Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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4283 results(76 / 172)
Agricultura urbana y periurbana en el contexto global y en Colombia
2021Carlos Carranza, Martha Cecilia Vinasco Guzmán · Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia eBooks · Colombia
This paper contextualizes relevant experiences and technical tools for implementing urban and peri-urban agroecological orchards, noting that urban and peri-urban agriculture has positive results in alleviating food insecurity, improving sustainability, and creating jobs. It highlights that Colombia currently lacks government policies to support these processes. The paper aims to transfer knowledge on crops to urban and peri-urban communities to strengthen food security through vegetable production.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyFood educationThe quest for fresh vegetables
2021Doris Friedrich · · Global
This chapter examines three Arctic vegetable farming projects: Calypso Farm in Alaska, Arviat's community gardens and greenhouses in Canada, and Polar Permaculture in Norway. These projects aimed to improve health or increase food security and independence, experimenting with various growing techniques such as greenhouses, hydroponics, growboxes, and outdoor fields. Many of these projects were successful in improving their own and their community's quality of life.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeIdentification of the start and end dates of the rain seasons in Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo)
2021Martin MASSOUANGUI-KIFOUALA · International journal of innovation and applied studies · Republic of Congo (Pointe-Noire)
This article analyzed precipitation data in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, using agronomic criteria and frequencies to understand rainy season behavior for agricultural planning. The study found that Pointe-Noire has a bimodal rainfall regime, allowing for two cultivation periods annually. However, the rainy seasons are very random, with increasingly late starts, early endings, and shortening durations over the years.
Limited or null effectClimate changeFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureThe Collective Fabric of Sustainable Management of Mining Sites to Reconcile Sensitive Land Uses and Human Health
2021Camille Dumat · Aspects in Mining & Mineral Science · Global
This paper discusses the negative environmental and health impacts of mining, such as air and soil pollution, despite its socio-economic benefits. It highlights that urban agriculture, particularly in areas near former mining sites, faces challenges regarding soil quality and the production of unpolluted vegetables due to public concerns about contamination.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthCommunityPhenomenon of Urban Agriculture and Its Role in Shaping Sustainable Cities
2021Kateryna Dorofieieva, Kristīne Vugule · Landscape architecture and art · Global
This paper conducted complex research on the phenomenon of urban agriculture and its pioneering practices as a tool to combat problems related to ecology, economy, and human physical and mental well-being, arising from urban sprawl, land distribution, and modern city functioning. Selective case study and relevant literature analysis were applied as main research methods. The research results were compiled into a summarizing table highlighting core data and supporting conclusions and suggestions for planning and management of urban agriculture structures.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsHealthUrban Organic Waste for Urban Farming: Growing Lettuce Using Vermicompost and Thermophilic Compost
2021Corinna Schröder, Franziska Häfner, Oliver Christopher Larsen, Ariane Krause · Agronomy · Global
This pot trial with lettuce plants assessed the fertilizer value of composts derived from urban organic waste. Seven treatments, including food waste vermicompost and thermophilic compost from green waste and human feces, were investigated. Lettuce yield and total uptake of P, K, Ca, and Mg were highest with coir-based vermicompost, while fecal compost resulted in high shoot P and K but lower Ca and Mg uptake. All composts required additional nitrogen for lettuce growth, indicating a need for further research on macronutrient availability and alternative N sources.
CompostOrganic cycleFood lossHuertos urbanos: como estrategia de transición hacia el desarrollo urbano sostenible
2021Diego Armando Masaquiza Moposita, Juan Carlos Santillán Lima, Carlos Roberto López-Paredes · Dominio de las Ciencias · Global
This review aimed to compile and update information on urban gardens and their effects on sustainability, socioeconomic, and agri-food impacts. Databases including Sciencedirect, Google-scholar, Scopus, and NCBI were reviewed, emphasizing articles from the last five years. The review describes the origin and importance of urban gardens, their environmental, economic, and agri-food effects, and the benefits families receive from their production, contributing to food security and improved lifestyles.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changeCommunityTechnology
2021Anne Forbes, Vinesh Chandra, Linda Pfeiffer, Rachel Sheffield · Cambridge University Press eBooks · Australia
This textbook introduces pre-service teachers to the theory, skills, and practice of teaching STEM in primary schools through a project-based learning approach. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are presented as professions, mindsets, and practices, with each element integrated into the Australian Curriculum via a school garden project case study.
Food educationCommunityClimate Change and Fecal Peril
2021Ahmed Khadra · IGI Global eBooks · Global
This chapter examines the health effects of climate change, specifically focusing on the global issue of fecal peril caused by intestinal parasites. It suggests that water shortages, driven by climate change, increase pressure on water resources, leading to greater use of urban wastewater for irrigation in urban agriculture. Unsafe management and inappropriate wastewater use are likely to exacerbate the transmission of infectious diseases, including those caused by intestinal protozoa and helminths.
Contamination & food safetyHealthClimate changeOrganic cycleCommunication: the key to successful community gardens
2021Kayla‐Anne Lenferna De La Motte · Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning & Community-Based Research · New Zealand (Auckland)
This action-learning project at the AUT community garden initiative in Auckland, New Zealand, aimed to improve communication among organizers and with potential volunteers. A user-centered strategy and tools were developed and evaluated through literature review, expert interviews, and thematic analysis. Key themes identified for community gardens were communication, collaboration, and the utility of tools.
CommunityFood educationHealthIncreasing City Resilience through Urban Agriculture: Challenges and Solutions in the Global North
2021Boglarka Z. Gulyas, Jill L. Edmondson · Sustainability · Global North
A systematic review of literature on urban agriculture (UA) in the Global North identified factors determining its success in enhancing city resilience and challenges limiting it. UA's success in increasing city resilience was defined as dependent on five factors: institutional and public support, a sufficient knowledge base, communication and collaboration among actors, and resourcefulness in efficient space and resource use. However, comprehensive assessments of UA's potential are still lacking, suggesting challenges in its effective implementation.
Governance failureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityUrbanidade e agricultura no contemporâneo: pensando a alimentação pelo viés da agroecologia e as relações com uma dinâmica socioambiental
2021Ivanio Folmer, Gabriella Eldereti Machado · Diversitas Journal · Global
This theoretical study proposes a discussion on contemporary urbanity and agriculture, focusing on food through the lens of agroecology and its relationship with socio-environmental dynamics. It discusses conceptual issues involving territory, urbanity, agroecology, and food production, as well as public policies for healthy food and a balanced socio-environmental environment. The research aims to characterize contemporary urbanity and its potential for creating new spaces for agriculture, such as urban agriculture.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityClimate changeWillingness to pay for urban agriculture in Oslo
2021Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Norway (Oslo)
This study used a contingent valuation survey to assess Oslo citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for four types of urban agriculture: urban community gardens, urban gardens for work training, education, and kindergartens, aquaponics, and vertical production. While urban agriculture provides services like enhanced food security and biodiversity, its value is often hard to quantify for policymakers. The survey results indicated that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to contribute to the further development of urban farming in Oslo.
EconomicsCommunityPolicyFood educationMethod for Zero-Waste Circular Economy Using Worms for Plastic Agriculture: Augmenting Polystyrene Consumption and Plant Growth
2021Samuel Ken‐En Gan, Ser-Xian Phua, Joshua Yi Yeo, Zealyn Shi‐Lin Heng, Zhenxiang Xing · Methods and Protocols · Global
This study investigated using mealworms and superworms to consume polystyrene (PS) and their frass as plant fertilizer. Researchers found that small amounts of sucrose and bran increased PS consumption by the worms. Superworm frass, in particular, supported better growth and rooting of dragon fruit cacti over a fortnight compared to mealworm frass and control media. These findings suggest worms could offer a zero-waste solution for plastic degradation and urban farming.
Organic cycleCompostClimate changeSpecial Issue: “Urban Agriculture, Forestry and Green-Blue Infrastructure as “Re-Discovered Commons”: Bridging Urban-Rural Interface”
2021Ryo Kohsaka, Yuta Uchiyama · Sustainability · Global
This Special Issue re-explores research topics related to the relationships between urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2020 and beyond.
Urban–rural linkagePolicyCommunityFeeding Cities Through Urban and Peri-Urban Aquaculture
2021Dilip Kumar, Sukham Munilkumar · · Global
This article discusses Urban and Peri-urban Aquaculture (UPA) as a means to address urban food security, given the projected increase in urban populations. It states that urban households involved in UPA are generally more food secure, and UPA increases the availability of fresh, healthy, and affordable food. UPA also contributes to income and employment, particularly for women and migrants, and offers opportunities to use urban organic wastes, wastewater, and collected rainwater productively.
Urban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsEvaluating the preferences and level of participation of the academic community in urban agriculture: the case of University of Sistan and Baluchestan
2021Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad, Peiman Golchin · فصلنامه علوم محیطی · Iran
This study is a cross-sectional survey aimed at measuring the participation and support of the academic community for the edible landscape (university green space with edible and medicinal plants) at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran. A survey of 530 faculty members, staff, and students revealed that "mental health" and "nutrition from food produced in the edible landscape" were the most important motivators for participation. Students, women, and the 20-30 age group showed the highest motivation to participate, and the most popular combination of elements included agricultural space, an orchard with a fountain and stream, a dining area, and a mulberry grove.
CommunityFood educationHealthOffsetting the cost of community-supported agriculture (CSA) for low-income families: perceptions and experiences of CSA farmers and members
2021Stephanie Jilcott Pitts, Leah C. Volpe, Marilyn Sitaker, Emily H. Belarmino, Amari Sealey, Weiwei Wang, Florence Becot, Jared T. McGuirt, Alice S. Ammerman, Karla L. Hanson, Jane Kolodinsky, Rebecca A. Seguin‐Fowler · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · Global
This study interviewed 24 CSA farmers and 20 full-pay CSA members about their perceptions and experiences with cost-offset Community-Supported Agriculture (CO-CSA) models and specific cost-offset mechanisms, to understand the potential of CO-CSA for low-income households. Both farmers and members prioritized ensuring access to healthy food regardless of income level and generally favored member donations for funding CO-CSA. However, a commonly mentioned barrier was the potential time burden on CSA farmers for administering cost-offset programs, raising questions about economic viability.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiEconomicsWelfareOccurrence and Determination of Antimicrobial Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates in Fish and Vegetables as Indicator Organism of Faecal Contamination in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2021Francis Mwanza, Erick Komba, Dominic Kambarage · International Journal of Microbiology · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
This study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, investigated the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates from 156 samples of manure, vegetables, and fish. Of these, 36 samples (23.1%) were positive for E. coli, yielding 48 isolates. A significant finding was that 25 (52.1%) of these isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, and 12 (48.0%) showed multidrug resistance, indicating a potential microbial health risk to humans through contamination.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleCommunityEl Huerto Escolar como recurso para iniciar la Alfabetización Ambiental en Educación Infantil
2021Fátima Rodríguez Marín, María África Portillo Guerrero, María Puig Gutiérrez · Revista eureka sobre enseñanza y divulgación de las ciencias · Global
This study presents an experience carried out in a classroom with three-year-old children, where the school garden was used as the central axis of a didactic proposal based on the school research model. The results showed that this resource favors environmental literacy, while also serving to articulate didactic proposals that contribute to the population's resilience.
Food educationClimate changeBiodiversityCultivating the city for ecosocialism
2021Salvatore Engel‐Di Mauro, George M. Martin · · Global
This chapter examines urban cultivation across diverse global contexts, finding that global South cities often experience declining food production due to displacement by financiers and landowners. It notes that urban cultivation is frequently associated with unacknowledged pollution problems, and its overall ecological impacts are not necessarily positive. Furthermore, urban food production, with the exception of Cuba, does little to reduce social inequality and can sometimes exacerbate it.
Environmental trade-offsFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyClimate changeOpportunities and Challenges of Peri-Urban Agriculture on the Fringes of the Metropolis of Rabat, Morocco
2021Fatiha Hakimi, Mohamed Brech · International journal of food science and agriculture · Morocco
This study assessed peri-urban agriculture practices, roles, and challenges in Rabat Metropolis, Morocco, by surveying 50 respondents using purposive and stratified random sampling. Major practices included horticulture, crop farming, and livestock rearing. Peri-urban agriculture contributes to economic development by generating income, creating employment, supplying food, and enhancing land use and environmental beautification. However, it faces legal constraints, such as a lack of regulating laws and housing taxes, and technical constraints, including insufficient workforce, high labor costs, difficult access to irrigation water, and lack of training and support.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityResearch on the Application of Productive Agricultural Landscape in Urban Residential Area
2021Hongqiang Chen · OALib · Global
This paper summarizes the concept of productive agricultural landscape and analyzes the feasibility and advantages of its design in urban residential areas. Productive agricultural landscape integrates agricultural products and activities as design elements, addressing urban residents' needs to participate in planting, enjoy organic food, and build harmonious neighborhood relationships. This promotes the localization of urban food production and plays an important role in the sustainable development of cities.
CommunityDIYFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageUrban and peri-urban agriculture in the global food security conundrum
2021Innocent Awasom · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered a creative method of food production to address increasing urbanization and food insecurity. Urban food gardens are noted to have the potential to mitigate hunger and food insecurity, offering health, socio-cultural, environmental, and economic benefits.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealthEconomicsFuture Shift for ‘Big Things’: From Starchitecture via Agritecture to Parkitecture
2021Philip Cooke · Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity · Global
This article analyzes three shifts in the geography of "Big Things" in modern city center architecture: "Starchitecture" (1990s), "Agritecture" (2000s), and "Parkitecture" (2010s). Agritecture involved repurposing office blocks for high-rise urban farming, such as aquaponics and hydroponic horticulture. Parkitecture emerged as COVID-19 further undermined CBD property markets, leading to the replacement of malls with urban prairie landscapes.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageEconomics