies and regulations.

Wakuru Magigi · Journal of Environmental Protection · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

This paper explores Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, demonstrating that urban agriculture provides urban ecosystem services and contributes to environmental sustainability. The study highlights the interconnections of environmental justice, urban ecosystem services, and climate change, which influence land governance and productivity. It suggests that with increasing population, a clear spatial land use planning and management strategy is required to enhance food systems and urban environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities.

Marta Bobowski · Facta Simonidis · Germany

This article addresses the phenomenon of urban gardening, with a specific focus on Germany. Part I defines and categorizes the main forms of non-economically motivated gardening in urban public space, outlining its core attributes and historical background. Part II indicates how the culture of a historical period affects the shape of green areas and clarifies the correlation between urban gardening and present political, social, and ecological discourses.

“Biopolis” Biopolicy for Greener and More Livable Cities · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global

This article proposes a "biopolis" model, supported by biopolicy principles, for sustainable urban management. It suggests that this model can lead to coordinated actions that limit emissions, expand green spaces, protect waterways, and encourage urban farming. The biopolis model aims to enhance cultural development, create green jobs, and promote educational opportunities, contributing to healthier and more livable cities.

Richard Blaustein · BioScience · Global

This article discusses how cities globally are revitalizing urban biodiversity through various efforts, including watershed restoration, green infrastructure, and reintroducing native species. It highlights the concept of "biophilic cities" by Timothy Beatley, which integrates nature into urban design for social and health benefits. The Cities for Life Summit in October 2012, attended by over 500 people including mayors, further boosted urban biodiversity initiatives by showcasing the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook report.

Robert Garey Stewart, Marcel Korth, Laurenz Langer, Shannon Rafferty, N Rebelo Da Silva · · Global

This paper is a protocol for a systematic review on the impacts of urban agriculture programs on food security and nutrition in low and middle-income countries. It notes potential disadvantages of urban agriculture, including contamination, spread of diseases, depletion of water supplies, soil erosion, and health risks from pesticides. The review aims to identify, appraise, and synthesize evidence on these impacts comprehensively and transparently, given that the existing evidence-base is not well understood.

Chinenye Agbaje, Ogechi Nwachukwu · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Nigeria (Lagos)

This study investigated the efficacy of smart irrigation schemes to address water management challenges in urban rooftop gardens in Lagos, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-method approach with quantitative data analysis and qualitative interviews, it found that smart irrigation systems reduced water consumption by an average of 25% compared to traditional methods, with a 95% confidence level. The research provided robust evidence for the efficacy of smart irrigation schemes in urban rooftop gardens, offering policy recommendations for sustainable water management policies.

원선이 · 한국화예디자인학연구 · South Korea

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services in South Korea created a vegetable garden to provide urban agriculture activists with rational methods for rooftop garden creation and crop cultivation guidelines. Over two years, 201 plant materials were collected and studied, with 170 ultimately selected. Selected edible plants included 48 vegetable species, 9 fruit tree species, and 11 field crop species, while ornamental plants included 40 flower species, 23 herb species, 16 sedum and sedge species, and 23 woody species. Four planting models—box, tunnel, wall, and mobile box types—were also developed based on the growth characteristics and uses of the collected plant materials.

Kyle Clark, Kimberly A. Nicholas · Landscape Ecology · United States (Burlington, Vermont)

This study proposes "urban food forestry" (UFF), combining urban agriculture, urban forestry, and agroforestry, to enhance urban sustainability and food security. It analyzed 37 urban food tree initiatives, finding 73% performed only one activity (planting, mapping, or harvesting) and 8% performed all three. An analysis of 30 urban forestry master plans showed only 13% included human food security objectives. A case study in Burlington, Vermont, estimated that planting Malus domestica in public spaces could meet 108% of the city's daily fruit intake under the most ambitious scenario. The study identified 70 potential food tree species for temperate urban environments, with 30 deemed highly suitable.

Cabrera Trimiño, Gilberto Javier · · Cuba (Ciudad Habana)

In Cuba, urban agriculture is a movement producing food in urban spaces using local resources under ecological principles. While large cities like Havana cannot achieve food self-sufficiency, agricultural programs can enhance understanding of the population-environment-development relationship in Cuba, the Caribbean, and Latin America. This understanding is crucial for public policies addressing contemporary challenges like environmental vulnerability and climate change impacts.

Sherece Burma Tami Ambury · Earth Common Journal · Global

This article explores three visions of sustainability through urban gardening at individual, community, and city levels, as visually presented by MacEwan University Design Studies students in their final documentary photography project. It details the students' project development process, including subject location and interviews, and highlights their increased awareness and interest in how urban and suburban residents can find or grow their own food.

Priyanie Amerasinghe, R. M. Bhardwaj, Christopher A. Scott, Kiran Jella · · India

This study analyzed the current status of wastewater generation, its uses, and livelihood benefits, particularly in agriculture, in India. It was based on national data and case studies from Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Kolkata. A lack of systematic data collection by municipalities makes it difficult to accurately assess wastewater generation or estimate the total urban area under wastewater irrigation.

Larissa Vásquez-Moreno, Ana Córdova y Vázquez · International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development · Mexico (San Cristobal de Las Casas)

This study developed a conceptual framework to assess urban agriculture's (UA) potential contributions to urban sustainability (US). The framework was applied to a qualitative analysis of UA practices in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico. The study found a rich practice of UA in the city and that the framework was valuable for evidencing data and stimulating analysis. However, the study also discusses limitations of UA and further refinements needed for the framework to guide actions towards increasing UA's impact on urban sustainability.

Beaven Utete · Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science · Zimbabwe

The ecological integrity of the peri-urban Chiraura River system in Zimbabwe was assessed through multivariate analysis of physicochemical parameters and the resident macroinvertebrate community. Monthly collections were conducted over five months from November 2011 to March 2012 at six sites, recording 1209 macroinvertebrates. Unsustainable anthropogenic activities, including industrial, domestic, and urban agricultural activities, were found to affect the water quality of the Chiraura River through run-off and increased effluent.

AN Asadu, EM Igbokwe, JM Chah, IA Enwelu · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria (Enugu)

This study investigated farmers' perceptions of health and environmental hazards from urban livestock keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria, interviewing 75 heads of households. While all respondents were aware of general health and environmental implications, only 4.0% knew livestock could cause climate change. Identified environmental issues included crop destruction (89.3%), urban filth (89.3%), and noise (88.0%), while health issues included disease spread (50.7%), accidents (46.7%), and bad smell (86.7%).

Sharon McDonough · Practically primary · Australia (Melbourne)

This reflective piece explores the concept of sustainability and its connection to gardening in Melbourne, Australia. The author observes that a focus on sustainability encourages individuals to engage in personal and community gardening, including planting on nature strips. An example in Melbourne highlights neighbors collaboratively planting and caring for herbs, fostering community engagement and shared resource management.

Wen-jiang Li, Linjun Li, Guoyu Qiu · Journal of Integrative Agriculture · China (Shenzhen)

Water and electricity-use patterns in Shenzhen, South China, were analyzed from 2001 to 2009. Water and electricity use per GDP in agriculture was the highest among sectors, indicating inefficiency. Traditional agriculture in Shenzhen will not be sustainable during urbanization and industrialization, except for high-tech intensive agriculture with low water and energy costs, and has been gradually substituted by industry, construction, residential life, and services.

Kathryn Colasanti, Michael W. Hamm · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States

This paper criticizes Hallsworth and Wong (2013) for failing to adequately recognize the potential for increased productivity in urban agriculture and its role in alleviating food insecurity. The authors emphasize the opportunities for urban agriculture in diverse North American cities and the potential for productivity expansion using methods like passive solar and season extension. They cite examples such as Michigan hoophouses growing 30 crops year-round and a 4-square-meter garden providing daily vegetable servings for a family of four, arguing that urban agriculture's value extends beyond food quantity.

Alessandra Pavesi, Denise de Freitas, Bárbara Pacheco Lopes · · Global

This paper reaffirms the importance of community horticulture as a tool for learning scientific and political skills essential for building sustainable and resilient Socioecological Systems (SES). It explores concepts from (Agro)Ecology and Education, reframing community and school gardens from a contextualized perspective to strengthen adaptive capacity and enable systems to respond to disruptions.

Juan Wu, Ming Xin Liu, Lei Xiao · Advanced materials research · China (Zhongshan)

This study reports on a thermal experiment and energy saving analysis of rooftop farming conducted in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China, in August 2011. External and internal surface temperatures of roofs with and without greening were measured using the same climate parameters. The experiment results indicate that green roofs with urban farming contribute to modulating air temperature in building interior spaces, showing lower external surface temperatures than normal flat roofs during hot summer days. The vegetated green roof system was found to effectively lower surface temperature by 6 °C and save 18.7% electric power compared to traditional flat roofs.

Jana Adamková · Brno University of Technology Digital Library (Brno University of Technology) · Global

This article discusses how productive gardens, historically integral to cities, have been disappearing from urban structures in recent years. As urban agglomerations and their resource uses become dominant, cities increasingly depend on external food supplies. The article highlights the importance of gardens for humans and the role of productive urban space in creating a viable urban environment. It states that as the world urbanizes, urban agriculture plays an important role in contributing to the sustainability of cities in spatial, socio-economic, and environmental ways.

Meliz Akyol, Hayriye Eşbah Tunçay · · Turkey (Istanbul)

This study explores the role of productive landscapes, specifically urban agriculture, in creating resilient cities. Istanbul, Turkey, is presented as a case study, noting the historical influence of food on the city's image and traces of agricultural uses along the Theodosian Walls and in old neighborhoods. Despite agricultural lands being transformed into settlement areas due to rapid urbanization, the study suggests that combining agriculture with new technology, architectural trends, and sustainable master plans will encourage urban agriculture and create more resilient urban environments.

Adrian Atkinson · City · Global

This paper analyzes the background to the rapid growth of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) globally over the past three decades. It notes that while food security is a primary consideration in many cities, UPA initiatives are driven by many other concerns, motivations, starting points, and organizational means.

Ellen Kohl · Southeastern geographer · United States (Georgia)

This case study analyzed water management during the 2007-2009 drought in Athens, Georgia, examining how urban agriculture sector members recognized multi-scalar water management and used these interactions for political benefit. The study found that interactions between state, regional, and local drought management, drought perceptions, and interpretations of power to manage water during the drought led to the approval of Georgia House Bill 1281, which changed how water is managed during drought. This paper argues that it is necessary to consider the perception of drought and drought management, as well as the drought itself, because they influence how stakeholders participate in political processes and change how water is used during drought.