Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
493 results(8 / 20)
How are allotment gardens managed? A comparative study of usage and development in contemporary urban space in Germany and Poland
2021Magdalena Szczepańska, Ewa Kacprzak, Barbara Maćkiewicz, Lidia Poniży · Moravian Geographical Reports · Germany; Poland
A comparative study analyzed the use and development of allotment gardens (AGs) in Westphalia and Lippe (Germany) and Wielkopolska (Poland). AGs in Westphalia and Lippe are accessible and harmoniously integrated into the landscape, while AGs in Wielkopolska are less accessible, prioritize internal users, and do not always blend with their surroundings. The considerable freedom enjoyed by Polish plot-holders leads to a gradual marginalization of edible-plant growing.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyBiodiversityUrban–rural linkagePlanning Peri-Urban Open Spaces: Methods and Tools for Interpretation and Classification
2021Enrico Gottero, Claudia Cassatella, Federica Larcher · Land · Italy (Turin)
This research developed a holistic method and map-based indices for interpreting and classifying peri-urban landscapes, focusing on open spaces to understand their complexity and identify homogeneous units. The method was applied to the peri-urban area of Turin, Italy, generating maps of spatial and functional classification at the landscape unit level, as well as a map of critical areas for improvement. Despite some minor limitations, the proposed method and tools appear to have a range of applications in the context of global challenges and from a landscape perspective.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyClimate changeBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageTransformative potential from the ground up: Sustainable innovation journeys, soft change and alignment of interests in urban food initiatives
2021Damian Maye, Paul Swagemakers, J.S.C. Wiskerke, Heidrun Moschitz, James Kirwan, Ingrid Jahrl · European Urban and Regional Studies · Europe
This study utilized the 'sustainable innovation journeys' concept to trace urban food initiatives in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Vigo (Spain), and Zurich (Switzerland) over a six-year period from 2013 to 2018. While micro-level innovation practices can induce sustainability shifts, particularly when aligned with policy interests, the study also observed potentially negative impacts due to a lack of alignment at the initiative or city-region levels.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justice“It’s one of the few things that … pulls us together when the outside world is really tough.” Exploring the outcomes and challenges of a charity-led community garden in a disadvantaged English city
2021Sam Ramsden · Local Environment · United Kingdom (England)
This article analyzes a charity-led community gardening project in a disadvantaged northern English community, which operated for three years with external funding. While it successfully engaged marginalized people, leading to increased skills, confidence, reduced isolation, and improved wellbeing, the project faced significant challenges requiring professional management. Crucially, after the funding ended, the community garden's future was fragile, and the long-term sustainability of outcomes for marginalized participants was vulnerable due to economic viability issues.
Economic viabilityCommunityHealthWelfareEconomicsPolicyTHEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO THE FORMATION OF URBAN AGROLANDSCAPE STRUCTURES
2021Viktoria Shchurova · Current problems of architecture and urban planning · Ukraine (Kiev)
This article highlights the problems of the negative impact of the agricultural sector integrated into the central and middle zones of large cities. A critical view was formulated on the practical implementation of scientific and legislative documents, using the example of the city of Kiev, and strategies for reorganization, restrictions, or a complete ban on estate development in urban environments were analyzed. Specific plots of estate development in Kiev were identified as requiring reconstruction or complete renovation in accordance with the city's strategic development concept.
Environmental trade-offsPolicyUrban–rural linkageClimate changeCommunityScoping Out Elements of Sociocultural Adaptation in European Urban Agriculture
2021Bianca Cavicchi, Atle Wehn Hegnes · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Europe
This paper explored elements of sociocultural adaptation (SCA) to innovation and climate change in European urban agriculture through a scoping-exploratory review of existing literature. The elements were categorized into three main categories. Key results indicate that socio-technical and socio-ecological innovations are critical to SCA, and some identified SCA elements are more central to the adaptation process than others.
CommunityClimate changePolicyTurkey's Urban Agriculture Opportunities and Peri Urban Agriculture's Relationship with Law No. 6360
2021İrem YURDAY, Ceren Yağcı, Fatih İŞCAN · Türkiye Arazi Yönetimi Dergisi · Turkey
This study explains the definitions, contributions, and benefits of urban agriculture and peri-urban agriculture. It notes that there is no clear policy framework for urban and peri-urban agriculture in Turkey, although urban interfaces are subject to planners and policymakers. The transformation of villages in big cities into communities under Law No. 6360 is presented from a utilitarian perspective. Urban agriculture has been adopted as a profitable production method in urban and peri-urban areas, and suggestions for its development in Turkey are provided.
PolicyUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureEconomicsMapping the production-consumption gap of an urban food system: an empirical case study of food security and resilience
2021Paul D. Jensen, Caroline Orfila · Food Security · United Kingdom
This case study used publicly available data to spatially analyze the urban food system of Leeds, UK, assessing its food security and resilience. The study found that while Leeds has a significant food production and provision system, it is not food secure in terms of providing sufficient energy or macronutrients, nor does it function equitably for all residents. Improving the system, including through urban farming, would require high investment, multi-sector cooperation, and strong governance.
Economic viabilityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changePolicyA "plan bee" for cities: Pollinator diversity and plant-pollinator interactions in urban green spaces
2020Daniels B., Jedamski J., Ottermanns R., Ross-Nickoll M. · PLOS ONE, 15(7):e0235492 · Europe
A study of pollinator diversity and plant-pollinator interactions in urban green spaces in Germany. Urban community gardens hosted significantly higher pollinator abundance than other park types, comparable to rural reference sites, showing that near-natural design and management, floral diversity, and even small green patches can make cities pollinator habitat.
BiodiversityCommunityPolicyAdvocates for the Landscape: Alwin Seifert and Nazi Environmentalism
2020Staudenmaier P. · German Studies Review, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 271–290 · Germany
Reexamines the ostensibly green facets of Nazism through the 'landscape advocates' led by Alwin Seifert from 1934 to 1945, assessing environmental concerns in regime public works and their ideological limits.
PolicyBiodiversityUrban areas as hotspots for bees and pollination but not a panacea for all insects
2020Theodorou P., Radzevičiūtė R., Lentendu G., Kahnt B., Husemann M., Bleidorn C., Settele J., Schweiger O., Grosse I., Wubet T., Murray T.E., Paxton R.J. · Nature Communications, 11:576 · Germany
A replicated experiment contrasting Central European cities with neighbouring rural sites, finding cities have lower overall insect richness (e.g. flies, butterflies) but higher bee species richness, flower-visitation rates and pollination than the countryside. It shows urban floral resources support bees while cautioning that not all insects benefit, informing the design of pollinator conservation in urban green spaces and gardens.
PollinatorsBiodiversityPolicyVacant lot to community garden conversion and crime in Milwaukee: a difference-in-differences analysis
2020David R Beam, Aniko Szabo, Jared Olson, Lawrence Hoffman, Kirsten M M Beyer · Injury Prevention · United States (Milwaukee)
Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design, this study compared 53 vacant lots converted into community gardens with 159 matched control lots to assess effects on police-reported theft, violent, and nuisance crime in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It found violent and nuisance crime rates were lower near the garden-conversion lots, with the most consistent reductions in violent crime within 250 m (about 3.7%–6.4%), while no substantial effect was seen for theft.
CommunityPolicyThe role of edible cities supporting sustainability transformation – A conceptual multi-dimensional framework tested on a case study in Germany
2020Artmann M., Sartison K., Vávra J. · Journal of Cleaner Production · Germany
Proposes a conceptual multi-dimensional framework positioning the edible city as a nature-based solution for sustainability transformation, tested on a German case study.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityEdible cities – An innovative nature-based solution for urban sustainability transformation? An explorative study of urban food production in German cities
2020Sartison K., Artmann M. · Urban Forestry & Urban Greening · Germany
An explorative study of urban food production in German cities, examining edible cities as a nature-based solution and the drivers and constraints of implementation.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityBeiräte als Instrument einer Ernährungswende – Die Etablierung von Ernährungsräten in Deutschland
2020Sieveking A., Schomerus C.-T. · Natur und Recht · Germany
Discusses the establishment of food policy councils (Ernährungsräte) in Germany as an advisory-council instrument for a food-system transition.
PolicyCommunityPlacemaking in Action: Factors That Support or Obstruct the Development of Urban Community Gardens
2020· Sustainability · New Zealand; Germany
Using case studies in New Zealand and Germany, this study systematically analyzes the factors that support or obstruct the development of urban community gardens as placemaking.
CommunityPolicyUrban Food Waste: A Framework to Analyse Policies and Initiatives
2020Fattibene D., Recanati F., Dembska K., Antonelli M. · Resources · Europe (40 cities across 16 countries)
Presents a framework to assess urban food waste policies and initiatives across 40 cities in 16 European countries, linking policy types, intervention areas, and actors to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Food lossPolicyUrban food cultivation in the United Kingdom: Quantifying loss of allotment land and identifying potential for restoration
2020Dobson M., Edmondson J., Warren P. · Landscape and Urban Planning · United Kingdom
A GIS analysis of historic maps shows UK allotment land declined by about 65% from its peak to 2016. The loss is inequitable: the most deprived urban areas experienced eight times the level of allotment loss as the least deprived areas.
PolicyCommunityUrban agriculture: Declining opportunity and increasing demand—How observations from London, U.K., can inform effective response, strategy and policy on a wide scale
2020· Urban Forestry & Urban Greening · London, UK
In London, allotments comprise the largest area of urban agriculture yet provision is under threat and fails to meet demand. Despite well-documented benefits, the opportunity for urban food growing is declining under development pressure while demand rises.
PolicyCommunityNature-based solutions as discursive tools and contested practices in urban nature’s neoliberalisation processes
2020Panagiota Kotsila, Isabelle Anguelovski, Francesc Baró, Johannes Langemeyer, Filka Sekulova, James J. Connolly · Environment and Planning E Nature and Space · Spain (Barcelona)
This paper analyzes nature-based solutions (NBS) as discursive tools that create an inviting space for nature's neoliberalization processes, examining two city-initiated projects in Barcelona, Spain: the Passeig de Sant Joan green corridor and the Espai Germanetes community garden. The study found that urban nature can serve elite economic players at the expense of widespread socio-ecological benefits. It also noted that outcomes regarding neoliberalism and its contestation were very distinct between the two projects due to different forms of governance.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageUrban Farming
2020Christine Aubry, Anne Cécile Daniel, Baptiste Grard, Agnès Lelièvre, Nathalie Frascaria‐Lacoste, Claire Chenu · · France
Urban micro-farms in France are intermediate forms between community gardens and recognized vegetable farms, limited in number and too heterogeneous for a unique typology. This study developed an original reading grid, inspired by agricultural sustainability assessment tools, to understand their functioning. The 18-month participatory research included numerous producer surveys, follow-ups, and field data collection on production, costs, revenue, and working time.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyLos huertos urbanos como estrategia de transición urbana hacia la sostenibilidad en la ciudad de Málaga
2020Remedios Larrubia Vargas, Juan José Natera Rivas, David Carruana-Herrera · Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles · Spain
This research investigated urban gardens in the city of Málaga as a strategy for urban transition towards sustainability. It identified 19 urban gardens promoted by both public and private entities and analyzed them based on interviews with their promoters regarding their operation, users' socioeconomic characteristics, management, motivations, and existing typology. The results highlight the diversity of projects and the benefits they provide for users' personal development, family economy, and the urban environment.
CommunityEconomicsPolicyTutelare il paesaggio agrario periurbano attraverso la multifunzionalità. Costruzione e valutazione di una proposta di piano di conservazione e valorizzazione in area milanese
2020Andrea L’Erario · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Italy (Milan)
This paper describes the application of a multi-methodological decision-making support tool for concerted management policies (Public bodies/farmers) in peri-urban agricultural areas. The proposal is guided by three principles: conservation of the historical landscape as heritage, valorization of the social potentials of the landscape in the peri-urban context, and sustainable management with a public-private partnership perspective. Peri-urban agricultural landscapes possess potential social value linked to agricultural area use, in addition to their agricultural-productive value.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyCommunityClimate changeFrom Urban voids to Urban Commons-Ex-airports as Urban Voids reuse Case studies of Tempelhofer Feld Airport in Berlin-Germany & Imbaba Airport in Giza-Egypt.
2020احمد حسنی رضوان, احمد عبد الغنی مرسی · مجلة العمارة والفنون والعلوم الإنسانية · Germany (Berlin)
This research examines former airports as urban voids and their potential reuse as urban commons. Two case studies, Tempelhofer Feld Airport in Berlin, Germany, and Imbaba Airport in Giza, Egypt, are analyzed, recognizing the cultural, historical, political, economic, and urban complexities involved in each city and country. Tempelhofer Feld is cited as an example already providing space for urban gardening, culture, sports, and recreation.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageTwentieth-century growth of urban ecology
2020David Goode, Ian Douglas, Mark J. McDonnell, Amy K. Hahs, Ian MacGregor‐Fors · · Europe
This chapter explores the evolution of urban ecology through eight historical events or stages. Urban allotment gardens as a source of vegetables and fruits were an important issue across Europe for the greater part of the twentieth century. The three paradigms 'in', 'of', and 'for' urban ecology are viewed as progressively more complex in the range of topics involved, from traditional ecological studies to multi-dimensional issues of urban sustainability.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkage