Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
5543 results(8 / 222)
Cultivating together: unearthing the transformative potential of community gardening as prefigurative collective action in Ljubljana
2026Blaž Križnik, Laura Mittermaier · Local Environment · Slovenia (Ljubljana)
This study examined the Onkraj gradbišča community garden in Ljubljana to understand how community gardening enables transformative social change and how institutional support affects it. Findings showed the garden fostered inner transformation, collective leadership, community capacity building, and some scaling strategies. However, scaling up strategies were ineffective, and the absence of institutional support limited the impact on governance, suggesting the garden's transformative potential for urban sustainability transitions was limited.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyClimate changeUrban agriculture as an interface for policy–practice integration: a landscape-informed, multi-layer framework across Havana, New York city and Chongming Island
2026Yu Huan, Steffen Nijhuis, Nico Tillie · Landscape and Urban Planning · Global
This study developed a landscape-informed coupling framework and content-analysis pipeline to evaluate urban agriculture policy-practice alignment in Havana, New York City, and Chongming Island. A PRISMA-ScR literature synthesis (n=3145) informed a five-domain, 40-keyword evaluation matrix applied to policy documents. Findings indicate human-centered approaches effectively address social equity and food provisioning but have limited spatial integration, while nature-based approaches advance ecological targets but underperform on participation. The landscape-informed model achieved more balanced alignment across domains, though inter-layer connectivity gaps remain.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceDesign as a tool for experiential food education: Research into practice through a proximity-based therapeutic garden
2026Anna C. Catania, Carmen Trischitta · Design Studies · Italy
This paper examined the role of design as a catalyst in experiential food education through the Curortò project, a therapeutic garden established within the G. Di Cristina Children's Hospital. Employing a participatory action research methodology, the project involved hospitalized children, healthcare professionals, educators, and local community actors in a collaborative design process. Detailed observation, field diaries, and qualitative interviews provided evidence of significant improvements in children's understanding of seasonal food cycles, resource management, and circular economy principles, accompanied by reduced stress levels and increased operational autonomy.
Food educationHealthCommunityOrganic cycleEmploying the structural equation modeling in assessing urban farming innovation adoption: examining urban society’s acceptance of the theory of planned behavior and technology acceptance model frameworks
2026E. T. Yuniarsih, M Salam, Muhammad Hatta Jamil, A. Nixia Tenriawaru · Frontiers in Sociology · Indonesia (Makassar)
This study investigated factors influencing the adoption of urban farming technologies in Makassar City, Indonesia, by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Primary data were collected from 346 respondents across 15 subdistricts using a questionnaire survey and analyzed with PLS-SEM. Results indicated that knowledge, subjective norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use significantly influenced the intention to adopt urban farming.
Digital agricultureCommunityEconomicsPlural pathways to food systems change
2026Alissa Overend, Sheena Rossiter, Josie Moises · Canadian Food Studies / La Revue canadienne des études sur l alimentation · Canada (Alberta)
This research provides a comparative content analysis of 141 alternative food networks (AFNs) in Alberta, Canada, contributing to discussions on food systems change. It examines the programming and initiatives of these AFNs to analyze their potential for instilling food systems change. The study argues for a nuanced understanding of AFNs, focusing on their hybridity, complexity, and diversity, rather than binary classifications.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityCSA & TeikeiFORMAL MATHEMATICS AND ETHNOMATHEMATICS IN THE PRODUCTION OF URBAN COMMUNITY GARDENS
2026João Paulo Moreira dos Santos, Luis Carlos Rodrigues da Mata, Maria Clara da Cunha Carvalho, Gabrielly Rodrigues de Araújo, Robério Soares dos Santos, Maria Eduarda Santiago de Araujo, Iraneide Da Cunha Santiago, Edinalva Pereira Campos, José Gustavo Santiago Santos · Journal of Interdisciplinary Debates · Brazil (José de Freitas)
This qualitative case study in José de Freitas, Brazil, analyzed mathematical rationalities in urban community gardens, using participant observation, interviews, and field notes. It found that farmers use ethnomathematical knowledge for spatial organization, soil management, and commercialization. However, these practices showed limitations when confronted with institutional demands for standardization, highlighting a need for critical articulation with formal mathematics.
Methodological critiqueCommunityDIYEconomicsAvaliação parasitológica e microbiológica de hortaliças submetidas à sanitização com hipoclorito de sódio
2026Threice Natália Ribeiro Pexe, Julia Yumi Muraoka, Fabiana Cristina Donofrio, Cibele Bonacorsi · Scientific Electronic Archives · Brazil (Sinop)
Parasitological and microbiological evaluation was conducted on 40 vegetable samples (watercress, lettuce, chicory, kale, escarole, arugula, parsley) randomly selected from supermarkets, open-air markets, and a community garden in Sinop, Brazil. Before treatment, 12 out of 40 (30.0%) vegetable samples were contaminated with enteroparasites, and all 40 showed microbial growth, with 3 (7.5%) containing Escherichia coli. After sanitization with sodium hypochlorite, parasitic forms were absent, but high initial contamination was confirmed.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityDACHA AS A SOCIO-SPATIAL PHENOMENON
2026Olha Liubitseva, Іryna Kоchetkova · GEOGRAPHY AND TOURISM · Europe
This article aims to elaborate the concept of "dacha" as a scientific category with a socio-spatial essence and to demonstrate the role of dacha practices as micro-scale nature use and a specific form of urban population spatial behavior. Based on the study of the genesis and axiology of dachas as a social phenomenon, various forms of active recreational activity of the urban population, combining leisure in a natural environment with agricultural activities (including urban allotments, community gardens, dachas, and "second homes"), were identified. Essential differences between these forms were established through the application of theories such as everyday life, spatial identity, and the appropriation of space.
CommunityUrban–rural linkageAnalysis of food security and the strategic role of women: A comparative study of rural and suburban areas in Indonesia
2026Natta Sanjaya, Suci Iriani Sinuraya, Matheus Gratiano Mali, Anton Purwadi, Aenur Rif'an · Multidisciplinary Science Journal · Indonesia
This qualitative comparative study in Sleman Regency and Magelang Regency, Indonesia, analyzed food security conditions and the strategic role of women using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document studies. Magelang Regency demonstrated superior food availability but faced significant challenges in economic access due to poverty, while Sleman Regency excelled in food access but experienced vulnerability in local availability due to massive agricultural land conversion. Women's roles differed according to regional context, with on-farm activities predominant in rural Magelang and off-farm roles including home-garden utilization in suburban Sleman.
Peri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityConnecting People to Nature through Food
2026Shannon Bull, Hailey Gunther, Jessie Pilarcek, Natalie Maurer · Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College) · Global
This synthesis project, developed from the Cardinal Experience course, explores connecting people to nature through the lens of food. It examines four key areas: food insecurity, sustainability and stewardship, community gardens, and the cultural and social dimensions of food. The project's final deliverable is a comprehensive informational brochure illustrating how these themes intersect to foster a stronger connection between people and nature.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceHealthStrategi Adaptasi Petani Perkotaan Melalui Pemanfaatan Media Hidroponik di Kota Semarang
2026Ivan Adidharma Riswandaputra, Nugroho Trisnu Brata · Jurnal Ekologi Masyarakat dan Sains · Indonesia (Semarang)
This study in Semarang City, Indonesia, analyzed the utilization of hydroponic systems by urban farmers engaged in commercial cultivation. Hydroponics serves as an adaptive strategy to address land scarcity, enhancing spatial efficiency, increasing cultivated plant numbers, and improving crop quality. However, implementing hydroponic systems faces challenges including relatively high initial investment costs, the need for meticulous and consistent maintenance, and consumer markets that differ from conventional agriculture.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceA framework for strategic transformation of vacant lots for heat resilience
2026Saeideh Sobhaninia, Patricia Solis, Ebenezer N. K. Boateng, Isaac Buo · Journal of Environmental Management · Global
This study developed the Heat-Strategic Vacant Parcel Conversion (HSVPC) framework to guide the transformation of urban vacant lots into green spaces for heat resilience. The framework considers zoning, land use, and ownership to identify suitable sites. Applying it to real-world data, simulations showed that converting vacant parcels into green spaces, such as through tree planting, could reduce urban heat by up to 6.44°C Mean Radiant Temperature overall and 4.87°C at peak heat, especially benefiting vulnerable neighborhoods.
CommunityClimate changePolicyEveryday Urbanism in Lithuanian towns: the case of old community gardens in Grigiškės and Plungė
2026Adomas Gedvilas, Dovilė Krupickaitė · Journal of Architecture and Urbanism · Lithuania
This paper examines old community gardens in Grigiškės and Plungė, Lithuania, as examples of Everyday Urbanism, using literature, data, maps, and interviews. The study found that these gardens, established informally on vacant land during the socialist period, are not officially recognized and their future development may differ due to varying local government attitudes. This highlights the need for a more flexible approach to their preservation and integration into urban planning.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageSocio-economic Factors Influencing Marketing Practices and Opportunities for the Smallholder Pig Farming Enterprise in the Cape Metropole District, South Africa
2026R.M. MATHOBELA, O.C. Chikwanha, C.L.F. Katiyatiya, A.H. Molotsi, M.C. Marufu, P.E. Strydom, C. Mapiye · Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir landbouvoorligting/South African journal of agricultural extension · South Africa
A survey of 160 pig farmers in five suburbs of the Cape Metropole District, South Africa, analyzed the impact of socio-economic factors on marketing practices and challenges. Key challenges included slow pig growth rates (54% of respondents), scarcity of production inputs (25%), and difficulty finding marketing information (20%). The study found that women, older farmers, and those with less experience or education were more likely to face challenges and fail to adopt sustainable marketing practices.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityWelfareSystemic operative framework to support the integration of urban agriculture and socio-ecological resilience in informal settlements: A dynamic urban metabolism approach to food security
2026Alejandra Acevedo-De-los-Ríos, Anna Dyson, Damien Claeys, Úrsula Cárdenas‐Mamani · Ecological Modelling · Peru (Lima)
This study developed a four-stage diagnostic-to-simulation framework to integrate urban agriculture (UA) and socio-ecological resilience in informal settlements, calibrated for Ciudad de Gosen, Lima, Peru (6300 inhabitants). Simulation results indicate that rooftop and unbuilt-land cultivation can meet household vegetable and fruit demand, biodigestion can supply 17–52% of energy needs, and greywater reuse can sustain approximately 77% of irrigation. Governance reforms and land tenure security were identified as primary accelerators for UA adoption and improved food security.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyClimate changePráticas pedagógicas para o desenvolvimento da consciência ecológica entre crianças e adolescentes
2026Cledir Aparecida Gottwitz, Franciele Foschiera Camboin · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Global
This study analyzed pedagogical practices aimed at developing ecological awareness among children and adolescents in basic education through a literature review of school experiences. Practical activities, school gardens, and interdisciplinary projects were identified as strategies that enhance student participation and strengthen their sense of environmental responsibility. The findings indicate that integrating scientific knowledge with everyday experiences is essential for establishing continuous environmental education.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeReframing Agricultural Extension in Urban Sustainability: The Role of Extension Agents in Strengthening Women-Led Urban Farming Institutions
2026Unang, Tedi Hartoyo · Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research · Indonesia (Bekasi City)
This study used a descriptive quantitative approach to examine how agricultural extension contributes to institutional development in KWT Sahabat Sampah, a women-led urban farming group in Bekasi City, Indonesia. Data were collected from all 35 members via structured questionnaires, field observation, and interviews with the extension agent. Results indicated that extension support was consistently rated high across six dimensions, especially facilitation, and institutional development indicators were strong, but economic sustainability remained constrained. A significant association (ρ = 0.678, p < 0.01) was found between extension intensity and institutional development.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyModificações na Paisagem: Impactos sociais e climáticos
2026Henrique Freitas Ferreira Reis, Ana Lorena Demarques Moura, Maria Rita Scotti Muzzi, Eleonora Sad de Assis · RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber · Brazil (Belo Horizonte)
This work analyzed the relationship between urban densification and microclimatic impacts, focusing on the Confisco neighborhood in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which is susceptible to heatwaves, landslides, and food insecurity by 2030. A systematic literature review of 33 sources evaluated the feasibility of implementing green roofs as a nature-based solution to mitigate climate extremes and promote food security through urban gardens. Results indicate green infrastructure reduces surface temperatures by up to 10.46°C and retains up to 90% of stormwater runoff, while socially strengthening psychosocial resilience and food sovereignty among low-income families.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityGentrificación y la etnogénesis de la colonialidad: su antagonismo en la interculturalidad en la Cuidad de Cayambe
2026Eduardo José Terán Duque · Revista Multidisciplinar Epistemología de las Ciencias · Ecuador (Cayambe)
This article examines sociocultural issues in indigenous communities in Cayambe, Ecuador, caused by gentrification. The study, using situated ethnography, cultural cartography, life stories, and body biographies, found that urban renewal for higher-income residents marginalizes ancestral practices like community gardens and leads to the loss of community autonomy and traditions. Regressive ethnogenesis renders indigenous existence invisible and produces epistemic violence, reducing collective activities to social entertainment.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceFactors Affecting Adoption of Systematic Household Waste Management, Waste Composting and Homestead Farming in Bharatpur, Janakpur and Pokhara
2026Sharad Sharma, Gita Kumari Shah, Arjun Aryal, Bipan Bahadur Tiwari, Bharat Khanal · Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Sciences · Nepal
The SOLID Health project by Nepal Development Society (NeDS) promoted household waste management and homestead farming in Bharatpur, Janakpur, and Pokhara, Nepal, from 2021 to 2024. A survey of 348 households found that 81% practiced either rooftop or kitchen gardening, with rooftop farming most prevalent in Pokhara (64%) and kitchen gardening in Bharatpur (71%). The project led to a 69% change in knowledge and attitude towards waste management and a 39% overall increase in home composting practice. Socio-demographic factors like education level, income, and land availability significantly influenced adoption, with higher education and larger homestead land areas linked to greater practice of kitchen gardening and rooftop farming.
CompostDIYCommunityFood educationEntrepreneurial risk factors affecting decision-making and income generation in urban agriculture for households: a case of farmers in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
2026S.Z Ndwalane, J.M Thamaga-Chitja, T.O Ojo · Urban Transitions · South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)
In Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, data was collected from 78 farmers to evaluate the impact of entrepreneurial risk on decision-making and income generation in urban agriculture. Results indicated that factors such as age, education, water quality, production risk, market price risk, and psychological capital significantly influenced household participation in urban agriculture and decision-making. The study concluded that farmers lacked motivation, which affected their income-generating capacity.
EconomicsCommunitySocio-economic contributions and challenges of urban agriculture practice in Ethiopia
2026Ashagrie Gibtan, Wondwosen Abera, Mekuria Delelegn, Molla Maru, Adamu Teferi · Journal of Urbanism International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability · Ethiopia
A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in five urban centers of Ethiopia, involving 385 urban agriculture practitioners, to assess the socio-economic contributions and challenges of urban agriculture. The study analyzed data using descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model. It found that urban agriculture significantly contributes to enhancing food security and incomes for practitioners, but also revealed that finance, technologies, water, and land are hindering factors for its practice in Ethiopia.
EconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityHeal
2026Carolyn Schuyler, Dorothy Ibes · · Global
This chapter explores ecotherapy as a therapeutic intervention to promote mental wellness, emphasizing emotional regulation and neuroplasticity. It presents evidence-based practices such as grounding exercises, sensory immersion, nature art, visualization techniques, and biophilic design strategies that may activate the parasympathetic nervous system and support brain health. The content integrates research on nature connectedness with practical applications for classroom settings, clinical treatment plans, workplace wellness programs, and neighborhood initiatives. Activities require minimal equipment and adapt to solo or group formats.
HealthCommunityBiodiversityPemanfaatan Lahan Perkotaan untuk Memaksimalkan Lahan Perkotaan yang Terbatas Bersama Ibu-Ibu PKK
2026Dimas Aditiya, Lili Dasa Putri, Solfema Solfema · Edukasi Elita Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan · Indonesia
This literature review examines hydroponics as a solution to urban agricultural land shrinkage, citing a drastic reduction in rice fields in Sukawati District, Bali, from 497.24 Ha in 1985 to 211.42 Ha in 2016. It focuses on hydroponic training for housewives, which led to the establishment of a communal hydroponic garden and individual plans for independent hydroponic cultivation, demonstrating its success in improving food security.
DIYCommunityFood educationWelfareFrom Impact Accounting to Accounting for the Loops: Activating Sustainable Communities for Climate Action
2026Dario Cottafava, Francesco Marengo, Giuseppe Emiliano Di Martino, Laura Corazza · Business Strategy and the Environment · Global
This study introduced a social impact accounting framework, "accounting for the loops," for sustainability education for climate action (SECA), applying it to a university-led community garden case study. It found that a sense of belonging and personal recognition activate positive reinforcing loops. However, project size and community autonomy counterintuitively triggered balancing loops, leading to increased bureaucratic obstacles and institutional support needs, which negatively impacted participant motivation.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changeFood educationPolicy