Research & reports

Wilfred Subbo · University of Nairobi Research Archive (University of Nairobi) · Kenya (Nairobi)

This paper discusses strategies for sustainable food production in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to supplement rural food supplies and improve urban health through fresh, accessible food. It argues for discarding the attitude that food can only be produced in rural areas and explores the linkage between sanitation and urban food security. Additionally, the paper offers suggestions for mechanisms to increase food production in Nairobi.

朱慧娟 · 浙江现代农业 · China

In recent years, Yinzhou District's agriculture has actively promoted the adjustment of its industrial structure and industrialization, achieving sustained and healthy development aimed at increasing agricultural efficiency and farmers' income. Following the conversion of Yinxian County into a district, administrative barriers with the Ningbo urban area were removed, facilitating the rational flow of production factors and opening new avenues for the district's socio-economic development. This has led to the emergence of numerous large-scale, high-grade leading agricultural enterprises.

Marc Lavergne · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · Europe

While urbanization and agriculture often appear contradictory, the existence of urban agriculture (intra-urban and peri-urban) in the Mediterranean basin demonstrates that their relationship is not as clear-cut. Urban growth consumes agricultural land, and urban and rural worlds seem radically opposed in lifestyles and values. However, urban agriculture has forged complex relationships with the urban environment, involving both antagonisms and complementarities.

Lai Chang-wei · Journal of Chongqing Institute of Commerce · China (Chongqing)

This study examines the declining proportion of agriculture in Chongqing Urbanism Circle's total economic gross due to civilization and industrialization. It asserts that agriculture's status remains important for perfecting city functions and developing industries. Modifying agricultural structure and functions and developing modern urban agriculture are identified as significant tasks for promoting Chongqing's agricultural and overall industrial development within the Urbanism Circle.

Brian Halweil · · Global

This book points out that the long-distance food system consumes staggering amounts of fuel, generates greenhouse gases, and compromises food security. Since 1961, the tonnage of food shipped between nations has grown fourfold, with food in the United States typically traveling 1,500 to 2,500 miles from farm to plate. While this system often runs roughshod over local cuisines, varieties, and agriculture, a local-foods movement is beginning to emerge globally.

XI Yu-kun · · China

A policy discussion of Jinan, capital of Shandong province and an economically strong city, argues for how Jinan's urban agriculture should draw on its basic conditions and advantages under a policy of integrating urban and rural areas, developing service-oriented functions such as ecological environment, leisure, tourism, experience and education alongside production and livelihood functions, so that agriculture becomes an organic part of the city.

Caitlin DeSilvey · Cultural Geographies · United Kingdom (Edinburgh)

A paper on Scottish allotment gardens examines how the ambiguity pervading allotment practice surfaces as a liability in strategic appeals and draws out the survival of historical forms in contemporary political negotiations, by juxtaposing narratives of involvement in a Scottish Parliament Allotments Inquiry and the history of a single Edinburgh allotment site.

James M. Wolf, M S van Wijk, X Cheng, Yuanhao Hu, C.A. van Diepen, A.W. Jongbloed, H van Keulen, C H Lu, R.P. Roetter · Environment and Urbanization · China (Beijing)

This paper reviews agricultural production trends in Beijing Municipality and their impact on water quality. Rapid urbanization and agricultural intensification have led to concerns regarding water resource quantity and quality. The agricultural sector, while supplying food, is a major water user and has contributed to significant water supply-demand gaps and high levels of water pollution, particularly from intensive crop, vegetable, and livestock production.

Shi Ya · Journal of Beijing Union University · China (Beijing)

This study focused on new ideas and avenues for developing modern urban agriculture in the Beijing area. It considered various agricultural development styles, concluding that modern urban agriculture holds strategic significance for optimizing the city's structure and advancing its modernization level.

Amy Damin, James Palmer · · Denmark (Copenhagen)

This paper investigates the history and social life of allotment gardens with small cottages in Denmark, which offer a partial rural lifestyle in urban areas. These gardens allow urbanites to coexist with nature for several months annually through temporary living and plant cultivation. The study specifically examines the Sano garden near Copenhagen.

俞凯丰 · 上海农村经济 · China (Shanghai)

This paper discusses the profound changes in agriculture's function, its role in urbanization, and urban-rural relations within the context of Shanghai's development into an international metropolis. Following fundamental shifts in China's agricultural product supply and demand, agriculture in metropolitan suburbs is no longer merely a subsidiary food base. New urban demands and qualitative changes in agriculture necessitate its extension into secondary and tertiary industries and integration with cities, thereby giving agriculture new connotations and functions, and forming a new development pattern.

Han-Cheol Hwang, Soo‐Myung Choi · Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning · South Korea (Seoul)

A study in Seoul examined farmers' views on the Green Belt policy. Leaseholders did not want changes, while landowning farmers desired revision or dissolution, with both groups citing development delays and difficulty changing land use. The Green Belt policy was found to cause development delays and land use change difficulties, indicating negative impacts on farmers.

Pierre Donadieu, André Fleury · Revue de géographie alpine · Europe

This paper discusses the role of agriculture in the "country town" project in Europe. Peri-urban areas, once unpleasant environments despite their essential urban functions, have recently become attractive to new inhabitants seeking countryside amenities. Urban planning supports this concept by creating green belts and integrating agriculture as an essential element of natural spaces.

Diao Yong-zuo · Zhongguo Qingnian Zhengzhi Xueyuan xuebao · Global

Urban agriculture is a significant phenomenon of social and economic development and an important constituent of the urban industrial structure. It has overtaken and promoted traditional agriculture, with its function and influence extending beyond traditional agriculture, becoming a significant aspect of the modern urban economy. Actively cultivating urban agriculture is a key task for developing the modern urban economy and achieving agricultural modernization.

Lei Qion, Peng Ke-shan · Journal of Chongqing University. English Edition · China

This paper addresses three agricultural problems in China: slow agricultural growth, lagging rural development, and low peasant income. These issues, stemming from urban-rural disparities and financial deviations from the planned economy era, are analyzed with urban agriculture presented as an effective solution. The paper discusses the importance, basic concepts, and characteristics of urban agriculture, summarizes its role and development model in the Yangling agricultural high technology and production model area, and proposes sustainable development countermeasures based on advanced experiences from China and abroad.

Darcy Varney · Children Youth and Environments · Paraguay

In the summer of 2000, Plan International introduced vegetable gardening to 48 rural primary schools in Paraguay's southern provinces. This program aimed to improve children's health through nutrition and equip them with skills to share with their parents. Plan provided seeds, tools, fencing materials, and technical support to help children and community members build gardens.

André Fleury, Paule Moustier, Jean-Jacques Toiron · Agritrop (Cirad) · Global

This project aims to analyze the specificities and contributions of peri-urban agriculture to the transformation of peri-urban spaces into urban territories. It seeks to unify analytical concepts for agriculture in urban areas and produce intervention tools for urban planning and agricultural policy. The project hypothesizes that the sustainability of peri-urban agriculture depends on its ability to integrate into urban policy and projects, leveraging diverse urban demands.

Jiang Nai-li · · China (Shenyang)

This article defines urban agriculture, analyzes the advantages and necessity of its development in Shenyang, and proposes a suitable model, based on an extensive review of materials. The author concludes that broadening the function of urban agriculture is necessary to find a development path with Chinese characteristics.

You Shao · · China (Chongqing)

This paper examines the development of urban agricultural industrialization in the metropolitan periphery, using Chongqing, China, as an example. It identifies the position, role, and favorable conditions of urban agriculture, which embodies economic, social, and ecological functions. The study also highlights existing problems in Chongqing's agricultural industrialization and proposes countermeasures.

Neil S. Brantley · San José State University ScholarWorks (San Jose State University) · Global

This research project aims to provide a framework of relevant information for developing sustainable urban agriculture systems as a tool to improve the quality of life for the urban poor. Two different infrastructure contexts are presented, with the intent of relating the applicability of urban agriculture initiatives to enhancing destitute urban communities in both developed and developing worlds, referencing successful case studies. Urban agriculture is beginning to be recognized by the world community as one viable urban development option.

Takashi Watanabe, Makoto Yokohari, Ryuto Matsuzawa · Journal of the City Planning Institute of Japan · Japan (Tokyo)

This study clarified farmers' responses to agricultural activities involving urban residents in the Tokyo Metropolis. The findings showed that over half of the farmers engaged in agricultural activities involving urban residents, and those enthusiastic about these activities often demonstrated excellent farm management. Furthermore, municipalities within the target area were categorized into three types based on the proportion of farmers involved in urban resident-associated agricultural activities.

Derek Wall · · Global

The Green movement has historically been defined by ruralism, concerned not just with environmental quality but with promoting a way of life close to the land, with calls for radical land reform by figures like John Ball and Fergus O’Connor. Modern remnants of this "back to the land" campaign include allotments and city farms, often situated in depressed urban areas.

Xie Pei-xiu · Zhongguo liutong jingji · China

This paper argues that developing logistics for agriculture is an urgent need for rural institutional reform in China, where attention is required for factor saving and optimization. It proposes that the government should reform state-owned grain enterprises, support diverse logistics enterprises, foster modern logistics, and establish regional peasant cooperative organizations and urban farming product distribution systems. Additionally, a new grain security system based on modern logistics and market-based operations should be established.

董艳华 · 河南农业 · China (Zhengzhou)

In recent years, Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Agriculture has actively developed urban agriculture and agro-tourism, focusing on pollution-free vegetables, brand building, and market expansion, guided by the policy of "serving the city, enriching farmers, prospering the economy, and optimizing the ecology." These efforts have significantly contributed to Zhengzhou's urban construction and economic development. Currently, 4 million farmers in Zhengzhou are making new contributions towards building a moderately prosperous society.

Yansui Liu · · China

China's agricultural structure adjustment from 1997 to 2000 focused on comprehensive adjustments of quality, varieties, industrial, and regional structures. While distinctive agriculture increased by 3.1% during this period, the effects of the adjustment varied significantly due to regional comparative advantages. Notably, foodstuff crop seeding areas dropped by 3.97% and foodstuff yield by 6.47% nationally, with visible drops in 22 provinces, leading to a warning that loosening vigilance on food security necessarily leads to a significant drop in China's food security.