Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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The Role of Urban Green Spaces in Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect: A Systematic Review from the Perspective of Types and Mechanisms
2025Haoqiu Lin, Xun Li · Sustainability · Global
This systematic review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on various forms of green infrastructure and their mechanisms for mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects, and the function of urban green spaces (UGS) in reducing the impact of UHI. Important mechanisms, including shade, evapotranspiration, albedo change, and ventilation, were investigated in connection with urban parks, green roofs, street trees, vertical greenery systems, and community gardens. The findings show that green areas, including parks, green roofs, and street trees, can lower air and surface temperatures by as much as 5 °C. However, the efficiency of cooling varies depending on plant density and spatial distribution.
CommunityClimate changeReimagining land use planning: mixed residential–agricultural land use as a pathway to sustaining agriculture in Ghanaian cities
2025Nurudeen Issifu, Owusu Amponsah, Daniel Kwame Blija, Stephen Appiah Takyi, Abdul Majeed Issah, Abdul-Wahid Alhassan · International Planning Studies · Ghana
This study assessed whether mixed residential-agricultural land use can sustain urban agriculture and if residential landowners in rapidly urbanizing Ghanaian cities are willing to allocate plot space to agriculture. Researchers surveyed 280 landowners across four peri-urban settlements in Kumasi and used geospatial data to estimate available residential space. Nearly four out of five landowners were willing to cede their backyards for micro-farming, with geospatial estimates identifying 75.65 hectares of available residential area across the settlements, equivalent to approximately 0.03 ha per plot (about 23% of an average 0.13 ha plot). These findings suggest the potential of backyard micro-farming as a strategy for sustaining urban agriculture.
PolicyPeri-urban agricultureCommunityINSTITUTIONAL INTERNAL SYNERGY: PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
2025Heru Purwandari, Arabella Faiza Mardhiyah Husni Putri · Journal of Social Science and Human Ecology · Global
This research investigated the correlation between KWT (women farmer groups) participation and the sustainability of the KRL Katulampa waste management program, which incorporates urban farming using processed waste. A census of all KWT Berkah members was conducted using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study found a correlation between KWT community participation and the program's sustainability, but noted that urban farming needs to be complemented by other activities to ensure significant economic benefits beyond social advantages.
CommunityWelfareOrganic cycleEconomicsHigh respiration rates induce net CO2 emissions in an urban allotment garden in Finland
2025Piaopiao Ke, Beñat Olascoaga, Pasi Kolari, Outi Tahvonen, Sami Haapanala, Tom Kokkonen, Leena Järvi, Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen · Urban forestry & urban greening · Finland
A year-round eddy covariance and soil chamber measurement in an urban allotment garden in southern Finland showed it functioned as a net CO₂ source (0.69 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹) despite 77% vegetation cover. High respiratory emissions (4.7 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹) exceeded photosynthetic uptake (4.0 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹), likely due to elevated soil organic carbon (13.4 ± 8.7%) and high soil C:N ratio from management amendments. These findings challenge assumptions about urban gardens as inherent carbon sinks and suggest carbon-smart management practices are needed.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeOrganic cycleCommunityEnhancing Youth Agricultural Literacy with Vertical Farming in Non-Formal Education Settings
2025Adhisty Puri Damayanti, Norbertus Citra Irawan, Natalia Deswita Fitriyani, Zainal Mustofa, Agustina Tri Suryaningsih, Dewi Permatasari · Journal of Community Capacity Empowerment · Global
A community service program at PKBM Cahaya Rejeki involved 20 students in hands-on workshops to build vertical gardens using recycled materials. The program aimed to improve urban youth's understanding of vertical agriculture in non-formal settings. A Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Test showed a statistically significant increase in students' agricultural knowledge, supported by field observations of increased enthusiasm and confidence.
Food educationCommunityDIYGrowing your own food in small urban spaces
2025Shanurasab K Nadaf, VR Yadahalli, Bebijan Nadaf · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global
This review explores the motivations and practical strategies for growing food in small urban spaces, addressing challenges like limited space and poor soil. It discusses techniques such as vertical gardening, container planting, hydroponics, and raised beds, along with crop selection and resource optimization. The article also examines challenges, success stories, and the role of technology in making urban gardening accessible.
DIYUrban–rural linkageHealthEconomicsCommunityClimate changeAGRICULTURA URBANA: CONSUMO E PRODUÇÃO RESPONSÁVEIS, ODS 12/AGENDA 2030
2025Maria de Nazareth Oliveira Maciel, Luann Yago Oliveira Maciel · Aracê. · Global
This descriptive review study examined whether urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of Agenda 2030 and generates social benefits for producers, analyzing articles published from 2019 to 2022 from Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The results showed that urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12, generating ten main social benefits, including improved quality of life, social inclusion, food security, and promotion of mental and physical health.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceTHE IMPACT OF SOCIAL SPACES IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: URBAN FARMING INTO A SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY
2025Chua Siu Ting, Hazreena Hussein · Journal of Surveying Construction & Property · Malaysia (Port Dickson)
This study explored residents' perceptions of social spaces in Port Dickson, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a mixed-method approach combining photographic documentation and a questionnaire survey. The majority of respondents experienced significant stress during the pandemic due to anxiety, job loss, and livelihood challenges, emphasizing the importance of effective space allocation and varied options within residential neighborhoods. These findings imply that strategically designed social spaces and zoning practices are key to developing self-sufficient communities in residential areas.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeWhat Works Outdoors? A Systematic Literature Review of Nature-Based Instruction in Science Education
2025Siti Nur Diyana Mahmud, Muhammad Hanif Sainorudin · International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · Global
This systematic literature review analyzed 58 empirical studies on nature-based instruction (NBI) in science education from 2021-2025, focusing on formal and school-linked learning settings. Most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with outcomes primarily in affective and cognitive domains. Recurring challenges included limited causal designs, short follow-up periods, and inconsistent implementation reporting.
Food educationCommunityRole of Urban Voids in Sustainable Planning
2025PC Trivedi, Shruti Walia Ar · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · Global
This research defines urban voids as idle, unused, or partly used urban lands that public agencies fail to utilize to their maximum capacity. It proposes that these urban voids can serve as valuable resources in sustainable planning by creating green infrastructure, fostering civic engagement, and enhancing biodiversity. Converting these spaces into parks or community gardens can encourage social interaction and improve urban living quality.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyUrban Agriculture as a Food Security Solution Through Green Economy Approach
2025Agustin Windianingsih, Wiwin Wiwin, Tanti Febrianti · Journal of Finance and Business Digital · Global
This research investigated the potential of urban agriculture to overcome food crises and impact food security. Using a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), the study found that people practicing urban farming are supported in terms of urban farming skills, food security, creation of green open spaces, entrepreneurial opportunities, fulfillment of nutritional needs, enjoyment of fresh crops, creation of community bonds, educational benefits, and awareness for mental health and the environment.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityHealthFood educationClimate changeRooftop Gardening and Its Contribution to Income Generation in Dhaka City
2025Sadika Dipannita, Md. Taj Uddin, Nanda Dulal Kundu, Syed Walik Akib · Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study evaluated the economic viability of rooftop gardening for income generation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, sampling 60 gardeners from various areas. It found rooftop vegetable gardening to be economically viable with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.32, though income from it was not substantial compared to total income. Significant factors affecting gross return included gardener age and costs of seeds, pesticides, and water, while challenges identified were low soil quality and limited equipment.
EconomicsCommunity111Chapter 6 Cultivating the Self, Tending Others: Wellbeing, Relationality, and Transformation in Community Gardens
2025Anna Sofia Salonen, Giovanna Paccillo, Lauren Strumos, Rebecca Banham · · Global
This chapter discusses the relationship between community gardens and wellbeing, viewing wellbeing as a cultural field. It explores how gardeners experience wellbeing through their gardening and what these experiences reveal about their lifestances. The analysis shows that gardening can contribute to collective wellbeing through transformative engagement with ethics and ontologies, and that community gardens can serve as "everyday utopias" for expressing critique and desire for change. It identifies both the possibilities and limits of community gardens in fostering holistic, relational, transformative approaches to wellbeing.
CommunityHealthUrbant landbruk og retten til byen: et veikart for utøvere
2025Arild Eriksen, Deni Ruggeri, Esben Slaatrem Titland · · Norway (Oslo)
This essay examines urban agriculture from the perspective of an architect and urban farmer/beekeeper practicing bottom-up, participatory design in Oslo. Critical dimensions of urban agriculture in public space include private and corporate claims on these landscapes, and its current aesthetics of impermanence are critiqued. The essay questions the notion that the joy and freedom urban agriculture brings to a community should be built upon and enriched by future development and policy.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyHealthBiodiversityRevisiting Urban Resilience within the New Urban Agenda
2025Talent Moyo, Chipo Hungwe, Faith Zengeni · · Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)
This chapter examines urban resilience within the New Urban Agenda (NUA) using three pillars—adaptive capacity, absorptive capacity, and transformative capacity—in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, urban resilience has been promoted through urban agriculture programs and efforts to regulate and capacitate informal economic activities. The qualitative case study argues that urban resilience primarily benefits individual urban citizens through livelihood creation, expanded livelihood portfolios, skills and knowledge development, meeting basic needs, and community support.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareIdentifying the drivers influencing on the development of a nature- oriented urban landscape with an emphasis on urban agriculture (Case study: Tabriz metropolis)
2025Roghayyeh Khabbazi · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Iran (Tabriz)
This mixed-method study aimed to identify drivers influencing the development of a nature-oriented urban landscape with an emphasis on urban agriculture in Tabriz metropolis, Iran. Data analysis used the partial least squares model in Smart-pls software and content analysis. Findings showed that management, laws and regulations, economic, social, physical, and design components, respectively, had the greatest impact on nature-oriented urban landscape development with urban agriculture. Key sub-components included developing a strategic plan, forming partnerships, developing binding laws to prevent the destruction of urban garden lands, reviewing agricultural laws to support urban agriculture, and using modern agricultural equipment.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsCommunityAgricultural Crop Production in the Urban Community: Its Opportunities and Challenges
2025Ermar A. Amistas, Joedar P. Satojito, Erly M. Martir · International Journal of Science and Management Studies (IJSMS) · Philippines
This quantitative study examined opportunities and challenges in agricultural crop production within two urban school communities in the Philippines (Jalandoni Memorial National High School and Iloilo City National High School) during the 2024-2025 school year, involving 352 Grade 10 students. Students reported practical skills, improved food access, environmental awareness, and community engagement as opportunities in urban gardening, but cited limited space, inadequate skills, resource gaps, and weak support systems as challenges. No statistical relationship was found between opportunities and challenges.
Food educationCommunityHealthHow Gardening Can Work towards Combatting the Biodiversity Crisis
2025Tamás Lakatos, Patrícia Andresz-Dérer, Dorota Kotowska, Péter Batáry · · Global
This chapter reviews the role of urban gardens, such as allotments, community gardens, and urban farms, in biodiversity conservation by highlighting a few case studies globally. Urban gardening practices may contribute to combatting the global biodiversity crisis through habitat provision for various plant and animal species in a concrete matrix. Depending on the taxon, these urban refuges can harbour more species than other urban green spaces like vacant lots, parks, remnants of natural habitats, and even exurban habitats.
BiodiversityCommunityTransitioning from Social Innovation to Public Policy: Can Bangladesh Integrate Urban Rooftop Farming Policies into Governance by Examining Global Practices?
2025Md. Ashikuzzaman, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, Atiq Zaman, Yongze Song · Sustainability · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
This study explored the connection between organizational rational choice in urban rooftop farm (URF) policy development and social innovation, using a literature review and a case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Despite the rising popularity of URFs in Dhaka, existing policies and strategies were found to lack clarity and governing mechanisms are absent. The findings suggest that a participatory and co-productive approach, involving community members, local governments, and NGOs, is optimal for URF policy formulation and successful governance.
Governance failurePolicyCommunityReconstruction and Revitalization of the Allotment Gardens Network in Hungary
2025Tibor Farkas, Róbert Barna, Gábor Koncz · European Countryside · Hungary
Allotment gardens in Hungary play a significant role in agriculture, society, environmental preservation, household economy, and sustainable development. The Hungarian government's allotment garden development program in 2018, 2019, and 2021 received 540 applications, and this study assessed their current status, characteristics, results, impacts, and future needs through an online questionnaire administered in 148 settlements. The most important future goal for applicants was found to be the development of various infrastructures, such as roads and ditches, and the creation of public utilities, including electricity and water supply.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeFrom knowledge to action: understanding coordination practices in community-led urban sustainability projects
2025Néstor Nova, Leidy Johana Palma Huertas, Nestor Nova · Open MIND · Colombia (Bogotá)
This study explores how community-based initiatives coordinate knowledge and collective action in urban agriculture and organic waste management in Bogotá, Colombia.
CommunityOrganic cycleAnalisis Insight Instagram sebagai Media Pemberdayaan Digital pada Komunitas Pertanian Perkotaan
2025Fadhil Ahla Firdaus, Siti Nurlaela, Mastur Mastur · Journal of Agribusiness Science and Rural Development · Global
This qualitative descriptive study analyzed Instagram insights for the @great.andgreen account from November 20, 2023, to April 28, 2025, to understand its role in digital empowerment for urban farming communities. The account showed positive growth with 1,335 followers, 130,413 impressions, and 18,991 reach, primarily among 18-24 year olds. Content interaction reached 2,215, indicating potential for expanding influence beyond main followers.
Digital agricultureCommunitySafety in a person-centred, garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia
2025Jenny Clarke, A Crosbie, K Green · International Journal of Art Therapy · Global
This practice paper describes an ongoing, weekly garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia, facilitated in a community garden. Using a person-centred approach, the facilitators explored factors contributing to psychological safety, drawing on client feedback, artwork, and observations. Findings indicated that the non-clinical garden setting provided calming effects, inspiration, and focus, while the person-centred approach fostered expression, communication, and feelings of value and success, despite some challenges inherent to the outdoor environment.
CommunityHealthElderlyMotivene for kommunal politikk for urbant landbruk: erfaringer fra Norges største byområder
2025Inger‐Lise Saglie · · Norway
This chapter investigates the motivations for urban agriculture policies in three Norwegian cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Five categories of motivations were identified: urban "green" development (environmental friendliness, biodiversity), food production and alternative food systems (linking to peri-urban agriculture), provision of social meeting places and community building, municipal welfare services (work training, integration, health promotion), and active citizenship and co-creation of city development. While motivations were similar across cities, their emphasis varied.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityWelfarePlanning and evaluation of rooftop garden designs: A survey-based assessment study at faculty of Agriculture
2025Ahmed Abdelnaby, A. Meawad, A. Gendy, M. Abdelkader · Ornamental Horticulture · Egypt
This study, conducted in 2022-2023 at Zagazig University, Egypt, proposed and evaluated three rooftop garden designs for a college campus using 3D software, with assessments from specialists and users. Results indicated that 100% of specialists and 91.7% of users preferred flowering herbaceous plants, while trees and palms were preferred by 60% of specialists and 48.6% of users. Overall satisfaction with proposed designs for human senses ranged from 69.4% to 75.7%, and agreement on suitable recreational areas ranged from 65.8% to 78.4% among users.
DIYCommunity