Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
11393 results(79 / 456)
Reality vs. Expectations in the Implementation of Urban Agricultural Projects—A Polycentric Governance Analysis
2024Boukharta Ouiam Fatiha, Sauvée Loïc, Chico-Santamarta Leticia, Pena-Fabri Fabiana, Navas-Gracia Luis Manuel · Urban Science · France (Normandy)
Multi-level governance analysis of urban-agriculture projects in Normandy based on interviews and fieldwork. Documents a gap between policy prescriptions and how local authorities actually implement them, showing expectations for UA-driven resilience outrun delivery on the ground.
PolicyThe institutionalisation of urban community gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
2024Kanosvamhira T. P. · Area · South Africa (Cape Town)
Analyses how the state institutionalises Cape Town's community gardens along neoliberal lines. Argues state support cultivates neoliberal subjectivities and regulates production, diminishing the gardens' potential to advance food justice in historically disadvantaged communities.
PolicyCommunityVacancy as Precarious Property in Dublin's Temporary Urbanism Moment
2024Cian O'Callaghan · Antipode · Ireland (Dublin)
Critical account of Dublin's 2008–2017 temporary-urbanism moment showing how the post-crash possibilities for community/garden uses of vacant land were foreclosed by governmental interventions that re-secured property relations, withdrawing interim uses once the market recovered.
PolicyEconomicsMunicipal Compost Public Health, Waste Management, and Urban Agriculture: A Decadal Study of Fugitive Pb in City of Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2024Yang et al. · GeoHealth · United States (Massachusetts)
Decadal study of Boston's municipal composting program. Lead concentrations consistently exceeded EPA soil benchmarks. Program halted in 2012. Highlights importance of compost safety for urban agriculture.
CompostHealthOrganic cycleStrengthening Urban and Peri-Urban Food Systems to Achieve Food Security
2024FAO · Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations · Global
FAO presents strategy for achieving food security through strengthened urban and peri-urban food systems. Integrates policy frameworks, infrastructure investment, and market development approaches.
PolicyEconomicsResearch Advances and Emerging Trends in the Impact of Urban Expansion on Food Security: A Global Overview
2024· MDPI Agriculture · Global
Examines paradox of urban expansion reducing agricultural land while urban agriculture offers compensation. Highlights importance of urban-rural food system integration.
PolicyEconomicsRooftop Gardening: The Future of Urban Agriculture
2024Urban Agriculture Research Group · ResearchGate · Global
Investigates how rooftop gardening practices utilize small and unconventional spaces to increase cities' self-reliance in food production
Organic cycleRooftop Farming Systems: A Systematic Review of Environmental and Economic Benefits
2024Schmidt, K., Yamamoto, R., Oluwaseun, A., De Silva, H. · Renewable Energy Reviews · Global
Systematic review of 156 rooftop farming projects in 24 countries. Rooftop farms reduce building energy by 20-25%, decrease stormwater runoff by 40-60%, and generate 4-8 kg/m²/year of vegetables.
Food educationEconomicsAdoption of Agricultural Technologies Among Small-Scale Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
2024Okonkwo, E., Mensah, J., Gessesse, A., Okoro, N. · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Africa
Survey of 3,500 small-scale farmers across 8 Sub-Saharan African countries. Farmer field schools increase technology adoption to 48% versus 12% without training.
EconomicsAgroforestry Systems as Carbon Sinks: Quantifying Sequestration Potential
2024Lima, P., Mwangi, E., Sousa, H., Park, J. · Nature Climate Change · Global
Global analysis of 250 agroforestry systems showing 4-8 tons CO2/ha/year sequestration compared to 0.5-1 ton for monoculture. Scaling could sequester 3-4 gigatons CO2 annually.
Organic cycleEconomicsWomen's Empowerment Through Agricultural Extension in Sub-Saharan Africa
2024Adeyemi, F., Mwangi, L., Okafor, B., Mutua, S. · World Development · Africa
Study of 1,200 women farmers across 6 Sub-Saharan countries. Women completing extension training increase productivity 40-60% and earn 35-50% higher incomes.
WelfareEconomicsFarms Beneath the Skyline: Rooftop Agriculture as the Next Urban Food Revolution
2024Earth5R · Earth5R · Global
Explores rooftop agriculture potential and challenges. Benefits include CO2 absorption, urban heat island reduction, biodiversity support, and reduced food transportation emissions. Challenges: limited space, high costs, maintenance needs.
Tackling Historical Inequities in Urban Organic Waste and Composting
2024Boston University School of Public Health · Boston University School of Public Health · United States
Examines historical inequities in urban organic waste and composting access. Highlights disparities in low-income and communities of color. Advocates for equitable policy design and implementation.
CompostPolicyHealthAssessing economic sustainability and resilience of tomato farming ventures in Addis Ababa: A project-based evaluation
2024Gizaw Ebissa, Hayal Desta, Aramde Fetene · Heliyon · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
A 2024 project-based appraisal of urban tomato farming in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit–cost ratio (BCR). With the cost of water included the venture returns a negative NPV of −US$30,100 per hectare per year, an IRR of 0.2%, a BCR of 0.83 and a payback period beyond ten years; excluding water costs it turns positive (NPV +US$15,100/ha/yr, IRR 21%, BCR 1.02, payback 2.9 years). Production cost is US$0.60/kg with water and US$0.45/kg without, against an average selling price of US$0.47/kg, so the venture does not pay for itself as long as water must be bought. Sensitivity analysis shows returns rise with price and yield and fall with operating costs. The authors treat better market access, agro-processing and cooperative formation as preconditions for viability.
EconomicsVegetable Gardening and Health Outcomes in Older Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial
2024Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Robert A. Oster, Kerry P. Smith, Harleen Kaur, Andrew D. Frugé, W. Walker Cole, Julie L. Locher, Gabrielle B. Rocque, Maria Pisu, Jennifer R. Bail, Harvey Jay Cohen, Douglas R. Moellering, Cindy K. Blair · JAMA Network Open · United States (Alabama)
A randomized trial in Alabama, USA, assigned 381 older cancer survivors (mean age 69.8 years, 69.0% female) with suboptimal vegetable and fruit intake, physical activity or physical function to a one-year home vegetable gardening intervention (supplies plus mentoring by certified master gardeners) or to a waitlist. The primary outcome — a composite index of improvement in vegetable and fruit intake, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and physical function — did not differ significantly (4.5% intervention vs 3.1% waitlist, P=.53), nor did vegetable and fruit intake between arms (mean difference 0.3 servings/day, P=.10). The intervention arm did show significant gains in physical performance (2-minute step test +6.0 steps; 30-second chair stand +0.8 repetitions), perceived health (+8.4 points on a 100-point scale) and gut microbiome alpha diversity. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly moderated effects, so the trial does not establish that gardening halts functional decline in older adults.
Limited or null effectElderlyWelfareHealthA Participatory Evaluation of an Urban Garden Project in Ecuador: Exploring Factors That Impact the Recovery of People With Severe Mental Health Problems
2024Emilia C. Zamora-Moncayo, Bernarda Herrera, June Larrieta, Aimée DuBois, Georgina Miguel Esponda · Qualitative Health Research · Ecuador
A participatory case study of Huertomanías, an urban garden initiative founded in Ecuador in 2015 that provides work, income and social inclusion to people with severe mental health problems. Twelve participants took part in cognitive mapping, a photovoice project and interviews. Thematic analysis identified four domains of impact within the garden — autonomy (financial and personal), interpersonal and environmental relations, mental health, and family dynamics — plus external factors (family support, public policy and healthcare services) that shape recovery. The context is that employment access for this group is largely disregarded in Ecuadorian policy planning because of labour-market discrimination. As a qualitative study with 12 participants, it does not measure symptom change or job retention.
WelfareHealthCommunityUrban and peri-urban agriculture under climate change: A review on carbon emissions and sequestration
2024Abdulhakeem Al-Qubati, Lulu Zhang, Matthias Forkel · Sustainable Cities and Society · Global
This 2024 global review examined 96 studies focusing on methods for estimating carbon sequestration (CS) and emissions in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). The review found significant research gaps: most studies were in the global north, research in the global south is lacking, and there are fewer studies on CS compared to GHG emissions. Additionally, few studies jointly assessed water and carbon cycles, and spatiotemporal analysis, modeling, and remote sensing for GHG emissions are underutilized.
Methodological critiqueClimate changeUrban–rural linkageImplementing urban agriculture as nature-based solutions in China: Challenges and global lessons
2024Zhe Zhu, Faith Ka Shun Chan, Gang Li, Mengxia Xu, Meili Feng, Yong‐Guan Zhu · Soil & Environmental Health · China
This review examines urban agriculture in China, identifying three forms: small-scale, capital-intensive, and tourism-type, each with benefits and challenges shaped by local context and government policies. Despite benefits like improved community cohesion and environmental sustainability, urban agriculture in China faces significant limitations including land availability, capital shortage, market access, and insufficient governmental support. Strategies and four recommendations are proposed to address these challenges.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityHealthThe food-water-climate nexus of green infrastructure: Examining ecosystem services trade-offs of peri-urban agriculture
2024Ricard Segura, Johannes Langemeyer, Alba Badía, Sergi Ventura, Jaime Vila-Traver, Gara Villalba · The Science of The Total Environment · Spain (Barcelona)
A study in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, Spain, investigated the impacts of peri-urban agricultural expansion on the food-water-climate nexus using urban metabolism and atmospheric-biosphere models across four land-use scenarios. While expansion increased food production and irrigation water requirements, replacing natural non-forested and forest areas for peri-urban agriculture was predicted to reduce net ecosystem productivity by up to 18.5% and total carbon stocks by 3.3%. Irrigated peri-urban agriculture potentially reduced near-surface temperatures by 0.7°C, though reductions in the densest urban areas were minimal.
Environmental trade-offsPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceUrban green infrastructure: bridging biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development through adaptive management approach
2024Dong Wang, Peiyuan Xu, Bo-Wen An, Qiuping Guo · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Global
This paper introduces a conceptual framework for urban green infrastructure (UGI) to integrate ecological principles, urban planning, and adaptive management for resilient urban landscapes. UGI aims to enhance ecological connectivity, restore ecosystem functions, and provide habitats, emphasizing multifunctionality, connectivity, diversity, and accessibility. Global case studies demonstrate UGI's effectiveness in biodiversity conservation and its contribution to sustainable urban development through ecosystem services. Challenges for UGI include funding constraints, institutional fragmentation, and equity issues, requiring innovative financing, community involvement, and policy innovations.
CommunityBiodiversityClimate changeOpportunities and challenges for strawberry cultivation in urban food production systems
2024Aikaterini Kouloumprouka Zacharaki, James Monaghan, Jennifer R. Bromley, Laura H. Vickers · Plants People Planet · Global
This review identifies challenges for strawberry cultivation in urban production systems, noting that new urban farmers often lack the specialist knowledge of commercial growers. Common bottlenecks include plant physiology, pathogen management, choice of propagation material, fertigation, pollination, and environmental requirements. This knowledge gap appears to result in the abandonment of strawberries as a crop of choice in urban systems.
Economic viabilityDIYEconomicsFood educationClimate changeFactors Affecting Performance of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises (Case of Karat Town, Konso)
2024Mr. Gedeno Gemeda Negash · Journal of Production Operations Management and Economics · Ethiopia
An explanatory study in Karat town, Konso, Ethiopia, examined factors affecting the performance of 185 micro and small-scale enterprises across various sectors, including urban agriculture. Using questionnaires and analyzing data with correlation and multiple regression, the study found a positive and significant relationship between most independent variables and enterprise performance. However, the effect of access to infrastructure on performance was positive but insignificant.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageExperiences from a land-based learning project focused on local food interventions
2024Abbey Palmer, Phillip Warsaw, Aaron J. McKim, R. Bud McKendree, Marion Nettleton, Tiffany Marzolino, Haley Brasier · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States
This study evaluated a land-based learning program in northern Michigan, involving two schools, two teachers, their students, food-service directors, local farmers, and a university extension educator. The program delivered farm-to-school content through 20 instructional sessions, leading students to identify and implement interventions to increase local food in school lunches. Findings indicate that this framework offers similar benefits to traditional farm-to-school programs, with added flexibility and educational advantages.
Food educationCommunityCSA & TeikeiRevisão de literatura: ecoformação, transdisciplinaridade e as produções acadêmicas sobre educação
2024Evandro dos Santos Taborda, Vera Lúcia Simão, Joel Cezar Bonin · Cadernos Cajuína · Brazil
This descriptive and qualitative literature review, conducted from April 8 to May 10, 2023, analyzed 20 theses and dissertations from databases like Periódicos Capes, Google Scholar, and Scielo Brasil. It is part of a master's research investigating transdisciplinary and eco-formative pedagogical practices with high school students using a community garden in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The study suggests that continuing such practices in high school can strengthen the connection between education and society, offering integrated learning opportunities.
Food educationCommunityExploring Community-Supported Agriculture through Maslow’s Hierarchy: A Systematic Review of Research Themes and Trends
2024Xiaofan Tian, Ruifang Zhang, Zifan Wang, Xinna Kang, Zhixin Yang · Agriculture · Global
This systematic review analyzed Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) literature from 1999 to 2023 to identify research themes and trends, corroborating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. The review found a geographical expansion of CSA research from North America to Asia and Africa, and a societal shift from basic sustenance to a deeper understanding of nutrition and diet. Recent research emphasizes "environment" and "health and education," aligning with higher-level needs in Maslow's theory.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomics