Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
455 results(8 / 19)
La huerta escolar bajo un enfoque agroecológico de sostenibilidad ambiental y el conocimiento nutricional estudiantil
2022Jilmar Gustavo Comas Piñere · GACETA DE PEDAGOGÍA · Global
This article, based on a qualitative documentary design, explores the agroecological school garden as a pedagogical scenario to strengthen learning and address environmental sustainability issues. The study aimed to highlight the importance of the educational process in improving student nutrition and quality of life. It concludes that establishing school gardens as an integral "learning by doing" strategy is crucial across all knowledge areas and educational levels.
Food educationHealthCommunityOrganic cycleInvestigating Farmer Perspectives and Compost Application for Soil Management in Urban Agriculture in Mwanza, Tanzania
2022Shefaza Esmail, Maren Oelbermann · Frontiers in Soil Science · Tanzania (Mwanza)
This study investigated farmer perspectives and compost application for soil management in urban agriculture in Mwanza, Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews with 34 urban farmers revealed concerns about climate change and unpredictable rain, with 82% desiring soil improvements. A field trial showed that organic amendments (poultry manure and food waste compost) improved soil water holding capacity by 14-19% and enhanced microbial biomass 1.7-4 times compared to inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, with comparable crop productivity.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityClimate changePerformance of Ecologically Friendly Coir Grow Bags for Improving the Plant Root Architecture with Enhancement in Growth and Yield
2022Abhishek C, Soumya T V, V. Ajith · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This study evaluated the effect of coir grow bags as an alternative to plastic grow bags on plant growth and yield. Seedlings of amaranthus, tomato, brinjal, chilli, herbs, medicinal plants, and ornamental plants were transplanted into coir grow bags and synthetic grow bags for comparison. Results showed that plants grown in coir grow bags exhibited higher yield and plant height, along with noticeable improvements in visual plant condition, compared to those in synthetic grow bags.
DIYOrganic cycleClimate changeEnvironmental Impacts of Egg Production from a Life Cycle Perspective
2022Aurore Guillaume, Anna Hubatová-Vacková, Vladimír Kočí · Agriculture · Czech Republic
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed on several egg-producing subjects in the Czech Republic, representing four main laying systems (enriched cages, barns, free-range, and organic), which were also compared to a community garden system. The study's results suggest that feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed composition, and manure management are the most important factors influencing the total environmental impacts of eggs. Additionally, environmental benefits linked to outdoor access or using organic feed over conventional were observed.
CommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeGreen Guerillas, Seed Bombs, and Granite Gardens
2022Setha Low · · Global
This chapter examines environmental sustainability and the greening of public spaces in Paris and New York City, tracing the history and impact of interventions like community gardens, urban agriculture, and sustainable parks. These initiatives contribute to ecological sustainability by fostering stronger communities, supporting social reproduction, and promoting environmental justice. The study highlights how human ecological planning and ecosystem services assessments provide scientific strategies for enhancing sustainability in public space design.
CommunityBiodiversityOrganic cyclePolicyCommunity Research Extension Continuum in Urban Agriculture in an Urban Barangay of Northern Philippines
2022Mary Ann N Daculog, Thea P Suaco, Romalyn D Parado · Advances in Agriculture Horticulture and Entomology · Philippines (Baguio City)
This study analyzed the chemical properties of soil in Barangay Lucnab, Baguio City, Philippines, focusing on macronutrient and micronutrient presence. Findings revealed low soil moisture content (27.26% to 33.60%) and strongly acidic pH levels (4.1 to 4.83). Organic matter content was also low (2.71% to 3.45%), suggesting that the soil's acidity may impact nutrient availability and solubility, thereby reducing harvest and productivity.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceSerre en toiture : Une Perspective Financière
2022Scattareggia, Florent, Ancion, Nicolas, Jijakli, Haissam, Crutzen, Nathalie · Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Liège) · Global
This article discusses rooftop greenhouses (RTGs) as a potential solution to global land consumption and increasing food demand. RTGs utilize existing urban roof space, avoiding competition for land, and can form synergies with supporting buildings by using waste heat, CO2, urine, and rainwater, offering environmental benefits. Additionally, urban farming, including RTGs, can provide employment and educational opportunities in urban areas.
Climate changeEconomicsFood educationOrganic cycleProductive Blue-Green Roofs for Stormwater Management
2022Kristiina Valter · Green Energy and Environmental Technology · Global
This paper describes productive blue-green roofs for stormwater management, highlighting features important for sustained environmental benefits. It explains that blue roofs use retention layers to delay or retain stormwater, and combining them with green roofs allows for growing edible crops, offering synergistic benefits. The paper presents case studies and testbeds of various blue and green roof sublayer combinations with edible and non-edible plants, considering design parameters and monitoring systems.
DIYClimate changeOrganic cycleLegacy Lead in Urban Garden Soils: Communicating Risk and Limiting Exposure
2022Anna Paltseva, Zhongqi Cheng, Murray B. McBride, Maha Deeb, Sara Perl Egendorf, Peter M. Groffman · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Global
This synthesis paper summarizes current scientific knowledge on lead (Pb) contamination in urban garden soils and provides clear recommendations for assessing actual health risks and limiting exposure. Urban garden soils often contain elevated levels of Pb, mainly from legacy sources, which is a main barrier for urban gardening. Amendments are noted as unreliable for treating contaminated soils to reduce risk, as they do not always make contaminants less harmful.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleCommunityBalancing urban agriculture with sustaining ecosystem services
2022Monika Egerer, Brenda B. Lin · CABI Reviews · Global
This review evaluated ecosystem services (ES) within urban agriculture (UA) systems and the trade-offs between these services. Urban agriculture provides many benefits and environmental services such as food provision, social cohesion, and climate regulation. However, it was shown that management decisions can create trade-offs between ecosystem services, where an increase in one service may potentially reduce the system's ability to provide another service at a desired level.
Environmental trade-offsBiodiversityClimate changeCommunityOrganic cycleDevelopment of a Process for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Using Moringa oleifera for Pathogens and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Inhibition under Tropical Conditions
2022Nini Sané, Malick Mbengué, Amandine Laffite, Serge Stoll, John Poté, Philippe Le Coustumer · Water · Global
This study developed a wastewater treatment plant prototype coupled with Moringa oleifera seeds to reduce fecal indicator bacteria and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in domestic wastewater. The prototype alone reduced bacteria by 99.34%. The addition of Moringa oleifera seeds achieved high removal rates for E. coli (36.6–78.8%), fecal coliform (28.3–84.6%), Vibrio cholera (35.3–95.6%), and total flora (32.1–92.4%). For antibiotic-resistant bacteria, removal rates were up to 98% for E. coli and fecal coliform, 100% for Vibrio cholera, and 91.96% for total flora.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleEffects of Plant Spacing with Companion Plants on Growth and Fruit Quality of Cherry Tomatoes
2022Byoung-Kwon Lee, Hyung-Kwon Yun, In-Kyoung Hong, Young-Bin Jung, Sangmi Lee, Sang-Deok Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study investigated the effects of French marigold, zinnia, spearmint, and basil as companion plants at 10, 20, and 40 cm spacing on cherry tomato growth and fruit quality. Statistical differences were found in stem thickness and total number of fruits per plant, but not in plant height, total fresh weight of fruits, sugar content, fruit hardness, or vitamin C. Stem thickness decreased when spearmint and basil were planted at 20 cm or 40 cm compared to the control, and only zinnia at 40 cm increased the total number of fruits per plant.
DIYFood educationOrganic cyclePivotal role of municipal wastewater resource recovery facilities in urban agriculture: A review
2022Jiefu Wang, Yuepeng Sun, Kang Xia, Allison Deines, Ross Cooper, Karen Pallansch, Zhi‐Wu Wang · Water Environment Research · Global
This review examines the potential pivotal role of Urban Water Resource Reclamation Facilities (WRRFs) in sustainable urban agriculture. It highlights that reclaimed water can offer higher quality and less variable supply than other sources, while biosolids from wastewater treatment can be used as fertilizers or soil amendments. Additionally, WRRFs can produce renewable electricity, heat, CO2, and bioplastics, serving as essential resources for urban agriculture operations.
Organic cycleClimate changeUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceStrategic Development of Primary School Garden Education Based on the PEST Analysis of Organophonico in Cuba
2022Nam-Gyeong Gim, Nam-gyeong Gim · The Jounal of Cultural Exchange · Cuba
This study explored strategic methods for effective school garden operation in elementary schools, focusing on Cuba's organopónico system. It conducted a PEST analysis of organopónico to extract technological strengths relevant to school garden education and a SWOT analysis of domestic elementary school gardens from an operational perspective. Findings suggest organopónico offers solutions for limited space through cantero farming and highlights organic farming using living organisms as a key method for strategic linkage in school gardens.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleRooftop Greenhouse: (2) Analysis of Thermal Energy Loads of a Building-Integrated Rooftop Greenhouse (BiRTG) for Urban Agriculture
2022Uk-Hyeon Yeo, Sang‐Yeon Lee, Se‐Jun Park, Jun‐Gyu Kim, Jeong-Hwa Cho, Cristina Decano-Valentin, Rack-woo Kim, In-Bok Lee · Agriculture · Global
This study analyzed the energy-saving efficiency of Building-integrated Rooftop Greenhouses (BiRTGs) for urban agriculture using building energy simulations (BES) combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For growing tomatoes, the annual energy load in a BiRTG was 464,673 MJ, representing an average 5.2% reduction compared to a single-span greenhouse (490,128 MJ). Energy savings were observed from October to April due to heat transfer from the building, and implementing alternating air temperature management (ATM) from November to March further reduced heating energy loads, yielding average energy savings of 11.8%.
Climate changeEconomicsOrganic cycleProdução de húmus líquido com diferentes solventes e proporções, para uso na arborização e agricultura urbana e periurbana
2022Eleano Rodrigues da Silva, Sônia Sena Alfaia, Marta Iria da Costa Ayres, S. G. A. de Sousa, Robert Corrêa Rodrigues · Concilium · Global
This study investigated the production of liquid humus (HL) using different solvents and proportions for use in urban and peri-urban afforestation and agriculture. Nutrient content and concentrations, yields, and the odor and appearance of the residue were analyzed. Results indicated that the odor in all HL samples was very mild, practically odorless, allowing their use in urban areas. From the chemical compositions of the analyzed products, it was inferred that HL has potential for use in urban agricultural practices, possibly contributing to improving soil cation exchange capacity (CTC).
Organic cycleCompostPeri-urban agricultureMaking Green(s) With Black and White: Constructing Soils for Urban Agriculture Using Earthworms, Organic and Mineral Wastes
2022José Hilario Rocha Araujo, A. Pando-Bahuon, C. Hartmann, H. Aroui-Boukbida, Thierry Desjardins, Thomas Z. Lerch · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Global
This study evaluated the possibility of growing green vegetables on soils made from excavated deep horizon soils and green waste compost. Over three seasons, the effects of different amounts of compost (10, 20, and 30%) and the addition of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) on the production of lettuce, arugula, and spinach were tested in situ. The results demonstrated that it is possible to reuse urban mineral and organic wastes to engineer soils adapted to agriculture. Higher doses of compost significantly increased plant biomass, especially when earthworms were introduced.
CompostOrganic cycleEffect of Substrate Type and Fertilizing Management Programs on Yield and Nitrate Content of Both Molokhia and Spinach Grown on Rooftops in Egypt
2022· Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research · Egypt
Two experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 on a rooftop garden in Giza, Egypt, to investigate the effect of substrate type and fertilizing programs on molokhia and spinach yield and nitrate content. Substrate S1 (50% perlite: 50% peat moss) was found more suitable for high yield. While chemical nutrient solution (CNS) alone resulted in the highest yield, the combination of S1 and CNS followed by compost tea for 5 days before harvest (CNS+5) was most suitable for high yield with lower nitrate accumulation.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleHealthEffects of Agrivoltaic Systems on the Surrounding Rooftop Microclimate
2022Jerome Wei Chiang Teng, Chew Beng Soh, Shiddalingeshwar Channabasappa Devihosur, Ryan Hong Soon Tay, Steve Kardinal Jusuf · Sustainability · Global
This study investigated the effects of agrivoltaic systems on rooftop microclimates and PV efficiency. ENVI-met simulations showed that PV temperatures in plots with crops below the PV system were 2.83 °C lower on sunny days and 0.71 °C lower on cloudy days, leading to a 1.13–1.42% and 0.28–0.35% improvement in PV efficiency, respectively. Data from a physical prototype indicated that evaporative cooling reduced ambient temperatures, with the agrivoltaic system generating 3.05–3.2% more energy daily compared to a control without crops.
Climate changeDIYOrganic cycleDigital agricultureThe Role of Allotment Gardens for Connecting Nature and People
2022Petra Schneider, Tino Fauk · · Global
A study based on a literature review and field survey conducted from 2017 to 2020 in Ecuador, Germany, Sweden, Uganda, and Vietnam, examined the role of allotment gardens (AGs) in connecting nature and people. Allotment gardens provide substantial urban ecosystem services, contribute to habitat connectivity, and significantly impact human health. Beyond food production and recreation, they offer crucial benefits for public health, wellbeing, social inclusion, the environment, and serve as cultural archives, with their intrinsic purpose being connectivity for habitats, people, ecosystem services, and circular flux management.
CommunityBiodiversityHealthOrganic cycleUrban Agriculture as an Alternative for the Sustainable Production of Maize and Peanut
2022José Luis Villalpando, Daniel Francisco Chi-Maas, Itzel López‐Rosas, Víctor Ángel Aquino-Luna, Jesús Arreola-Enríquez, Julia Cristel Alcudia-Pérez, Gilberto Matos-Pech, Roberto Carlos Gómez-García, Jesús Froylán Martínez-Puc, William Cetzal‐Ix · Agriculture · Global
This study evaluated a backyard system using 50cm × 50cm pinewood boxes for maize and peanut over nine months. Approximately 213 kg of organic residues were converted into 300 kg of mature compost, and plant development was compared between compost and control conditions. Correlation analyses of morphological properties showed that nutrient effects were positively associated with crop morphology, with maize yields of 9 kg/m2 in compost conditions and 6.6 kg/m2 in control, and peanut yields of 184 g/m2 in compost and 73 g/m2 in control.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleMetagenomics: A Tool for Exploring Key Microbiome With the Potentials for Improving Sustainable Agriculture
2022Blessing Chidinma Nwachukwu, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This review explores metagenomic techniques for studying plant root-associated microbiota and microbial ecology, highlighting their role in understanding and improving crop yields in rural and urban agriculture. Metagenomics, a non-culture approach, enables the identification of unculturable microorganisms and their functional traits. A detailed understanding of these organisms and their interactions can facilitate improved plant growth and sustainable crop production.
Organic cycleBiodiversityDigital agricultureA Novel Green Alternative for a Room Prototype Constructed with Entire Recycled PET Bottles and a Green Roof Composed of Waste Materials
2021· Applied Sciences · Global
Proposes a prototype room for low-income users enabling self-construction and upcycling of widely available waste materials, including a green roof of waste materials, with mechanical tests on filled PET bottles and PET-bottle/concrete blocks.
DIYOrganic cycleClosed-Loop Biodigesters on Small-Scale Farms in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review
2021Kulkarni I., Zang J., Leandro W., Parikh P., Adler I., Da Fonseca-Zang W., Campos L. · Water · Low- and middle-income countries (review)
A review of closed-loop biodigesters on small-scale farms in low- and middle-income countries, converting organic waste into energy and nutrient-rich digestate fertilizer integrated with food production.
Organic cycleFood lossEconomicsClosing Water Cycles in the Built Environment through Nature-Based Solutions: The Contribution of Vertical Greening Systems and Green Roofs
2021David Pearlmutter, Bernhard Pucher, Cristina Sousa Coutinho Calheiros, Karin A. Hoffmann, Andreas Aicher, Pedro Pinho, Alessandro Stracqualursi, Alisa Koroļova, Alma Pobrić, Ana Galvão, Ayça Tokuç, Bilge Baş, Dimitra Theochari, Dragan Milošević, Emanuela Giancola, Gaetano Bertino, Joana Castellar, Julia Flaszynska, Makbulenur Onur, Mari Carmen Garcia Mateo, Maria Beatrice Andreucci, Maria Milousi, Mariana Fonseca, Sara Di Lonardo, Veronika Gežík, Ulrike Pitha, Thomas Nehls · Water · Global
This paper proposes a new paradigm for closing urban water cycles using nature-based solutions, specifically green roofs and vertical greening systems (VGS). Simulations of VGS evapotranspiration performance in six cities (Copenhagen, Berlin, Lisbon, Rome, Istanbul, Tel Aviv) showed that VGS could recycle 44% (Lisbon) to 100% (Berlin, Istanbul) of rainwater roof runoff, with greywater bridging dry month shortages. Additionally, 27–53% of building greywater could be managed on greened surfaces.
Organic cycleClimate changePeri-urban agriculture