Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
855 results(7 / 35)
Resilience to abrupt global catastrophic risks disrupting trade: Combining urban and near-urban agriculture in a quantified case study of a globally median-sized city
2025Matt Boyd, Nick Wilson · PLoS ONE · Global
This study estimates the contribution of urban and near-urban agriculture to resilience against abrupt global catastrophic risks (GCRs) in a globally median-sized city. Using mathematical optimization and Google Earth image analysis, researchers determined optimal crops and land area for food production. Findings indicate that urban agriculture could feed 20% of the population, with an additional 1140 hectares of near-urban cultivation and 110 hectares for biofuel feedstock needed to cover the shortfall, though more land is required in nuclear winter scenarios.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood Systems
2025M. L. Wahlqvist · Food and nutrition · Global
This chapter defines food systems and their evolution, noting that current systems contribute significantly to environmental degradation. It highlights the urgent need for transformation due to increasing global food demand, environmental issues, political instability, and climate change. The chapter discusses alternative food systems, including urban agriculture, that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and social justice to address challenges in industrialized food production and ensure access to nutritious food.
Food sovereignty & justiceCSA & TeikeiCommunityClimate changeRole of Urban Farming in Promoting Sustainable Economic Development
2025Yosra Abduljalel Alajeli, Gunavathy Selvarajh · Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies · Global
This qualitative desk research investigated urban farming's economic, environmental, and societal impacts on sustainable economic development. Findings indicate urban farming enhances local economies, provides fresh produce, strengthens community engagement, and promotes green infrastructure. However, its broader adoption is hindered by limited land access, inadequate legislative support, and low public awareness.
Governance failureEconomicsClimate changeCommunityPolicyThe Role of Minor Mediterranean Fruit Trees in Sustainable Residential Landscaping: A Longitudinal Perspective
2025Mümüne Selen Abbasoğlu, İbrahim Kahramanoğlu · HortScience · Global
This study explored the role of minor Mediterranean fruit trees in sustainable residential landscapes by examining their presence, selection criteria, and long-term trends in home gardens. Data from structured surveys of 400 homeowners revealed olive (60.3%) and pomegranate (50.0%) as the most prevalent species. Older gardens (40+ years) exhibited greater biodiversity, while newer gardens prioritized easier-to-maintain and aesthetically appealing species. Overall, the study indicated a gradual shift from traditional Mediterranean fruit trees to monotonous, low-maintenance gardens.
DIYBiodiversityClimate changeIntegrating urban rooftop farming into city governance in megacities: A systematic literature review
2025Md. Ashikuzzaman, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, Atiq Zaman · Cities · Global
This systematic literature review analyzed 75 published materials using PRISMA methodology to characterize the governance process for urban rooftop farming (URF) in megacities. The study found that a structured governance framework for URF is scarce, but existing literature helps define potential policy instruments and strategies for integration with city governance. A two-tier governance framework is proposed, requiring attention from local government and stakeholders.
PolicyCommunityClimate changeUrban Agriculture in Mogadishu: Opportunities and Constraints
2025Yasin Mohamed Ibrahim · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Somalia (Mogadishu)
A study in Mogadishu, Somalia, used snowball sampling to assess constraints and opportunities for urban horticulture. It found that temperature, wind, pests, diseases, and limited irrigation water significantly restrict production, particularly for open-field farmers who face high irrigation demands, pest infestations, and low-quality yields unattractive to buyers. While greenhouses offer some protection, plastic greenhouses specifically suffer from inadequate gutter height and poor ventilation, requiring farmers to use primitive methods to combat extreme temperatures.
Economic viabilityPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUse of Lighting Technology in Controlled and Semi-Controlled Agriculture in Greenhouses and Protected Agriculture Systems—Part 1: Scientific and Bibliometric Analysis
2025Edwin Villagrán, John Javier Espitia, Jader Rodríguez, Linda Gomez, Gina Marcela Amado Saavedra, E.J. Baeza, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Jorge Flores-Velázquez, Mohammad Akrami, Rodrigo Gil, Luis Alejandro Arias · Sustainability · Global
This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of artificial lighting technologies in greenhouses and protected agriculture, examining scientific publications from the Scopus database between 1974 and 2024. It found a significant increase in research over the last two decades, with the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and China leading in scientific output. Key trends include the use of specific light spectra (red and blue) and the integration of LED systems with digital sensors, though adoption in developing countries like Colombia remains in early stages.
Digital agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsURBAN AGRICULTURE AND VERTICAL FARMING: HYBRID MODELS FOR FOOD PRODUCTION, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
2025Faran Muhammad, Muneeba, Muhammad Bilal · Gomal Journal of Agriculture and Biology · Global
This paper explored hybrid approaches to urban agriculture combining vertical farming and rooftop gardening. Experimental pilot hybrid systems installed in certain metropolitan regions showed significant improvements in yield per unit area, water-use efficiency, and energy-use efficiency compared to normal rooftop gardens. Qualitative assessments highlighted positive community-level outcomes, including greater dietary diversity, better comprehension of sustainable food habits, and a rise in wellness and health perception.
DIYCommunityHealthClimate changeDigital agricultureDesign and evaluation of a solar powered smart irrigation system for sustainable urban agriculture
2025Mahmoud A. Abdelhamid, Tarek Kh. Abdelkader, Hassan A. A. Sayed, Zhao Zhang, Xiaohui Zhao, Mohamed F. Atia · Scientific Reports · Global
This study aimed to advance sustainable urban agriculture by designing and evaluating a solar-powered smart rooftop irrigation system for peppermint cultivation. The smart system reduced water and energy consumption by 28.1% compared to conventional irrigation, and also achieved a notable reduction in CO2 emissions from 0.252 kg CO₂/m²/year to 0.181 kg CO₂/m²/year. Economic analysis demonstrated a payback period of 5.6 years, highlighting its financial viability.
Digital agricultureClimate changeDIYIntegrated Drain-Type Fish Culture and Urban/Peri-Urban Agriculture System
2025Mokhdum Azam Mashrafi, Mokhdum Azam Mashrafi · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This project aims to establish an integrated, eco-friendly system for fish culture, vegetable cultivation, fruit gardening, and animal farming within and around cities, towns, villages, highways, and agricultural zones. The system utilizes drain-type artificial lakes, fenced culture units, water recycling mechanisms, climate-control methods, and energy-efficient technologies to ensure high production even in challenging environments. The project emphasizes food security, urban sustainability, youth employment, environmental protection, and efficient land use.
Food sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureClimate changeEconomicsTrends in urban edible landscapes: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis
2025Huihua Yang, Mohammed Mahdi Hussein, Roziya Binti Ibrahim, RAN LYU · Environmental Research Communications · Global
This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 3,089 publications from 2000 to 2024 from the Web of Science database, focusing on urban edible landscapes. Using tools like CiteSpace and R, the research identified hotspots, knowledge structures, and emerging trends in the field. The analysis highlights the multifaceted impacts of edible landscapes on urban ecosystems and residents' well-being, emphasizing their role in urban sustainability.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeREINO VEGETAL: RESILIÊNCIA E GENEROSIDADE ABSOLUTA À SAÚDE COLETIVA
2025Omar Ángel Arach, Iracélis de Fatima Moraes, José Oswaldo Soares de Oliveira, Amira RACHID, Sandra Maria Pereira da Silva, Ana Maria Girotti SPERANDIO · Editora Científica Digital eBooks · Global
This article aims to reflect on the generosity of the plant kingdom, which provides solutions to various socio-environmental problems through agriculture, health, and the environment. Plants ensure food supply through healthy agriculture (organic, agroecological, biodynamic, urban agriculture), the use of medicinal plants (phytotherapy in public health), and urban greening and reforestation (carbon sequestration, air depollution, and increased water quantity). These aspects converge on the common goal of ensuring quality of life and collective health for people amidst the turmoil of cities.
HealthClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceChapter 7 Urban agriculture and water management circular solutions for urban landscapes
2025Robert C. Brears · · Global
This chapter examines urban agriculture's role in circular urban ecosystems, highlighting its contributions to food security, urban heat island reduction, and improved water management. It discusses various types of urban agriculture and their benefits, such as enhancing green spaces and fostering community building, and explores its integration into the circular economy. The chapter also covers closed-loop water systems and waste-to-resource initiatives, positioning urban agriculture as a nature-based solution that enhances urban resilience and sustainability.
Climate changeCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleHorta Escolar Sustentável: um espaço não formal para consolidação e aprofundamento de saberes relativos ao letramento e alfabetização científica
2025Luciene Lima · Revista Brasileira de Educação Ambiental (RevBEA) · Global
This article describes the implementation of a prototype sustainable school garden as a non-formal learning space. The garden enriched students' comprehensive education and contributed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly concerning responsible consumption. This approach integrated theoretical and practical knowledge, fostering meaningful learning and the development of cognitive and social skills.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeLiving labs of agriculture in innovation districts
2025Laura Martins de Carvalho, Zilma Borges, Janaina Mitsue Kimpara · PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção · Global
This case study analyzed two agricultural living labs, VivAgriLab in France and AgroLab Uniandes in Colombia, to understand their adaptation possibilities for Brazilian university campuses. VivAgriLab effectively integrates civil society with academic research for ecological and food transitions. AgroLab Uniandes facilitates knowledge integration and high-tech solutions, but raises concerns about accessibility and scalability for small-scale farmers, potentially widening the gap between advanced and traditional practices.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyClimate changeSustainable Foods and Consumption
2025Songül Kesen, Eda Elgin Kılıç · Özgür Yayınları eBooks · Global
Sustainable food is a concept integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions to ensure food system sustainability. It aims to reduce environmental impacts, ensure food security, and promote healthy nutrition, often associated with plant-based diets. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) models have potential to strengthen local food systems and environmental sustainability by encouraging local community participation in agricultural production.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsEstimating Urbanization’s Impact on Soil Erosion: A Global Comparative Analysis and Case Study of Phoenix, USA
2025Ara Jeong, Dylan S. Connor, Ronald I. Dorn, Yeong Bae Seong · Land · Global
This study modeled the impact of urbanization on soil erosion across global cities using modern erosion data and cosmogenic nuclide 10Be analysis. It found that urbanization accelerated soil erosion by approximately 7–19 times in environments with mean annual precipitation below 1500 mm, and by 23–72 times in wetter urban centers. A century-long expansion of Phoenix, USA, accelerated soil erosion by about 12 times, supporting the urban cycle of soil erosion theory.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeUrban–rural linkagePotential of Rooftop and Vertical Gardens in Promoting Urban Plant Diversity and Ecosystem Services
2025Drakhshanda Saeed, Areena Sohail, Mahnoor Munir, Khush Bakht · Physical Education Health and Social Sciences · Global
This study qualitatively reviewed 15 peer-reviewed studies published from 2015 to 2025 to evaluate the potential of rooftop and vertical gardens in providing ecosystem services and promoting urban plant diversity. Rooftop gardens primarily support pollinators, stormwater retention, thermal regulation, and spontaneous colonizers, fostering horizontal habitat connectivity. Vertical gardens, despite fewer species, provide essential vertical stratification, shade micro-niches, and air filtration, enhancing multi-dimensional habitat diversity. Design and management factors were found to strongly influence ecological outcomes.
BiodiversityPollinatorsClimate changeOrganic cycleThe Universal Solvent: Dissolving and Solving for the Conservation of Water
2025Christopher Dignam, Jay Ramadan · EDUTECH RESEARCH · Global
This study examines the fundamental properties of water, analyzes socio-cultural factors affecting freshwater demand, and highlights advancements in water conservation. It suggests that water-focused content, including aquaponics and urban agriculture, can form a basis for interdisciplinary STEM education. The study concludes with recommendations for sustainable water management and STEM program development.
Food educationClimate changeInside and over urban buildings: will urban agriculture spark the next urban design revolution?
2025RENÉ DAVIDS · Cogent Arts and Humanities · Global
This paper argues for creating a connected network of farms within and on top of existing urban buildings to address increasing food demand and limited land resources. It highlights urban farming's benefits, including enhanced food security, public health, reduced transportation pollution, urban heat island mitigation, improved water retention, and biodiversity fostering. The paper notes that current research on urban agriculture's impact on city design is insufficient, and proposes this approach based on an examination of historical and contemporary urban projects.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeBiodiversityPolicyEvaluating the role of green infrastructure in mitigating Urban Environmental and Health Challenges
2025Anuradha S. Bodhe, Sandip N. Ajmire · International Journal Of Recent Advances in Engineering & Technology · Global
This paper investigates the impact of green infrastructure on community health, focusing on the benefits derived from urban nature. As urbanization intensifies, the integration of green spaces such as parks, greenways, and community gardens has become increasingly important for promoting public health. This study examines how these natural environments contribute to physical health by encouraging active lifestyles, improving air quality, and reducing heat-related illnesses. Additionally, the mental health benefits of green infrastructure are explored through its role in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
CommunityHealthClimate changePolicyEnhancing food resilience in the age of geoeconomics by applying biomimetic principles in urban agriculture
2025Alex Toth · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · Global
This paper argues that adopting urban agroecological strategies rooted in biomimicry can significantly enhance resilience to geoeconomic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and environmental shocks. Urban agroecology is presented as a scalable and context-sensitive pillar for building more resilient and self-sustaining food systems. The paper explores how a biomimetic approach to urban agriculture can serve as a strategic mechanism for food security, particularly in urbanized and geopolitically sensitive regions.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeBiodiversityOrganic cycleGrowing sustainability: Analysis of socioecological drivers of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) under multiple framework assessments. A review
2025Jairo Guzman-Molina, Ramoudane Orou Sannou, Serena Caucci · Journal of Urban Management · Global
This review explores the socioecological drivers and challenges of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) using multiple framework assessments: sustainability, resilience, cultural ecosystem services, and Nexus, following PRISMA guidelines. Global case studies demonstrated practical UPA applications, and a SWOT analysis categorized indicators from the four frameworks. Findings underscored the vital role of advanced technology, knowledge sharing, and resource management in UPA's performance, and that UPA enhances education, urban aesthetics, and health. Challenges included a lack of materials, disempowerment, inadequate institutional support, and resource mismanagement leading to food contamination in cases like Kampala.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityPlanung für Ernährung in unsicheren Zeiten
2025Julija Bakunowitsch, Jost Buscher · RaumPlanung · Global
Global crises increasingly threaten the seemingly secure food supply of cities. Urban agriculture is therefore gaining focus as a potential contribution to resilient food systems.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyThe FoodACT intervention TIDiR Checklist.
2025Anna Stage (17743305), Marie Caroline Vermund (11075551), Mads Bølling (6661577), Camilla Roed Otte (21175813), Alberte Laura Oest Müllertz (21175816), Peter Bentsen (3527732), Glen Nielsen (10468844), Peter Elsborg (8894495) · Figshare · Denmark
The FoodACT study aims to investigate how school gardens affect children's food literacy, climate change literacy, school motivation, and physical activity across six school garden locations in Region Zealand and Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark. This multimethod, quasi-experimental inquiry into an existing Danish school garden program, Gardens to Bellies (GtB), will collect data via surveys, accelerometry, and interviews from approximately 1600 fourth-grade pupils in an intervention group and 1600 in a control group. The intervention involves pupils growing, preparing, and cooking foods in the school garden during eight garden sessions.
Food educationHealthClimate change