Research & reports

De Ren Fu, Yao Zhi Huang · Advanced materials research · China (Taihu Lake)

Urban agricultural landscape is a composite functional system combining modern agriculture, rural culture, tourism and leisure, environmental education, and farming experience, dependent on agricultural production. With urban and rural development, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, metropolitan agricultural landscapes face significant impacts and challenges. This paper analyzes the relationship between rural and urban development and metropolitan agricultural landscapes, then proposes a strategy for the metropolitan agricultural landscape in Taihu Lake.

Nola-Kate Seymoar, Elizabeth Ballantyne, Craig J. Pearson · Urban agriculture · Asia

This paper describes the objectives, process, and outcomes of three urban greening projects in low-income communities in Bangkok, Thailand, and Badulla, Matale, Moratuwa, and Matara, Sri Lanka. These projects developed and validated a "Four-Directional Framework" for sustainable community development using participatory action research. Urban greening, incorporating urban agriculture, was found to be an effective tool for improving relationships between local authorities and residents and for building a foundation for sustainable development initiatives.

박은지, 이연숙, 안창헌 · 한국생태환경건축학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea

This study investigated the planning process of resident-participatory community gardens in South Korea and confirmed their effects. A process was developed to facilitate the embodiment, proposition, and discussion of community garden planning ideas based on local demands. This process was utilized in resident workshops for actual community garden planning, and its effects on residents' views and planning changes were confirmed.

Priyanie Amerasinghe, Chenna Basappa Gangappa Yadava, Wijenayake, K.M.A., Suleman, K.B. · CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) · Asia

This is the final report for the RUAF-FSTT Programme for the South and Southeast Asia Region, conducted from 2009 to June 2011 in Magadi, India, and Gampaha, Sri Lanka. The program aimed to strengthen farmer organizations and their marketing capacities in urban/periurban settings, and to develop sustainable urban farming systems. Core activities focused on operationalizing a City Strategy Agenda and an innovation project targeting low-income urban producers.

박은지, 이연숙, 안창헌 · · United States, South Korea

This study aimed to identify the social and economic effects of community gardens by analyzing detailed cases in the U.S. based on social capital theory. In the U.S., community gardens are utilized for plant cultivation and horticulture, as well as complex activities like education, play, leisure, and rest, creating sustainable community values. While Korean community gardens often operate as urban farms or parks, the study suggests that managing them with spatial characteristics and programs that foster communities by gathering residents is desirable for community contribution and sustainability.

XU Mao-fei · · China (Huicheng District)

The key to the scientific development of Huicheng agricultural economic circle is to innovate the modern agricultural development mode characterized by urban agriculture, tourism agriculture, and ecological agriculture, to accelerate the transformation of agriculture from traditional to modern. This mode calls for promoting industrialized operation of agriculture, advancing standardized production, and fostering diversified development of agriculture.

Lan Bin · Computer Knowledge and Technology · China (Beijing)

This paper discusses the development of an urban higher education system for agriculture in Beijing, driven by the need for talent, technology, and intellectual support. It emphasizes that information management is crucial throughout agricultural production, from resource optimization to digitization and precision farming. The construction of urban agricultural information service technology requires professionals with strong agricultural knowledge and expertise in production, operation, and management.

박은하, 오충현 · · South Korea (Seoul)

A 2011 study conducted in the Seoul metropolitan area of South Korea analyzed the participation status and demands regarding urban agriculture. The research involved interviews with urban agriculture site operators and participants from June to July 2011, and a survey of 153 general citizens who participated in a pocket garden event on September 3, 2011. The survey covered urban agriculture awareness, participation status, attitudes towards eco-friendly agriculture, produce safety, and activation measures.

C. Hayavadana Rao · Anhui nongye kexue · China (Beijing)

This paper analyzes urban agriculture in Beijing, China, arguing that its development should be market-based to meet consumer demands for quality, safety, fresh products, and ecological environment. Through fieldwork, the study explores factors influencing demand for urban agricultural products and offers suggestions for promotion.

崔伟 · 山东省农业管理干部学院学报 · China (Weifang City)

This paper discusses urban agriculture in Hanting District, Weifang City, China, defining it as modern agriculture utilizing urban technology and equipment for production, services, and consumption. The district leveraged its suburban location and rich agricultural resources to develop urban agriculture, aiming to serve the city, enrich farmers, and promote urban-rural integration. This approach involved accelerating agricultural transformation and structural adjustment, thereby enriching the content of agricultural development.

권용덕, 윤인국 · 정책포커스 · South Korea

A study investigated the status of eco-friendly agriculture in Gyeongnam, South Korea, from 2009 to 2010. Gyeongnam's eco-friendly production base was low at 6.2% of the national total (12,043ha), with a high proportion of low-pesticide produce (62.9%). Direct sales were prevalent, but wholesale distribution was very low at 3.0% of total transactions, and exports were concentrated in processed foods and heavily reliant on the Japanese market. The study identified issues such as weakened producer bargaining power, slow development of local food systems due to policy gaps, inadequate wholesale distribution, and an export structure that does not significantly benefit farmers, and proposed revitalization strategies.

HE Hui-li · Ecological Economy · China (Beijing)

This article proposes the "ecology of agricultural labor" as a new alternative characterized by intermediate technology, mass production, local consumption, and recycling agriculture. It illustrates this concept with two examples: natural farming by Jinlei in Zaoqiang County, Hebei Province, and the Little Donkey Citizen Farm in Beijing, China. The study suggests that this approach forms the basis for sustainable development by fostering symbiotic relationships between humans, society, and nature.

丁胜洪, 杨瑜娴 · 华中农业大学学报：社会科学版 · China (Wuhan)

This study examined farmers' professional cooperatives in Wuhan, a central city in China's central region, concluding that they are effective organizations for undertaking modern agricultural scale operations. Farmers' professional cooperatives are new rural economic organizations spontaneously formed by farmers to adapt to new rural and agricultural development situations, aiming to become an important industrial organizational foundation for modern urban agriculture and rural areas.

Hongyuan Li · Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation · China (Tianjin)

An investigation of wild flowers in urban areas of Tianjin City was conducted from 2005 to 2010. The study examined the ecological habits, life forms, and distribution of each species, identifying six distinct distribution patterns: single, linear, scattered, assembled, radial, and climbing. Following an analysis of these patterns' characteristics, the potential use of these wild flowers in urban gardening was discussed.

Li Min · Anhui nongye kexue · China

A new mode of city agricultural product distribution system was constructed based on an introduction to the general form of the Chinese urban agricultural product distribution system and considering successful experiences in China and abroad.

胡春胜, 曾江海, 王绍仁 · Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni · China (Luancheng)

This article reviews the 30-year demonstration practices and achievements of the Luancheng Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Luancheng County, Hebei Province. Since the early 1980s, the station has pioneered research and demonstration of new technologies like facility agriculture and urban agriculture models centered on information technology in the early 21st century. Over 30 years, the station has actively explored agricultural modernization pathways and key supporting technologies, promoting regional and national agricultural modernization.

Bei Zhang · Technoeconomics & Management Research · China (Guangzhou)

This study established a system dynamics model for the sustainable development system of urban agritourism by analyzing its causal loop diagram and stock and flow diagram. Based on this system dynamic modeling and simulation, an optimal mode for the sustainable development of urban agritourism in Conghua District of Guangzhou City was proposed. The research provided a better theoretical basis and response options for the sustainable development of urban agritourism to relevant decision makers.

Hyuck-Soo Kim, Young‐Nam Kim, Jin‐Won Kim, Kye-Hoon Kim · 한국토양비료학회지 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study investigated the properties and total and phytoavailable contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) in 21 urban agricultural soils in Seoul, South Korea. The total heavy metal concentrations in the examined urban agricultural soils were found to be lower than the warning levels for area 1 according to the Soil Environmental Conservation Act of Korea. Phytoavailable-Cu, -Pb, and -Zn concentrations were also reported as 0.02-0.28, N.D-0.09, and 0.01-0.43 mg/kg, respectively.

YU Ju-sheng · Shanghai nongye xuebao · China (Shanghai)

This paper analyzes the resource and environmental obstacles in developing environment-friendly and resource-saving urban agriculture in Shanghai, based on its inherent requirements. It puts forward basic paths, policies, and proposals for constructing this type of agriculture in Shanghai.

허주녕, 김태곤 · 한국유기농업학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea

This study evaluated citizens' willingness-to-pay for the maintenance fund of urban agriculture's multi-functions in South Korea. The analysis categorized respondents into vegetable garden users, general consumers, and all respondents. The estimated values for multi-functionality were KRW 20,367 per household for general consumers, KRW 22,174 for urban agriculture users, and KRW 21,467 for all respondents.

Liu Xiang, Na Fu, Liu, Xiang, Fu, Na · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · China

This study analyzed the current situation of rural industrialization in the process of rural-urban integration in Binhai New Area using reference and field research methods. It identified problems such as difficulties in breaking the dual economic structure in urban and rural areas, imbalanced economic development, and inadequate development of the third industry. Countermeasures proposed include optimizing agricultural industrial structure to form an urban agricultural model focusing on facility, park, and high-end agriculture to achieve intensive agricultural growth.

Shuhong Zhang · Logistics Engineering and Management · China (Wuhan)

This study investigated the current state of agricultural product logistics in cities, using the Wuhan Baishazhou agricultural and sideline products market as an example. It identified problems such as fewer services provided, backward technical means, lower employee education levels, and arbitrary market transactions. Based on these issues, suggestions were made for accelerating urban agricultural logistics development, including reinforcing market management, strengthening logistics technology development, recruiting professionals, and improving service capability.

장보경, 최윤지, 황정임 · 농촌지도와 개발 · South Korea

This study aimed to identify the needs assessment for urban agricultural programs. Urban citizens expressed a need for educational programs addressing "shortage of farming technology education" and desired "farming technology" education more than other areas. They requested urban agricultural programs with both theory and practice, preferring an 80:20 ratio of practice to theory for "farming technology" based programs. Citizens most preferred a 3 to 6-month education period, with over 95% indicating a desire to join such a program if developed.

MA Cui-hua · Hebei Nongye Daxue xuebao · China

This paper introduces and explains typical landscape design using Hebei Agricultural University as an example, focusing on school buildings, school gardens, and campus comedy. It explores the role of campus landscape in beautifying the campus environment, establishing the college image, inheriting university spirit, and fulfilling an educational function.

Liu Bai-ping · · China

This paper analyzes the status and problems of modern agriculture in Anhui Province, China, and identifies several development modes: advantageous agricultural products, eco-agriculture and characteristic agriculture, rural tourism, and suburban urban agriculture. It proposes measures for advancing Anhui's modern agriculture; no quantitative data are reported.