Research & reports

M. L. Wahlqvist · Food and nutrition · Global

This chapter defines food systems and their evolution, noting that current systems contribute significantly to environmental degradation. It highlights the urgent need for transformation due to increasing global food demand, environmental issues, political instability, and climate change. The chapter discusses alternative food systems, including urban agriculture, that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and social justice to address challenges in industrialized food production and ensure access to nutritious food.

Diego Roldán · Revista Kawsaypacha Sociedad y Medio Ambiente · Argentina (Rosario)

This article explores how urban agriculture in Rosario, Argentina, challenges hegemonic discourses on landscape and territory, offering insights to rethink green public spaces. The study uses critical interpretation of documents, key informant interviews, and direct observation of agroecological initiatives. It investigates the origins of urban agriculture and its links to economic crises and peripheries, analyzing the historical dissociation between aesthetic-recreational and production-environmental imaginaries in green public spaces. The article addresses the potential of agroecological fairs and park-gardens to integrate agroecology and public space, aiming to reassemble nature-city relationships.

Ivana Stankov, Andrés F. Useche, Peter Lekkas, Rosie Mae Henson, Irene Headen, Jonathan Purtle, Brent A. Langellier · Obesity Reviews · Global

This scoping review characterized 40 peer-reviewed studies from 1370 unique records, identified through a comprehensive search of six databases, that used interest-holder-driven causal loop diagrams to examine food systems, diet, and obesity. All studies identified individual and behavioral drivers of obesity, while studies in the Global South and those engaging minoritized populations more frequently emphasized structural factors like racism, urban agriculture, and gentrification. The review highlights the potential of causal loop diagrams to capture the complexity of these issues and identifies gaps in geographical coverage and population representation.

Ioana Florea · Environmental Sociology · Romania

This paper investigated three collective gardening projects in Bucharest that closed between 2019 and 2021, analyzing what remains of their sustainability capacities and commoning efforts after termination. Findings indicate that while essential commoning aspects like collectivity building and autonomy can endure and transfer to other spaces, cross-class aspects fade away with these transpositions. This reveals that what persists from closed gardening projects is strongly tied to structural historical contexts.

Yasin Mohamed Ibrahim · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Somalia (Mogadishu)

A study in Mogadishu, Somalia, used snowball sampling to assess constraints and opportunities for urban horticulture. It found that temperature, wind, pests, diseases, and limited irrigation water significantly restrict production, particularly for open-field farmers who face high irrigation demands, pest infestations, and low-quality yields unattractive to buyers. While greenhouses offer some protection, plastic greenhouses specifically suffer from inadequate gutter height and poor ventilation, requiring farmers to use primitive methods to combat extreme temperatures.

Sara Ramezani, Mahin Nastaran, Homayoon Nooraie, Kei Otsuki · Journal of Landscape Ecology · Iran

A study investigating urban agriculture land use changes in Damavand, Iran, from 1995 to 2022 found a 109% increase in built-up land and declines of 14.34% in barren land and 22.44% in vegetation, including urban agriculture lands. Interviews with 15 participants identified land value changes, attraction to urban livelihoods, management and planning factors, physical-environmental factors, and urban infrastructure availability as primary reasons for these changes. The research highlights the urgent need for effective planning to mitigate threats from extensive urban agriculture transformations.

Yapjoco, Patrice Bianca R. · CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development · Philippines (Quezon City)

This qualitative study, conducted in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City, Philippines, during the COVID-19 pandemic, examined the effectiveness of the “Tanimang Bayan” urban agriculture project. Findings indicated that the initiative enhanced access to fresh produce, promoted community-led production, and supported collective action and self-organization among residents. These outcomes suggest a meaningful contribution to resilience-building and local food systems in marginalized urban contexts.

Johannes Bhanye, Abraham R. Matamanda, Ruvimbo Shayamunda · Discover Global Society · Zimbabwe

In Lydiate informal settlement in peri-urban Zimbabwe, Malawian migrants mobilize insurgent practices, including informal land seizures, spiritual claims, and communal strategies, to access land for farming. Access to land for urban and peri-urban farming remains a significant hurdle, especially for marginalized migrants. Migrants invoke divine ownership narratives, Nyau cult practices, and witchcraft deterrence as tactical tools for defending seized land.

Lyons, Jennifer, Davies, Anna, Gallagher, Daisy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Ireland (Dublin)

This report provides sustainability impact scenarios for Food Sharing Initiatives (FSIs) in Dublin city. Combining CULTIVATE’s Food Sharing Map and Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) data submitted by FSIs, it offers low, average, and high estimations of the sustainability impacts created by FSIs. The impact indicators presented are only a subset of total impacts, and estimations will become more accurate as more FSIs submit SIA data.

Temitope Ruth Adeyemi, A. Patrick Henry, David Adetayo Olorunjuwon, Olajide Isaac Oyedele · International journal of research and scientific innovation · Global

This paper defines urban agriculture as food production, processing, distribution, and sale within urban, suburban, and peri-urban areas for various purposes, and the food system as encompassing all related value-adding activities. It highlights that urban agriculture and food systems provide social, economic, community, and health benefits, addressing food security challenges. The paper concludes that urban agriculture is a tool for sustainable city development, encouraging policymakers to map initiatives for planning purposes.

Andreas Wesener, Shannon Davis, Guanyu Chen · Urban Planning · New Zealand (Christchurch)

This study explored strategic spatial opportunities for improving access to and distribution of locally produced food, using urban community gardens in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, as a case study. GIS analysis was used to examine spatial accessibility to urban community gardens and associated socio-demographic factors, in comparison to commercial food outlets. The results indicated that the method is useful for examining spatial accessibility, and that urban community gardens in Christchurch are mainly located in more deprived areas, with walkable access provided to about one-fifth of the city’s total population.

Edwin Villagrán, John Javier Espitia, Jader Rodríguez, Linda Gomez, Gina Marcela Amado Saavedra, E.J. Baeza, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Jorge Flores-Velázquez, Mohammad Akrami, Rodrigo Gil, Luis Alejandro Arias · Sustainability · Global

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of artificial lighting technologies in greenhouses and protected agriculture, examining scientific publications from the Scopus database between 1974 and 2024. It found a significant increase in research over the last two decades, with the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and China leading in scientific output. Key trends include the use of specific light spectra (red and blue) and the integration of LED systems with digital sensors, though adoption in developing countries like Colombia remains in early stages.

Jeffery W Bentley, Paul Van Mele · CABI eBooks · Global

This work presents several global examples of community engagement aimed at reviving traditional food cultures. In Egypt, the NGO Nawaya empowers rural women as caterers by preserving culinary heritage, while a school in Peru integrates local knowledge and biodiversity through school gardens. France's La Tablée event connects organic farmers and consumers, and Bolivia's AGRECOL Andes supports smallholder farmers in selling organic produce to low-income communities. These cases highlight the potential of community involvement in revitalizing traditional food cultures.

Mokhdum Azam Mashrafi, Mokhdum Azam Mashrafi · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This project aims to establish an integrated, eco-friendly system for fish culture, vegetable cultivation, fruit gardening, and animal farming within and around cities, towns, villages, highways, and agricultural zones. The system utilizes drain-type artificial lakes, fenced culture units, water recycling mechanisms, climate-control methods, and energy-efficient technologies to ensure high production even in challenging environments. The project emphasizes food security, urban sustainability, youth employment, environmental protection, and efficient land use.

Omar Ángel Arach, Iracélis de Fatima Moraes, José Oswaldo Soares de Oliveira, Amira RACHID, Sandra Maria Pereira da Silva, Ana Maria Girotti SPERANDIO · Editora Científica Digital eBooks · Global

This article aims to reflect on the generosity of the plant kingdom, which provides solutions to various socio-environmental problems through agriculture, health, and the environment. Plants ensure food supply through healthy agriculture (organic, agroecological, biodynamic, urban agriculture), the use of medicinal plants (phytotherapy in public health), and urban greening and reforestation (carbon sequestration, air depollution, and increased water quantity). These aspects converge on the common goal of ensuring quality of life and collective health for people amidst the turmoil of cities.

Robert C. Brears · · Global

This chapter examines urban agriculture's role in circular urban ecosystems, highlighting its contributions to food security, urban heat island reduction, and improved water management. It discusses various types of urban agriculture and their benefits, such as enhancing green spaces and fostering community building, and explores its integration into the circular economy. The chapter also covers closed-loop water systems and waste-to-resource initiatives, positioning urban agriculture as a nature-based solution that enhances urban resilience and sustainability.

Jassana Moreira Floriano, Rita de Cássia Ávila Pens · Revista Científica da Escola Estadual de Saúde Pública de Goiás *Cândido Santiago* · Global

Nutrition education workshops and the implementation of a community garden were conducted to promote food security and empowerment among women in situations of social vulnerability. In the workshops, participants learned to prepare healthy recipes using accessible ingredients, while the garden encouraged fresh food cultivation and strengthened food autonomy. Participants showed a high level of acceptance for the practices taught, and the workshops fostered knowledge exchange and strengthened community ties.

Laura Martins de Carvalho, Zilma Borges, Janaina Mitsue Kimpara · PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção · Global

This case study analyzed two agricultural living labs, VivAgriLab in France and AgroLab Uniandes in Colombia, to understand their adaptation possibilities for Brazilian university campuses. VivAgriLab effectively integrates civil society with academic research for ecological and food transitions. AgroLab Uniandes facilitates knowledge integration and high-tech solutions, but raises concerns about accessibility and scalability for small-scale farmers, potentially widening the gap between advanced and traditional practices.

Songül Kesen, Eda Elgin Kılıç · Özgür Yayınları eBooks · Global

Sustainable food is a concept integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions to ensure food system sustainability. It aims to reduce environmental impacts, ensure food security, and promote healthy nutrition, often associated with plant-based diets. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) models have potential to strengthen local food systems and environmental sustainability by encouraging local community participation in agricultural production.

Birgit Hoinle · Global Environment · Colombia (Bogotá)

This study explores the relevance of Buen Vivir (good living) for urban spaces and its practical manifestations in urban-gardening contexts in Bogotá, Colombia. Based on eighteen months of fieldwork inspired by participatory action research, it shows how urban agroecological initiatives create spaces for Buen Vivir within urban areas. The study discusses the potential and limitations of such projects, which contribute to balanced nature-society relations and decolonise urban spaces.

Dennis Raphael · Policy Press eBooks · Global

This chapter documents the growth of charitable non-governmental responses to food insecurity in Canada and the UK, including food banks and community gardens. It argues that these responses are problematic because they fail to address the economic and political causes of food insecurity. Further failures include the stigma experienced by food bank users and the false belief that food insecurity is being resolved.

RENÉ DAVIDS · Cogent Arts and Humanities · Global

This paper argues for creating a connected network of farms within and on top of existing urban buildings to address increasing food demand and limited land resources. It highlights urban farming's benefits, including enhanced food security, public health, reduced transportation pollution, urban heat island mitigation, improved water retention, and biodiversity fostering. The paper notes that current research on urban agriculture's impact on city design is insufficient, and proposes this approach based on an examination of historical and contemporary urban projects.

Alex Toth · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · Global

This paper argues that adopting urban agroecological strategies rooted in biomimicry can significantly enhance resilience to geoeconomic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and environmental shocks. Urban agroecology is presented as a scalable and context-sensitive pillar for building more resilient and self-sustaining food systems. The paper explores how a biomimetic approach to urban agriculture can serve as a strategic mechanism for food security, particularly in urbanized and geopolitically sensitive regions.

Sudan Prasad Uprety, Tobin Hindle · Himalayan Biodiversity · Nepal

A study of 245 respondents from Chitwan, Dhading, and Rasuwa districts in Nepal identified major drivers of food system changes. These drivers included a lack of agricultural labor, insufficient government support, crop damage by wildlife, land abandonment, and shifts in occupation. Additionally, increased outmigration from rural to urban areas, climate change, and improved access to markets and processed foods were noted as significant factors influencing food systems in these districts.

Jairo Guzman-Molina, Ramoudane Orou Sannou, Serena Caucci · Journal of Urban Management · Global

This review explores the socioecological drivers and challenges of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) using multiple framework assessments: sustainability, resilience, cultural ecosystem services, and Nexus, following PRISMA guidelines. Global case studies demonstrated practical UPA applications, and a SWOT analysis categorized indicators from the four frameworks. Findings underscored the vital role of advanced technology, knowledge sharing, and resource management in UPA's performance, and that UPA enhances education, urban aesthetics, and health. Challenges included a lack of materials, disempowerment, inadequate institutional support, and resource mismanagement leading to food contamination in cases like Kampala.