Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
390 results(8 / 16)
The Design of Urban Vertical Farm in Residential Building - A Case Study of Interwoven Residential Complex in Singapore
2024Bin Fang · Art and Design · Singapore
This paper explores the spatial design of urban vertical farms, using a case study of an interwoven residential complex in Singapore. It analyzes the design points of urban vertical farms to expand new functions and design inspiration for urban agricultural architecture. The study aims to address the conflict between urban and agricultural land by integrating agricultural planting buildings into residential complexes.
DIYUrban–rural linkageDigital agricultureMAPEAMENTO E SELEÇÃO DE INDICADORES DE AVALIAÇÃO DA SUSTENTABILIDADE NO CONTEXTO SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO DA AMAZÔNIA
2024Maria Fernanda Coghi, Duarcides Ferreira Mariosa, Orandi Mina Falsarella · · Portugal
This project aimed to develop and install an optimized aquaponics system at the School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP). The three-floor vertical garden includes two tanks with approximately 2,000 liters of water for fish, three flower boxes, and over 120 positions for growing vegetables. Pedagogical activities involving students from various ISEP courses were also developed in conjunction with this project.
Food sovereignty & justiceFood educationDigital agricultureCommunityImplementasi akuaponik sebagai upaya urban farming pada lahan kosong di lingkungan RT9 RW9 Pepelegi Sidoarjo
2024Rizqa Amelia Zunaidi, Aulia Rahma Annisa, Lora Khaula Amifia, Nilna Agnia, Dwi Nur Azizah Hamidah, Nanda Mesa Nur Aryabawa, Dio Ifan Auliya · BEMAS Jurnal Bermasyarakat · Indonesia
This community service activity focused on implementing an integrated aquaponics system and enhancing community competence through training and mentoring in RT09 RW09, Pepelegi Village, Waru District. The project aimed to improve food security for residents and utilize vacant land, which was previously only used for growing vegetables such as basil, spinach, and tomatoes. The output of this activity is the implementation of an integrated aquaponics system and increased community competence.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityDigital agricultureConstruction of “One-Stop” Student Community Labor Education Implementation System Based on “Vertical Farm” —Taking Shenzhen Polytechnic University as an Example
2024Ning Wenyuan · Education Study · China (Shenzhen)
Shenzhen Polytechnic University established a “vertical farm” within its “one-stop” student community to create a labor practice base for students. This system was built through deep cooperation with modern agricultural science and technology enterprises in Shenzhen, close ties with the School of Communication Engineering's advantageous majors, and integration of labor instructor resources. It integrates six labor practice projects, including agricultural production, volunteer service, and environmental construction, offering theory and practice in urban “carbon neutral” strategies and modern agricultural knowledge.
Food educationCommunityDigital agricultureOrganic Farming and Soil Health: The Role of Sustainable Practice
2024Suwa Lal Yadav, Manish Yadav, Devilal Birla, Indra Raj Yadav · · Global
Organic farming is evolving by integrating regenerative techniques, agroecological principles, precision agriculture, and urban farming concepts to meet growing demand for organic products. This approach aims to improve agricultural output, address climate change, manage pests, and optimize resource use, contributing to a sustainable and ethically sound food ecology. The organic industry is projected to grow due to increased consumer awareness and education.
Organic cycleClimate changeDigital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceIndoor urban agriculture: from innovative design experimentation to standardisation
2024Maicol Negrello · TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment · Global
This paper outlines the state of the art in technological innovation and how it, along with design, has reshaped norms in indoor urban agriculture, driven by the need to reconfigure supply models for future climate and demographic scenarios. Technological acceleration over the past decade has led to the emergence of new urban architectures and metabolisms, often created within regulatory gaps and constraints from obsolete zoning plans or building regulations.
Digital agriculturePolicyFuture cities: Designing resilient urban ecosystems with AI-assisted horticultural planning
2024MVV Satyaveni · South Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences · Global
This article explores how AI technologies are reshaping urban green infrastructure and optimizing horticultural planning to address challenges from urbanization and climate change. Using a mixed-methods approach including a literature review (2010-2024), meta-analysis, and case studies, the research found that AI integration improves plant health monitoring, precision irrigation, predictive biodiversity modeling, and spatial planning of green zones. AI also enables real-time responses to climatic shifts, strengthening ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and cooling effects.
Digital agricultureClimate changeBiodiversityPolicyEDUTOURISM AS AN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN KELAN VILLAGE RESILIENT AND PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM VILLAGE
2024Putu Eka Pasmidi Ariati, Dewa Putu Oka Prasiasa, I Ketut Widnyana, I Made Wahyu Wijaya · ICCD · Indonesia
This study addressed the limited economic impact of tourism in Kelan Tourism Village, Bali, due to reliance on external vegetable purchases despite available land. The solution implemented was an edutourism program featuring a Biofloc Aquaponics Integrated Urban Farming Model and Drip Irrigation Vegetable Garden Tilapia, targeting students, tourists, and the community. Implementation led to increased understanding, knowledge, and skills among target groups, and culinary tourism participants experienced increased income from self-produced vegetables, alongside strengthened environmental conservation.
Food educationCommunityDigital agricultureEconomicsThe Disenfranchisement of Practitioners and the Public Sector in Innovative Urban Farming in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from Nigeria
2024Emmanuel Olatunbosun Benjamin, Abiola Adegoke, Gertrud Buchenrieder · Land · Nigeria (Lagos)
This exploratory qualitative research, conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, used focus group discussions to compare the perspectives of private urban farmers and public sector representatives on innovative urban farming. Urban farmers identified a lack of public sector support for circular agri-food technologies, while public sector representatives attributed issues to farmers' behavioral and educational shortcomings, including poor coordination. These differing views highlight complex dynamics and a need for structural changes and stakeholder dialogues to develop effective urban farming policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityDigital agricultureUrban Agriculture and Food Security in Development Planning
2024Paul Teng · Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development · Global
This paper examines urban agriculture's role in national planning, particularly concerning global food security challenges as urban populations grow. It notes that urban and peri-urban agriculture, ranging from community gardens to commercial farms, has seen rapid technological development and private investment, especially since the early 2020s. Beyond economic and food security benefits, urban agriculture also offers environmental and social advantages for cities aiming to reduce their carbon footprints.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityDigital agricultureImplementation system monitoring and control temperature and pH in urban silver catfish hatchery to enhance efficiency and responsiveness based on IoT
2024Firda Rachma Amalia, Syarifuddin Nasution · Jurnal Sistem dan Manajemen Industri · Indonesia (Bogor Regency)
AKA Farm, an urban silver catfish hatchery in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, faced challenges of low efficiency and responsiveness due to complex production processes, leading to suboptimal harvest outcomes. This study developed and implemented an IoT-based monitoring and control system to address water quality conditions, as fluctuations in water temperature and pH impact fish metabolism and survival. The system uses the Blynk application for real-time monitoring and control, with actuators automatically optimizing aquarium conditions when temperature and pH are not optimal, substantially improving silver catfish survival and growth.
Digital agricultureEconomicsUtilization of Media and Institutional Support for Urban Farming in Pekanbaru City
2024Yulia Andriani, Roza Yulida, Rosnita Rosnita, Fanny Septya, Meki Herlon · KnE Social Sciences · Indonesia
A survey in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, identified the use of communication media and institutional support for urban farming among farmer women groups. Farmers demonstrated excellent information access and communication behavior, utilizing smartphones and printed media for farming information. They also received full support from local leaders and the Pekanbaru city government, including regular counseling and urban farming socialization.
PolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureWater Spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) Hydroponic Kratky System at Various Levels of PbSO4 Contamination
2024Nyayu Khodijah, Ratna Santi, Riwan Kusmiadi, Ivan Rismunandar · Jurnal Agritech · Global
This research investigated the effect of nutrient type and lead (Pb) absorption on water spinach growth in a Kratky hydroponic system over 30 days. Plants were exposed to PbSO4 concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L, with standard hydroponic (ABmix) and alternative nutrients. The study found that nutrient type significantly affected most growth parameters, with ABmix performing better than alternative nutrients. Crucially, no growth disturbance was observed due to PbSO4 contamination, and the combination of Pb concentration and nutrient type did not significantly affect growth or production, except for the number of leaves.
Contamination & food safetyHealthDigital agriculturePenerapan Hidroponik Pasang Surut (Ebb-Flow) dengan Teknologi Bell-Siphon untuk Produksi Tanaman Selada yang Ekonomis di Kelurahan Bajubodoa, Kabupaten Maros
2024Nur Annisa, Tri Indriani, Irfan Irfan, Ahmad Anugrah Wahidin, Muhammad Kadir · Jurnal Pelayanan dan Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia
At Inkiya Farm in Bajubodoa village, Maros district, challenges in lettuce production using the NFT system included crop damage or failure due to natural disturbances, limited space, low drought resistance, and suboptimal growth. This activity introduced a Bell-Siphon ebb-flow hydroponic system as a cheaper, environmentally friendly, space-saving, and more optimal plant production solution. The activity provided partners' women members with at least 6 ebb-flow hydroponic units, installation, and training on building the system to increase production, reduce crop failure risk, and improve lettuce production.
Digital agricultureCommunityEconomicsUrban farming with rooftop greenhouses: A systematic literature review
2023Annie Drottberger, Yizhi Zhang, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Marie-Claude Dubois · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · Global
This systematic literature review, based on 45 articles, examined the benefits and challenges of rooftop greenhouse technology. While benefits include optimized land use, increased profitability, good yields, and resource efficiency, the review identified significant challenges. These challenges include additional investment and operational costs, limited availability of flat roofs, and various regulations, which hinder the widespread adoption of rooftop greenhouses.
Economic viabilityClimate changeEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agriculturePrototipe Digital Farming System Untuk Kelompok Tani
2023Novianti Indah Putri, Zen Munawar, Rita Komalasari, Iswanto Iswanto, Hernawati Hernawati, Dandun Widhiantoro · Darma Abdi Karya · Indonesia
A prototype digital farming system was developed for farmer groups in Indonesia, based on participatory action research. This system integrates IoT technologies such as Arduino UNO, solar panels, soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and automated irrigation. The prototype helps monitor and automate routine processes, enabling farmers to maintain the quality of planting media, which was deemed crucial for easier and more efficient plant growth and development.
Digital agricultureDIYUrban–rural linkageCommunityCrop Disease Diagnosis with Deep Learning-Based Image Captioning and Object Detection
2023Dong In Lee, Ji Hwan Lee, Seung Ho Jang, Se Jong Oh, Ill Chul Doo · Applied Sciences · Global
This study proposes a deep learning-based crop disease diagnosis solution for novice urban farmers, integrating Image Captioning and Object Detection models. The Image Captioning model, using InceptionV3 and Transformer, achieved an average BLEU score of 64.96%, demonstrating high performance in generating detailed diagnostic sentences. The Object Detection model, employing YOLOv5, achieved an mAP50 of 0.382, indicating a need for further improvement in detecting infected areas.
Digital agricultureFood educationPemanfaatan Pemasaran Digital sebagai Media Penjualan Produk Pertanian Perkotaan oleh Kelompok Tani Empelan Terbin
2023Kadek Dwi Pradnyani Novianti, Ni Kadek Sukerti · WIDYABHAKTI Jurnal Ilmiah Populer · Indonesia (Denpasar)
This community service activity focused on the Empelan Terbin Farmer Group in Denpasar City, which practices urban agriculture but faces challenges in distributing and selling its produce. The group's agricultural products were often only shared locally or discarded due to excess harvest, indicating a lack of effective sales channels. To address this, the activity provided training and assistance in digital marketing via Facebook to help the group introduce its products to a wider audience and generate profit for sustainable land management.
Economic viabilityDigital agricultureEconomicsCommunityFood lossFAZENDA VERTICAL COMO MODELO SUSTENTÁVEL DE AGRICULTURA URBANA
2023Renata Priore Lima, Lady Laura Soares Gundim · Revista Gestão & Sustentabilidade Ambiental · Brazil (São Paulo)
This study investigates the benefits of vertical farms as a sustainable food production model in cities. Through a literature review and a case study of Pink Farms in São Paulo, Brazil, the results indicate benefits such as energy and land use optimization, but also highlight the ecological, social, and landscape limitations of vertical farms.
Environmental trade-offsDigital agricultureClimate changeEconomicsAssessing urban transformational strategies through innovative farming practices in the Johannesburg city center
2023Adeline Ngie, Nobukhosi Sithole · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · South Africa (Johannesburg)
A study in Johannesburg, South Africa, assessed urban transformational strategies, including rooftop gardening and hydroponic farming, aimed at improving food security and regenerating infrastructure. Using open-ended interviews with stakeholders, findings indicated improved household food security and income generation, but challenges such as soil and water flow for rooftop gardens persist. Hydroponics faced hurdles like energy supply and input costs, though it showed more promise for land and water resource efficiency.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyCommunityDigital agricultureAlgorithmic Food Justice
2023Lara Houston, Sara Heitlinger, Ruth Catlow, Alex Taylor · Policy Press eBooks · United Kingdom (London)
Workshops critically experimented with the possibilities and challenges of blockchain as an infrastructure for food abundance and reparative work, using fictional scenarios set in a London transformed into a city farm by 2025. This experimentation suggested that blockchain presents challenges to such restorative and sustainable work. For participants, reparation involved working in the aftermath of social and environmental collapse to bring into being more-than-human-value systems that radically decentered human knowledge and experience.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityDigital agricultureClimate changeHarmonizing Urbanization and Food Security: A Novel AI-Driven Approach for Sustainable Urban Agriculture
2023Divyam Jindal · International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) · Global
This research introduces an AI-based model that uses satellite imaging, machine learning, and demographic projections to optimize urban agriculture. The model integrates soil analysis, water availability prediction, crop recommendations, and population growth projections for informed decision-making. It aims to optimize land use and balance urbanization, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Digital agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeUrban–rural linkagePerencanaan dan Perancangan “Vertical Urban Farming” di Kota Kupang
2023Theodorus Hugo Carvallo, Richardus Daton, Yuliana Bhara Mberu · Journal of Architecture and Human Experience · Indonesia (Kupang)
This study explored the planning and design of "Vertical Urban Farming" in Kupang City, Indonesia, to address food demand challenges such as climate change, population growth, and land-use changes. According to Riskesdas 2018, the prevalence of stunting in toddlers in East Nusa Tenggara was 42.6%, the highest in Indonesia, prompting the use of new technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Using SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Vertical Urban Farming Center's planning and design were discussed, indicating the area's potential for development.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeDigital agricultureGrowing interiors – cultivating urban biophilic environments
2023Kendra Locklear Ordia · Interiors Design Architecture and Culture · United States (Lincoln)
This essay presents a case study of an indoor vertical farm in the historic urban core of Lincoln, Nebraska, as a form of urban agriculture. It functions as an adaptive reuse model for existing buildings, creating a spatial ecosystem for localized plant-based food production. This approach aims to enhance urban food resiliency and reconnect communities with their food.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityClimate changeDigital agricultureEvaluating the impacts of nutrients recovery from urine wastewater in Building-Integrated Agriculture. A test case study in Amsterdam
2023Michele D’Ostuni, C. Stanghellini, A. Boedijn, Leonardo Zaffi, Giuseppina Pennisi, Francesco Orsini · Sustainable Cities and Society · Netherlands (Amsterdam)
The feasibility of using urine and greywater streams as nutrient solutions in a theoretical model of Building-Integrated Agriculture in Amsterdam was evaluated. Results showed it is feasible to use urine and greywater as nutrient solutions; however, treated urine had higher macronutrient concentrations than literature fertilizer recipes, requiring dilution with increasing amounts of greywater to match N or P concentrations. Consequently, P deficiencies in plants or excessive N concentration were found in the final wastewater-based nutrient solution.
Limited or null effectOrganic cycleDigital agriculture