Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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385 results(8 / 16)
Evaluating Subsurface Clay Pot Irrigation: Water Use Efficiency and Crop Yield in School-Managed Vegetable Gardens, Dodoma Region
2021Grace Mwajuma, Juma Kisimba, Neema Mwamakula · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Tanzania
This intervention study assessed subsurface clay pot irrigation versus traditional hand-watering basins in 12 primary school vegetable gardens in Tanzania's Dodoma Region. Clay pot irrigation significantly increased mean water use efficiency by 65% and marketable amaranth yield by 42%. Tomato yield showed a positive but non-significant trend, and qualitative feedback indicated reduced labor burden for students.
Food educationHealthDIYSocio-Cultural Appropriateness of the Use of Historic Persian Gardens for Modern Urban Edible Gardens
2021Majid Amani-Beni, Gaodi Xie, Qingjuan Yang, Alessio Russo, Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad · Land · Iran
This qualitative field study investigated whether the spatial and structural layout of six historic Persian gardens in four Iranian provinces is suitable for modern urban food gardening. The research suggested that combining elements of formal landscape design, non-edible decorative plants, and traditional artwork would increase the Persian gardens' attractiveness. It was found that separating productive units containing edible plants from public units using a central meeting spot populated by aesthetic plants and items may attract ordinary visitors interested in gardening without disturbing anyone's activities. The Persian gardens' multifunctionality, aesthetic value, and health-promoting qualities constitute a considerable historic achievement in garden design, making them a suitable model for edible urban gardening.
CommunityDIYFood educationUsing Different Substrate Materials (Local and Imported) For Producing Eggplant on Rooftops
2021· Current Science International · Egypt (Giza)
An experiment conducted in a rooftop garden in Giza, Egypt, during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 investigated the effect of nine different substrate mixtures on eggplant growth and yield. Sand:rice husks (1:1) v/v (SR1) resulted in the highest plant growth and yield, followed by sand:rice husks (2:1) v/v (SR2). When considering cost-effectiveness, SR2 was the cheapest growing medium, followed by SR1, with initial costs of 10.75 E.P and 13.5 E.P respectively, and average yields of 10.96 kg/m² and 12.68 kg/m².
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsGround cover plants research for objects of landscape architecture
2021BMSTU (Mytishchi branch), I.Yu. Bochkova, Yu.A. Khokhlacheva · Лесной вестник / Forestry bulletin · Global
Research conducted in 2018 at the Main Botanical Garden (MBG RAS) identified promising groundcover plants for landscape architecture. From 225 selected plants, field surveys and phenological observations were performed, including biometric measurements and color refinement. The study resulted in a list of 40 highly promising species recommended for urban gardening.
BiodiversityDIYCOVID‐19 gardening could herald a greener, healthier future
2021Brenda B. Lin, Monika Egerer, Jonathan Kingsley, Pauline Marsh, Lucy Diekmann, Alessandro Ossola · Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment · Global
This letter explores whether there was a renewed global interest in gardening during the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that gardening, in various forms from private yards to community gardens, has the potential to counteract negative physical and mental health impacts of lockdowns and reduced human-nature interactions. Media reports indicated spikes in gardening interest, with sold-out seeds and plants in stores.
HealthCommunityDIYClimate changeRooftop Gardening a Modern Approach of Production in Urban Areas: A Review
2021Mukesh Choudhary, Abha Rawat · Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika · Global
This review examines rooftop horticulture as an innovative solution for urban cultivation, addressing limited space in cities. It provides an interdisciplinary assessment of various development approaches and forms of rooftop horticulture, drawing on existing experiences and offering suggestions for planning sustainable cities. The review notes that some urban rooftop gardens utilize mineral fertilizers and pesticides.
DIYPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeRooftop Hydroponics: Opportunity for Urban Agriculture in Godawari Municipality of Nepal
2021Sunil Babu Shrestha, Bijan Shrestha, Marina Vaidya Shrestha · Nepal Journal of Science and Technology · Nepal
In Godawari Municipality, Nepal, this study explored the opportunity of rooftop hydroponics for urban agriculture. A questionnaire survey was conducted in ward-14 from November to December 2018, with a sample size of 64 households selected using stratified random sampling. Out of 64 respondents, 45 (71.31%) achieved high opportunity scores based on eight factors: Space, Willingness, Affordability, Manpower, Time, Knowledge, Technology, and Acceptance with incentives. This indicates a high opportunity for practicing rooftop hydroponics for urban agriculture in Godawari Municipality.
DIYEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceIdentifying potential applications for residual biomass from urban agriculture through eco-ideation: Tomato stems from rooftop greenhouses
2021Ana Manríquez-Altamirano, Jorge Sierra-Pérez, Pere Muñoz, Xavier Gabarrell · Journal of Cleaner Production · Global
This study proposed an eco-design methodology to upcycle tomato stems, identified as the most promising agro-urban solid waste from rooftop greenhouse tomato crops, for local "do-it-yourself" use. Researchers characterized tomato stems physically, chemically, and mechanically, then conducted a creative session with specialists to identify applications. Resulting concepts included "Fences and trellises," "Packaging," and "Boards, panels and blocks," providing data on stem characterization for broader biomass utilization.
Organic cycleDIYClimate changeComplementary analyses of soil microbial and chemical properties and human observation on augmented ecosystems in urban environment
2021Kousaku Ohta, Masatoshi Funabashi · Measurement Sensors · Global
This study achieved high biodiversity (over 200 plant species) on an urban rooftop garden using the Synecoculture method and analyzed soil microbial diversity, activity, and chemical properties over two years. Soil microbes gradually increased in diversity and activity after installation, showing a positive correlation with cation exchange capacity. After two years of continuous practice, human subjective evaluations were qualitatively consistent with objective data, suggesting that trained human subjectivity could be incorporated as part of assessment proxies in future ecosystem management research.
BiodiversityOrganic cycleCommunityDIYResearch 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 linkageGrowth and Carotenoid Contents of Intercropped Vegetables in Building-Integrated Urban Agriculture
2021Jin-Hee Ju, Sun-Young Cho, Hee-Yeon Song, Se-Young Ju, Yong-Han Yoon, Kyung‐Jin Yeum · Journal of Food Quality · Global
This study aimed to increase plant growth and bioactive contents using intercropping technology in urban agriculture. Tomatoes and sunflowers were intercropped in different ratios on an outdoor rooftop, and lettuce and chicory were grown together in indoor LED plant growth chambers. Tomatoes intercropped with sunflowers (3:1) showed significantly larger stem diameter, more leaves, and higher lycopene and β-carotene contents compared to monocultured tomatoes. Lettuce intercropped with chicory (1:3) had significantly higher chlorophyll, β-carotene, and lutein contents than lettuce grown alone, but intercropping had no beneficial effect on chicory's growth and carotenoid content.
DIYFood educationPENGEMBANGAN PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN JENIS DAN PENGELOLAANNYA (REVIEW ARTIKEL)
2021Haryuni Haryuni, Sapto Priyadi, Suswadi Suswadi, Mrih Rahayu, Achmad Fatchul Aziez · PROSIDING SEMINAR NASIONAL DIES NATALIS 41 UTP SURAKARTA · Global
This article reviews types and management of urban farming, concluding that vertical farming is widely adopted due to its adaptability to limited urban land. Plant management typically involves planned and regular practices, utilizing household waste for fertilization and pest control. Common plant disturbances are caused by insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
DIYCommunityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceRancang Bangun Robot Smart Farming Berbasis Computer Numerical Control (Sensor dan Monitoring)
2021Ilham Eka Putra, Wiwin Styorini · ABEC Indonesia · Global
This research developed a Smart Farming Robot (SF-BOT) for urban agriculture, designed for automated watering, seed planting, and plant monitoring using IoT applications. SF-BOT utilizes soil moisture sensors with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, offering real-time monitoring and video streaming via a web server interface. The DHT sensor achieved 98.69% accuracy, and the magnetic sensor achieved 100% accuracy.
Digital agricultureDIYCommunityCoastal Ecosystems as Sources of Biofertilizers in Agriculture: From Genomics to Application in an Urban Orchard
2021Eloísa Pajuelo, Sandra Arjona, Ignacio D. Rodríguez‐Llorente, Enrique Mateos‐Naranjo, Susana Redondo‐Gómez, Francisco Merchán, Salvadora Navarro‐Torre · Frontiers in Marine Science · Global
This study evaluated the plant growth promoting (PGP) activity of the rhizobacterium Pantoea agglomerans RSO7 and its application as a biofertilizer in an urban orchard. RSO7 enhanced alfalfa growth in vitro, and a bacterial consortium including RSO7 fostered the growth and yield of several winter crops in an urban orchard by 1.5 to 10 fold. However, RSO7's classification in biosecurity group 2 prevents its use according to current European regulation.
Organic cycleDIYROBOTIC MINI-GREENHOUSES AND INSTALLATIONS FOR GROWING AGRICULTURAL CROPS AT HOME
2021L.A. Zhuravleva, A. Aldiab · SCIENTIFIC LIFE · Global
This article discusses innovative directions in urban farming and presents the development of an installation for growing agricultural crops at home with an automatic control system based on the Arduino platform. The control system measures illumination, temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, and water level using sensors, automatically maintaining optimal microclimate parameters. The conducted studies demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of this experimental installation.
DIYDigital agricultureUrban–rural linkageIntraspecific variability of floral and ornamental plants of Onagraceae family and mechanisms of their variety formation
2021E. V. Koroleva, A. F. Petrov, Yu. V. Chudinova · Bulletin of NSAU (Novosibirsk State Agrarian University) · Russia (Novosibirsk)
This review focuses on the intraspecific variability of ornamental plants of the genus Clarkia (Onagraceae) and the clarification of the systematic status of Godetia species introduced into Novosibirsk. Experimental data from genetic and cytological analyses over the last 100 years are presented, showing morphological, karyological characteristics, and genetic variability in various species of the Godetia section. The article concludes that a comprehensive study of environmental conditions' influence on genetic features, ornamental qualities, and flowering biology is necessary for selecting suitable forms and introducing them into urban gardening for Western Siberia's climatic conditions.
DIYBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageCommunity-scale composting for food waste: A life-cycle assessment-supported case study
2020· Journal of Cleaner Production · Malaysia
Uses a university case study and life-cycle assessment to demonstrate community-scale food waste composting; with leaves as bulking agent it took 7 months, yielding 30% compost meeting organic fertiliser standards.
DIYCommunityFood lossDesign, Construction and Testing of IoT Based Automated Indoor Vertical Hydroponics Farming Test-Bed in Qatar
2020Chowdhury M.E.H., Khandakar A., Ahmed S., Al-Khuzaei F., Al-Emadi N. · Sensors · Qatar
Design, construction and testing of an automated indoor vertical hydroponic system able to grow common food crops inside homes in limited space independent of outdoor climate, with an open IoT platform for remote monitoring and display of system parameters.
DIYEconomicsEvaluating the Thermal Behavior of a Sustainable Room and Roof Prototype Using Recycled Waste Materials
2020· Recycling · Global
Monitors a prototype room over a year with walls of soil-filled PET bottles and a roof of multiple reused-material layers, including a green roof of waste materials, soil and endemic plants, demonstrating good thermal performance.
DIYOrganic cycleUrban Horticulture for Food Secure Cities through and beyond COVID-19
2020Muhammad Mumtaz Khan, Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rhonda Janke, Rashad Qadri, Abdullah M. Al‐Sadi, Aitazaz A. Farooque · Sustainability · Global
This study reviews contemporary urban horticulture, illustrating traditional and innovative developments, as a response to global concerns about food supply and environmental protection in urban settings, exacerbated by factors like population growth and the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how current urban cropping systems can be enhanced with modern techniques like vertical gardening and hydroponics. These methods are presented as eco-friendly, energy-saving, and capable of ensuring consistent fresh food supplies and more sustainable agriculture.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityDIYClimate changeGREEN ROOF CONCEPT ANALYSIS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF URBAN FARMING PRACTICE IN CITIES
2020Nur Huzeima Mohd Hussain, Nur Hayati Hashim, Asmat Ismail · Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Environment · Global
This paper conceptually reviews the ideas, issues, and imperatives of implementing urban farming on rooftops, investigating an alternative for urban dwellers to achieve resilience. It uses comparative analysis of established texts and secondary data from cases in Singapore, Japan, USA, and Thailand. The study aims to localize the concept of rooftop urban farming and establish a conceptual discourse for its implementation in Malaysia.
DIYCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeUsing constructed soils for green infrastructure – challenges and limitations
2020Maha Deeb, Peter M. Groffman, Manuel Blouin, Sara Perl Egendorf, Alan Vergnes, Viacheslav Vasenev, Donna L. Cao, Daniel C. I. Walsh, Tatiana Morin, Geoffroy Séré · SOIL · Global
This review examines the use of Constructed Technosols (CTs), mixtures of organic and mineral waste, for green infrastructure (GI) in urban spaces. While CTs have high potential to provide multiple soil functions and contribute to urban greening, urban soils are often physically, chemically, or biologically unsuitable for GI features. The analysis suggests that the composition and structure of CTs should be adapted to available wastes and by-products, as well as future land use and environmental conditions, highlighting the need for careful design to overcome existing limitations.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleClimate changeBiodiversityDIYAssessing Nutrient Removal in Stormwater Runoff for Urban Farming with Iron filings-based Green Environmental Media
2020Dan Wen, Ni‐Bin Chang, Martin P. Wanielista · Scientific Reports · Global
This study assessed the nutrient removal efficiencies of Iron Filings-based Green Environmental Media (IFGEM) for stormwater runoff, using an isotherm study, a column study of reaction kinetics, and microstructure examination. IFGEM, made from recycled materials like tire crumb and iron filings, demonstrated over 90% nitrate removal and 50-70% total phosphorus removal under most inlet conditions. The ammonia byproduct allows for potential reuse of spent IFGEM as soil amendments in urban farming applications.
Organic cycleClimate changeDIYClimate Factors and Climate Change in Urban Agroecosystems
2020Monika Egerer · · Global
This chapter discusses how climate-related factors and climate change may affect the biodiversity of plants and animals in urban agroecosystems, and the ecosystem functions and services they provide. It notes that little research in urban agroecology explicitly investigates the impacts of local weather patterns or regional climate cycles on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, or service delivery. The chapter aims to bridge agricultural and urban literature to enhance understanding of social-ecological processes in urban agroecosystems during the climate change era.
Climate changeBiodiversityCommunityDIYRooftop gardening to improve food security in Dhaka city: A review of the present practices
2020Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury, Md. Fahim Sharker Eashat, Chinmoy Sarkar, Nafisa Habib Purba, Mohammad Asadul Habib, Plabon Sarkar, Lincon Chandra Shill · International Multidisciplinary Research Journal · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Rooftop gardening for vegetable production has gained momentum in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, offering alternative spaces for urban agriculture and contributing to agricultural sustainability. While rooftop agriculture can improve ecosystem services, biodiversity, and food security, its widespread implementation is currently limited by multiple challenges. Green roofs are considered a supplement to other urban food production sources, not a total solution for food security.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityClimate change