Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3086 results(7 / 124)
Alternative to what? Reassessing Northern AFNs through a Southern Lens
2026Carla Galán-Guevara, Francesca Forno · Agriculture and Human Values · Italy (Trentino)
This qualitative study in Trentino, northern Italy, examined how alterity is conceptualized and enacted across nine Alternative Food Network (AFN) initiatives, using a decolonial analytical lens. Findings indicate that AFNs create meaningful opportunities for collective organization, ecological learning, participatory governance, and solidarity-based exchange, yet are simultaneously shaped and constrained by regulatory frameworks, certification regimes, economic pressures, and uneven organizational capacities. The study interprets AFNs in the Global North as spaces where partial openings and socio-ecological experimentation coexist with broader structures of coloniality, capitalist market relations, and institutional constraint.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsUrban Agriculture and Smart Cities: The Integration of Controlled Environment Agriculture, Community Gardens, and Public Health Policies
2026Evelyn Seilhe Guerreiro, Márcio Luis Valença Araújo, Adilson Oliveira de Almirante, Eduardo Oliveira Teles, Aloísio Santos Nascimento Filho, Hugo Saba Pereira Cardoso · Journal of Bioengineering, Technologies and Health · Brazil
This study analyzed the integration of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), community gardens, and public health policies, using case studies from Brazilian cities such as Salvador, Recife, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. CEA contributes to enhanced productivity in small spaces with reduced water and input consumption, while community gardens strengthen social cohesion, mental health, and local food supply. However, challenges remain regarding high implementation costs, regulatory gaps, and lack of institutional support.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeToward climate-smart urban agriculture in Palembang: A systematic review on strategies, trade-offs, and synergies
2026Strayker Ali Muda, Heripan Heripan, Fitra Gustiar · Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology) · Indonesia (Palembang)
This systematic review examined strategies, trade-offs, and synergies of climate-smart urban agriculture relevant to Palembang City, Indonesia. A total of 400 records were identified from Google Scholar and Scopus, with 352 unique records screened. While urban agriculture showed five key contributions, including strengthening food security, several critical trade-offs were identified, such as land scarcity, energy and water requirements, soil contamination risks, technological costs, and policy fragmentation. The review emphasizes that urban agriculture should be part of a broader transformation of urban food systems, not a stand-alone solution.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyEconomicsBiodiversity Monitoring in Food Forests
2026Jana Marion Böhme · PubData · Europe
This study investigated the current state and professionality of biodiversity monitoring in food forest projects and influencing social-ecological factors through an online survey and interviews with German and Dutch experts. It found heterogeneous characteristics and professionality levels in monitoring activities, primarily due to context factors like actors, governance systems, and socio-economic settings. The professionality of monitoring depended on volunteer and expert availability and funding, indicating a lack of integrated, standardized, and systematic monitoring concepts and institutionalization.
Governance failureBiodiversityCommunityPolicyEconomicsDESAFIOS E POTENCIALIDADES DA AGRICULTURA URBANA PARA A SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR NA RMB
2026Maria de Nazareth Oliveira Maciel, Daniel Pereira Pinheiro, Luann Yago Oliveira Maciel · Veredas do Direito Direito Ambiental e Desenvolvimento Sustentável · Brazil
This study analyzed the contributions and challenges of urban agriculture for food security in three municipalities of the Belém Metropolitan Region, Brazil. Using multivariate factor analysis with 120 producers from November 2023 to February 2024, findings indicated urban agriculture ensures food security and reduces food scarcity concerns. However, the activity lacks public policy incentives for seed acquisition and land titling, hindering its advancement.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsWelfareClimate changeEmpowering Communities Through Hydroponic Urban Farming: Skill Development, Business Opportunities, and Green Village Implementation
2026Riana Magdalena Silitonga, Stefani Prima Dias Kristiana, Nova Eka Budiyanta · Jurnal Pengabdian UNDIKMA · Indonesia (Tangerang)
This community service program aimed to enhance the capacity of the Sampora Village community in Tangerang, Indonesia, in developing sustainable urban farming through hydroponic systems. Educational counseling, hands-on training in hydroponic techniques, and technical guidance were employed, with data analyzed using a descriptive approach combining quantitative analysis of pre-test and post-test results. Participants showed significant improvements in competencies, including increased understanding of hydroponic systems from 20% to 85%, installation skills from 15% to 80%, nutrient management knowledge from 10% to 78%, and maintenance skills from 12% to 82%.
CommunityFood educationEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureMapeamento de legislações de Agricultura Urbana e Periurbana no Brasil
2026Elisa Carvalho Lauer, Jaqueline Lima Liskoski, Kelliane Da Consolação Fuscaldi · Revista Campo-Território · Brazil
This study mapped and analyzed urban and peri-urban agriculture (AUP) legislation across municipal, state, and federal levels in Brazil, identifying 217 municipal laws in 113 municipalities, 33 state laws, and federal frameworks. The research systematized normative content into twelve thematic categories, showing AUP's integration into food security, urban sustainability, and income generation agendas. While a qualitatively consistent normative basis exists, gaps persist regarding conceptual definition, area guarantees, water access, financing, and credit. It is necessary to expand and harmonize regulations across all three spheres to consolidate AUP as a structural strategy for sustainable cities.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsThe various face(t)s of urban agriculture: evidence from secondary towns in Ethiopia
2026Amare Molla Dinku, Goedele Van den Broeck · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Ethiopia
This qualitative study explored the technical, institutional, and commercial aspects of urban agriculture (UA) in two Ethiopian secondary towns, Dessie and Kombolcha, through 68 key informant interviews and 11 focus group discussions. It found that nearly 90% of local leafy vegetables are sourced via UA, but insecure land rights, limited policy support, and informal trading systems hinder its impact. Informal markets also cause post-harvest losses, disproportionately affecting women.
Governance failureCommunityPeri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsRisk sharing or market shares? Mapping the organisational governance spectrum of community supported agriculture globally
2026Jocelyn Parot, Stefan Wahlen, Andreas Gattinger, Philipp Weckenbrock · Journal of Rural Studies · Global
This article maps and compares the organizational governance of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) globally, based on the first global survey of CSA partnerships. The study identifies three main types of CSA governance: community-governed farms, core group-governed partnerships, and producer-governed partnerships, demonstrating that the roles and commitment levels of consumers vary among these types. It also develops a decision-tree approach for consistent classification and describes the prevalence of governance types within and across national CSA movements.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsBelo Horizonte’s Right-to-Food Model
2026Hoyoon Jung · The International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic Social and Cultural Context · Brazil (Belo Horizonte)
This study analyzes Belo Horizonte, Brazil's right-to-food model, which has reduced hunger and promoted social equity through integrated food policies like subsidized food programs and urban agriculture. Despite its successes, the model faces challenges in policy sustainability, financial constraints, and political continuity, and the study notes limitations including reliance on secondary data.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyHealthEconomicsCultivate: A Configurable AI Agent for Scaling Agricultural Extension Services in Ghana
2026Kelvin Kekeli Kobla Ahiakpor, David Ebo Adjepon‐Yamoah · DMPedia Lecture Notes in Computer Science & Engineering · Ghana
This paper presents Cultivate, an AgroAgent-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform designed to scale agricultural extension services in Ghana by allowing agronomists to deploy configurable AI agents. A pilot study with one agronomist and one farmer from Farmitecture, a Ghana-based urban farming startup, validated the system. The agronomist configured an agent in under ten minutes and estimated it could handle 50-60% of queries, while the farmer found responses specific and grounded. The pilot demonstrated the technical feasibility and positive reception of decentralized, agronomist-trained AI agents, noting limitations such as a small pilot sample and lack of WhatsApp integration.
Digital agricultureEconomicsPolicyA City Nourished by Its Suburbs
2026Gang Wang · Agricultural History · China (Shanghai)
This historical analysis of Shanghai's vegetable supply system examines the limitations of peri-urban agriculture. In the early 1950s, Shanghai relied on distant rural areas for vegetables, shifting to suburban production in 1958 after rural sources were cut off. Efforts to sustain this suburban-centric system faced challenges, and government attempts to phase out the planned economy in the 1980s had limited effect. By the early 1990s, the suburban-centric system was abandoned, leading to a return to nonlocal vegetable predominance.
Limited or null effectPeri-urban agricultureUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsDeterminants of Urban Farmers’ Acceptance of Faecal Sludge Compost in Urban Agriculture: Evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2026Isabela Thomas Mkude · TANZANIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the utilization of faecal sludge derived compost (FSDC) by urban farmers remains limited due to farmers' prejudice and hesitance. This study investigated factors influencing FSDC acceptance through a cross-sectional survey of 76 urban farmers. Results indicated that garden location in communal areas, income generation as the primary farming purpose, and accessibility of soil inputs were significantly associated with FSDC acceptance. Farmers' awareness and experience also played important roles.
Limited or null effectCompostOrganic cycleCommunityEconomicsCultivar saberes na EJA: uma revisão sistemática sobre educação, trabalho e sustentabilidade
2026Manoel Hélio Sousa Santos, Bruno Matos de Farias · RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber · Global
This systematic qualitative literature review, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, analyzed 20 documents to understand how recent academic production articulates education, work, and sustainability within Youth and Adult Education (EJA), focusing on school gardens. The literature recognizes gardens as a social technology that integrates ecological knowledge, cooperative practices, autonomy-building, and income generation, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable contexts. Gardens are concluded to be a powerful pedagogical device for EJA, contributing to critical environmental education, popular economy, and emancipatory practices.
Food educationWelfareCommunityEconomicsShifting to urban agriculture? Exploration of Malaysian adoption of hydroponic
2026Lovina Yogarajan, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Abdullah Al Mamun, Mohd Helmi Ali · Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies · Malaysia
An online survey of 250 urban residents across various regions of Malaysia investigated factors influencing the adoption of hydroponic farming. Findings indicate that attitude, hydroponic compatibility, and perceived trust significantly influence adoption intentions, and intention strongly influences actual adoption. However, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence did not significantly impact adoption intentions.
Digital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsVertical farming as a resource nexus solution for sustainable agriculture
2026Jonas Sohn, Juliane Dziumla, Atiqah Fairuz Salleh, George Xydis · Sustainability Nexus Forum · Global
This study evaluated vertical farming (VF) through the resource nexus (RN) lens, emphasizing the interdependencies among energy, water, land, and materials. While VF offers advantages such as space efficiency, water conservation, and climate resilience, it was found to entail high energy demands, material dependencies, and economic feasibility challenges. An overview of these synergies and constraints helps identify mitigation strategies like circular water systems and hybrid renewable energy solutions.
Economic viabilityEconomicsClimate changePolicyUrban–rural linkageDegradation Interest Cultivation Grapes in the Village Boyaoge: Review Architectural In Context Agriculture Urban
2026Agrian Rizki Kuswanto, Zaenal Sirajuddin, Ahda Mulyati · Technium Social Sciences Journal · Indonesia
This study analyzed the degradation of interest in grape cultivation in Boyaoge Village, Indonesia, from the perspective of architecture and urban agriculture. Using field observations, interviews with local farmers, and spatial analysis, the findings indicated that the main causes were the shift in land use from agriculture to settlements, a lack of infrastructure support such as efficient irrigation systems and market accessibility, and non-agricultural-friendly spatial designs including limited green open spaces and limited use of agricultural technology. These factors contribute to the decline in grape cultivation interest.
Governance failureEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageThe role of urban farming in enhancing food security in Malaysia: A systematic review
2026Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop, Zainal Abidin Mohamed · IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science · Malaysia
This systematic review analyzed 46 studies published between 2010 and 2025 to assess the role of urban farming in enhancing food security in Malaysia. Findings indicate that urban farming positively impacts food accessibility, availability, and affordability, while also promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic inclusion. However, challenges such as limited space, regulatory hurdles, and public awareness gaps hinder its widespread adoption.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityURBANE:One Health approaches to support agroecological transformation of peri-urban farming; Deliverable D8.3, Report on the co-creation of sustainable business models and initial results of their implementation
2026M.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0118-4484 Simataa, R.I.; id_orcid 0009-0004-4345-5467 Primus, H.; id_orcid 0000-0002-0447-5914 Romijn, Rianne Valkenburg, J.C.C.M.; id_orcid 0000-0003-1190-6417 Huijben · TU/e Research Portal · Benin
Deliverable D8.3 of the URBANE project designed a co-creation workshop methodology for agroecological business models with the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC) and Eindhoven University of Technology. This methodology was applied in a multi-actor workshop in Benin to co-design sustainable innovation System Business Models (SysBMs) for local agrifood contexts. The main outcome is a workshop design template, including instructive videos, documented in a facilitator's handbook.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityA systematic review of community gardens and their role in urban food security and resilience
2025Huq F.F., Deacon L. · Discover Sustainability (Springer), 6:696 · Global
A systematic review of 37 studies examining how community gardens affect food access, urban resilience, and community well-being, with research interest peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies inequitable access and weak policy integration as key barriers and calls for inclusive, interdisciplinary, long-term planning.
CommunityFood lossPolicyHealthEconomicsFrom seed to profit: a comparative economic study of two Italian vertical farms
2025Amici A. S., Appicciutoli D., Bentivoglio D., Staffolani G., Chiaraluce G., Mogetta M., Finco A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 9:1584778 · Italy
Assesses the profitability of two microgreen-producing vertical farms in northern Italy using semi-structured interviews, applying operational margin and cost-revenue ratios to show these systems are economically profitable under current Italian conditions.
EconomicsPerceived Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement: Organizational Identification and Corporate Volunteering Climate
2025Zuo J., Huang L., Minami C. · Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management · Japan
Using social identity theory and data from 226 Japanese employees, shows that perceived CSR boosts job and organizational engagement through organizational identification, moderated by the corporate volunteering climate.
WelfareCommunityEconomicsCommunity-supported agriculture and allotment gardens as collective forms of food production – Investigating the effect of social capital on perceived benefits
2025Neumann V., Schmid B., El Benni N., Finger R. · Land Use Policy · Switzerland
Survey of 500 members of community-supported agriculture and allotment gardens in Switzerland showing social capital has a significantly positive effect on members' perceived benefits, highlighting the social value of collective urban food production.
CommunityEconomicsWelfareThe roles of urban agriculture to household food security: a case study in Kirkos sub-city, Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia
2025Alene F.D., Aga M.A. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 9:1444320 · Ethiopia
This case study in Addis Ababa's Kirkos sub-city examines urban agriculture's role in household food security, finding 48.2% of respondents food secure and about a third reporting urban agriculture helped meet their daily food needs.
WelfareEconomics都市と地域をつなぐ「BRANZ オーナーズファーム」開始
2025東急不動産株式会社, 株式会社マイファーム · 東急不動産 プレスリリース資料 · Japan
Tokyu Fudosan launches an agriculture experience project for Branz owners in Higashimatsuyama using solar-sharing farmland, an official developer-led rental-garden initiative linking resident food education, exchange, and regional revitalization.
CommunityEconomicsHealth