Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
216 results(7 / 9)
Novel Soil Barrier Systems Potentially Protect Urban Growing Beds from Legacy Soil Contamination and Improve Soil Health
2018Blake T. Moskal, Sean T. Berthrong · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · United States (Indianapolis)
The study tested a barrier strategy used by urban farmers in Indianapolis—layering wood chips between contaminated or low-quality background soil and healthy growing media—for protecting urban growing beds. Despite a limited sample, barriers appeared effective at separating contaminated soils from growing beds, and farming with barriers or in non-contaminated soil improved soil nutrients and physical characteristics, though phosphorus was very high in many beds, posing a potential risk to waterways.
CompostOrganic cycleHealthImpact of Wastewater-Irrigated Urban Agriculture on Diarrhea Incidence in Ahmedabad, India
2018Timo Falkenberg, Deepak Saxena · Indian Journal of Community Medicine · India (Ahmedabad)
A 12-month case-cohort study of 187 households in four communities of Ahmedabad, India, purposively selected by irrigation water type (groundwater, surface water, wastewater), with bimonthly self-reported health diaries and most-probable-number measurement of Escherichia coli in water. Mean E. coli concentrations per 100 mL were 3.04×10^4 (groundwater), 9.28×10^5 (surface water) and 4.02×10^9 (wastewater) — all exceeding international irrigation water standards. Diarrhoea incidence was 7.92 episodes per 1000 person-weeks in the groundwater area versus 13.1 (wastewater) and 13.4 (surface water), with a positive correlation between irrigation water quality and diarrhoea. Wastewater reuse is often promoted as a water-scarcity fix for urban agriculture; this study shows it carries a health cost borne by the farming households themselves.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycle"Grow what you eat, eat what you grow": urban agriculture as middle class intervention in India
2018Camille Frazier · Journal of Political Ecology · India (Bengaluru)
This article examines the motivations and practices of organic terrace gardeners (OTGians) in Bengaluru, India, who grow food in private spaces. While OTGians successfully create a vibrant community driven by food safety and environmental concerns, their efforts are limited to the middle class due to class-specific concerns and production practices. The study highlights that urban gardening in this context remains an intervention primarily for the middle class.
Equity & displacementDIYCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealthAn Analysis of Trend on Agriculture and Dietary Life Education in Korea and in Other Countries
2018Jong-woo Kim · · South Korea
This study analyzed domestic and international trends in agriculture and dietary education through a literature review. The findings suggest a need for programs that cultivate awareness of agriculture's link to food, integrate school gardens with dietary habits due to their proven effectiveness in improving eating habits, and develop diverse, locally appropriate agricultural and dietary education programs.
Food educationHealthCommunityImpact of wastewater-irrigation on in-household water contamination. A cohort study among urban farmers in Ahmedabad, India
2018Timo Falkenberg, Deepak Saxena, Thomas Kistemann · The Science of The Total Environment · India (Ahmedabad)
A cohort study investigated the contribution of wastewater irrigation to in-household water contamination among urban farming households in Ahmedabad, India, within the context of WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene). Drinking water samples from 204 households were collected four times over 12 months, and E. coli was quantified. Significant positive differences in water quality between point-of-source and point-of-use samples were identified in 78% of households. During the monsoon, the peak of contamination, only 6% of households had access to safe drinking water at the point-of-use. Wastewater irrigation showed an adverse effect on in-household water contamination, with an effect size larger than the mitigation effect of access to sanitation or personal hygiene.
Contamination & food safetyHealth실내분화재배를 위한 약용식물 소재 선발
2018이윤지, 이정훈, 박춘근, 정진태, 장재기 · 인간식물환경학회 학술대회 · South Korea
This study addresses the growing social interest in cultivating plants indoors for mental and emotional well-being and environmental improvement, particularly in South Korea. While research on selecting native plants and cultivation environments for urban agriculture is ongoing, studies on indoor cultivation of medicinal plants are scarce. Most medicinal plants are typically harvested from the wild or grown outdoors, unlike other horticultural plants.
DIYHealthUrban–rural linkageImpact of Long-Term Application of Patranala Sewage on Carbon Sequestration and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soils
2018M. L. Dotaniya, V. D. Meena, S. Rajendiran, M. Vassanda Coumar, Asha Sahu, J. K. Saha, S. Kundu, Hiranmoy Das, A. K. Patra · Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science · India (Bhopal)
A case study in peri-urban agricultural lands near Patranala, Bhopal, India, investigated the impact of over 50 years of untreated sewage water irrigation on soil properties. Findings showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in surface soils of sewage-irrigated fields, posing a major concern. Conversely, soil microbial population, enzymatic activities, and organic carbon content were also higher, indicating enhanced carbon sequestration.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthClimate changeOrganic cycleUrban Gardening and Rural-Urban Supply Chains: Reassessing Images of the Urban and the Rural in Northern Vietnam
2018Sandra Kurfürst · · Vietnam (Hanoi)
This chapter explores the production sites of vegetables perceived as clean and safe by Vietnamese consumers, specifically urban gardens in Hanoi and rural areas. It identifies a semantic shift in gardens from aesthetics to utility due to food anxiety and examines access to and social control over public and sacred spaces used for gardening. Urbanites also rely on personal rural-urban food supply networks for food safety, with the rural signifying safe foods based on its image as a place of intimate social relations and nature.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityInfluence of Road Proximity on the Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Korean Urban Agricultural Soils and Crops
2017Kim H., Kim K., Kim W. · Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology · South Korea
Urban agricultural soils near heavily trafficked roads showed elevated nickel and chromium, and unwashed Chinese cabbage leaves collected roadside carried higher heavy-metal levels from deposited traffic-related particles.
HealthSTATUS KANDUNGAN VITAMIN C BEBERAPA SAYURAN DAUN HASIL BUDIDAYA PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN DI SURABAYA
2017Dwi Iriyani, Pangesti Nugrahani · Universitas Terbuka Repository (Universitas Terbuka) · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This study aimed to compare the vitamin C content of spinach, water spinach, and mustard greens produced by urban agriculture in three areas of Surabaya, Indonesia. Vitamin C analysis was performed using the DCPIP titration method. The results showed no significant difference in vitamin C content among the three types of vegetables, but differences in planting locations caused variations in vitamin C content.
HealthUrban–rural linkageInfluence of soil properties on Ni accumulation in food crops and corresponding dietary health risk with a typical C hinese diet
2017Dan Luo, Haifeng Zheng, Ye Chen, Philippe Deleporte, Tianpeng Xie, Siobhán Staunton, G. Wang · Soil Use and Management · China (Fujian Province)
A large-scale survey across 515 sites and 24 crop species in Fujian Province, SE China, assessed nickel (Ni) accumulation in food crops and associated dietary health risks. Crop Ni content was influenced by both soil Ni (DTPA-extractible) and plant species, though PCA did not show strong correlations between soil-to-crop transfer factors and soil properties. The study concluded that dietary intake of foods with mean Ni content could lead to health risks, particularly for children, and that sandy soils rich in organic matter with high Ni content are unsuitable for growing rice and legumes.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agriculture“ECOBLUE”:KONSEP KOMBINASI IMPLEMENTASI RUANG TERBUKA BIRU (RTB) DAN URBAN FARMING BERBASIS KESEJAHTERAAN, PENDIDIKAN DAN KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT KAMPUNG CODE
2017Nur Faizah Marwan, Bagas Setiono, Nur Indah · Jurnal Ilmiah Penalaran dan Penelitian Mahasiswa · Indonesia
Code Village in Indonesia faces severe river pollution, with heavy metal levels at 6-9 mg/l, exceeding the 3 mg/l standard. This paper proposes the "ECOBLUE" concept, which combines Blue Open Space (BOS) optimization with urban farming, prioritizing waste management to improve living standards. The concept involves managing organic waste for fertilizer and recycling plastic for vertical gardens, aiming to enhance health, education, and prosperity in Code Village.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareCompostOrganic cycleKETAHANAN PANGAN DAN COPING STRATEGY RUMAH TANGGA URBAN FARMING PERTANIAN DAN PERIKANAN KOTA SURABAYA
2017Fika Mayrlina Anggrayni, Dini Ririn Andrias, Merryana Adriani · Media Gizi Indonesia · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This observational study, conducted in Surabaya, Indonesia, analyzed differences in food security and coping strategies between agriculture and fisheries urban farming households. Among 62 households, 64.7% of the agriculture group were food secured, while 75% of the fishery group were food insecure with severe hunger. There was no statistical difference in household food security between the agriculture and fisheries urban farming groups (p=0.255). However, a difference in coping strategy was found (p=0.021), with agriculture urban farming households being more food secure and rarely employing coping strategies compared to fishery urban farming households.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityHow Can Botanical Gardens Support Sustainable Urban Development? A Case Study of Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
2017Yonghong Hu, Gilles Vincent, Xiao‐Ya Chen · Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden · China (Shanghai)
This case study examines the role of Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in Shanghai's sustainable development over six years. The garden collaborates with local government on the "City Green Master Plan," supports urban horticulture and phytoremediation, and conserves 14 critically endangered plant species in East China. It also develops new plant varieties for functional food and educates the public on plant conservation.
PolicyBiodiversityHealth고령자의 건강증진을 위한 지원주택의 공용공간 특성 분석
2017Cho-Hee 성초희Sung, Yeun-Sook 이연숙Lee · 한국실내디자인학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea (Seoul)
This study analyzed the characteristics of communal spaces in supportive housing for vulnerable elderly, focusing on their role in health promotion. Using the first supportive housing in Seoul, South Korea, as a case, 18 communal spaces, including a rooftop garden, were classified into five purpose types. The research found that communal spaces are largely related to social health, indicating a strong correlation between communal spaces and a sense of coherence for achieving salutogenesis.
ElderlyHealthCommunity도시농업 체험프로그램이 노인의 정신건강에 미치는 영향
2017강현경, 백승준 · · South Korea
This study conducted in South Korea investigated the effect of an urban agriculture experience program on the mental health of seniors over 65 years old. The experiment group, who participated in the program for over six months, showed statistically significantly lower stress scores related to loneliness and lower health-related stress levels compared to the control group, while the control group exhibited significantly higher depression levels. Urban agriculture activities were shown to stabilize sympathetic nerves and activate parasympathetic nerves in the elderly, increasing resistance against stress.
HealthElderlyFood educationEffects of Sustainable Home-Yard Food Garden (KRPL) Program: A Case of Banten in Indonesia
2017Eka Rastiyanto Amrullah, Ani Pullaila, Akira Ishida, Haruka Yamashita · Asian Social Science · Indonesia (Banten)
In Banten, Indonesia, the effects of the Sustainable Home-Yard Food Garden (KRPL) program on participants' household income were evaluated. The program was shown to contribute to dietary diversification through the harvest of various fresh vegetables and resulted in reduced expenditure on fresh vegetables and/or increased household income. OLS regression results indicated that participants with more pots and/or more vegetable varieties tended to enjoy gardening, were not passively motivated, grew vegetables for sale, and resided in the more developed northern part of Banten.
DIYEconomicsHealthPeri-urban agriculture도시농업 활동이 친환경 식단에 미치는 영향
2017강미영, 김영희, 김용현, 진종현, 이민희, 허무룡 · · South Korea
This study conducted in South Korea investigated the influence of urban farming activities on changes in eco-friendly diets. Urban farming participants were often office workers living in apartments with 4-person families, and tended to have over 10 years of rural experience in childhood. They participated in activities for 1-2 hours on weekend mornings once a week for over 3 years. Eco-friendly food education influenced crop yields, and difficulties with weed removal and the need for eco-friendly farming education were noted. Participants reported satisfaction with the type and quality of harvests, changes in diet, reduced food costs, and health benefits.
HealthFood educationCommunityDIYEconomicsSustainability at work, sustainability at play
2017Jyothsna Latha Belliappa, Alison Byrnes, Prayas Abhinav · · India
The City Spinning project, an urban horticulture and community networking experiment in two Indian cities, demonstrated a low-cost, resource-light model that separates consumption from ownership, aligning with sustainable Product-Service Systems. This project aimed to support urban poor children's nutritional needs and foster social equity by enabling interaction with community members. It also highlighted the importance of safe play spaces for children's development of citizenship competencies, which are often limited to confined playgrounds in most Indian cities.
CommunityFood educationWelfareHealthRooftop production of leafy vegetables can be profitable and less contaminated than farm-grown vegetables
2016· Agronomy for Sustainable Development · China (Zhejiang)
A study evaluating leafy vegetable production on rooftops in Zhejiang, China. It reports that rooftop-grown greens can be profitable and less contaminated than conventionally farm-grown vegetables.
EconomicsHealthEffects of horticulture therapy on nursing home older adults in southern Taiwan
2016· Quality of Life Research · Taiwan
A study in southern Taiwan testing horticulture therapy on nursing home older adults' activities of daily living, happiness, meaning of life, and interpersonal intimacy, with the intervention group receiving weekly one-hour sessions for eight weeks and showing significant improvements.
ElderlyHealthUrban Agriculture In Mumbai: Worth Its Weight In Produce?
2016Christiane Joi Allen · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · India (Mumbai)
This study evaluated the environmental, social, and economic benefits of urban agriculture in Mumbai, India, using Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis. Results indicate that urban agriculture has lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water consumption but higher eutrophication potential compared to commercial large-scale agriculture.
Environmental trade-offsEconomicsClimate changeHealthOrganic cycleSoil Lead Testing at a High Spatial Resolution in an Urban Community Garden: A Case Study in Relic Lead in Terre Haute, Indiana.
2016Jennifer C. Latimer, David Van Halen, James H. Speer, Stephanie Krull, Patricia G. Weaver, Joseph M. Pettit, Heather Foxx · PubMed · United States (Indiana)
This study collected over 1,061 surface soil samples from an approximately 1.25-acre urban community garden in Terre Haute, Indiana, during the summer of 2012, to evaluate the spatial distribution of lead at the plot level. The results highlighted significant variability in lead concentrations within small areas of a former residential property, with some areas showing high lead concentrations (600 ppm). Based on these findings, several areas of concern were identified, and the community garden was reconfigured to reduce potential lead exposure to gardeners and the local community.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityImpacts of Wastewater Reuse on Peri-Urban Agriculture: Case Study in Udaipur City, India
2016Kamal Kishore Yadav, Pradeep Kumar Singh, R. C. Purohit · Water science and technology library · India (Udaipur)
A study in the peri-urban area of Udaipur City, India, investigated heavy metal contamination in soil, vegetable crops, and groundwater due to wastewater reuse. While groundwater-irrigated vegetables showed heavy metal levels within WHO limits, wastewater-irrigated spinach, tomato, and radish at site 3 (Kanpur – Madri Villave) exceeded maximum permissible limits for Fe, Zn, and Cd. Urban wastewater-irrigated spinach was found to accumulate Fe, Zn, and Cd significantly above permissible limits at all three selected locations, making it unsafe for human consumption.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealth[발표] 통합교과 기반 ‘학교 교육형’ 도시농업이 초등학생의 감성지수에 미치는 영향
2016곽혜란, 김명길 · 한국실과교육학회 학술대회논문집 · South Korea
This study developed an 18-session school-based urban agriculture program for first-grade elementary school students, integrated with their curriculum, and investigated its impact on students' emotional intelligence. After applying the program, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in emotional intelligence scores compared to pre-tests, with positive effects observed across all five sub-domains. These findings suggest that urban agriculture education based on integrated subjects has a positive effect on improving elementary school students' emotional intelligence.
Food educationHealth