Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
3701 results(83 / 149)
Evaluación del uso de enmiendas orgánicas procedentes de residuos urbanos y agropecuarios como técnica de reducción del riesgo en emplazamientos contaminados
2019Ignacio Laorga Fernández · · Global
This study analyzed the "risk reduction" effect of organic amendments from urban and agricultural waste (coffee grounds, domestic compost, livestock manure) on metal-contaminated soils. The method aimed to reduce the bioavailability of metals by increasing soil organic matter, enabling remediation for potential reuse as urban gardens. It was shown that immediate dilution and immobilization of contaminants occur, significantly reducing their mobility and absorption by edible plants.
CompostOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageExploring the Environmental Performance of Urban Symbiosis for Vertical Hydroponic Farming
2019Michael Martin, Sofia Poulikidou, Elvira Molin · Sustainability · Global
This study used life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of using urban residual material flows in vertical hydroponic farming. It assessed replacing conventional growing media with paper, compost, and brewers’ spent grains, and conventional fertilizers with biogas digestate. The results indicate significant environmental performance benefits when conventional growing media are replaced, and substantial potential benefits, though less significant, when fertilizers from residual urban streams are used, suggesting potential for more circular hydroponic systems.
Organic cycleClimate changeEconomicsDigital agricultureAgricultural Productive Public Space: “An Alternative for Increasing Ecological Services, Social Development and Urban Sustainability”
2019Ignacio Carreño, Wenjun Ma · Current Urban Studies · Global
This multi-cluster quantitative and design research describes a methodology for establishing agricultural productive public spaces in cities, focusing on community participation. A case study in Shanghai, China, demonstrated how urban agriculture, in various modes, can address urban needs and improve environmental and urban conditions. The research provides a methodological approximation for formalizing local spatial development with a participatory approach, aiming to increase urban sustainability and meet the socioeconomic needs of communities.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsClimate changePolicyUrban agriculture and buddhist concepts for wellbeing: Anuradhapura sacred city, Sri lanka
2019Wasana De Silva · International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics · Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura)
This research examines urban agriculture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, arguing it forms a 'performing system' that connects people with the city's topography and promotes wellbeing. It explores how daily life, intertwined with agriculture and irrigation around reservoirs and paddy fields, fosters spiritual experiences and contributes to a healthy and sustainable city, drawing on phenomenology, anthropology, and Buddhist philosophy.
HealthCommunityClimate changeSchool Gardening in Early Childhood Education in Oman: A pilot project with Grade 2 students
2019Abdulla Ambusaidi, Rashid Al‐Yahyai, Subhashni Taylor, Neil Taylor · Science education international · Oman
A pilot school gardening project involving Grade 2 students in Oman used a quasi-experimental mixed-method design. While findings were somewhat mixed and tentative, they suggest that school gardens in Oman could provide affective and possible health benefits for students. Given that the study was a pilot, these findings need to be treated tentatively.
Food educationHealthA Framework for Integrating Agriculture in Urban Sustainability in Australia
2019A. J. Sarker, Janet F. Bornman, Дора Маринова · Urban Science · Australia
This study analyzes policy and planning practices for integrating urban agriculture into city land-use planning in Australia. It found that recent planning has overlooked and failed to realize the opportunity of urban agriculture, with regulatory and legal frameworks, including land access, being significant constraints. The study concludes that without direct public policy support and institutional recognition, integrating urban agriculture into Australian cities' development and planning goals is difficult.
Governance failurePolicyClimate changeEconomicsContemporary commons: Sharing and managing common-pool resources in the 21st century
2019Anna Šestáková, Jana Plichtová · Human Affairs · Global
This paper analyzes the relevance of Elinor Ostrom's design principles for managing common-pool resources to new forms of sharing in the 21st century, such as community gardens and car-sharing. The findings suggest that while Ostrom's framework requires adaptation for urban and digitalized environments, some of her original principles remain relevant.
CommunityPolicyAgricultura urbana: Creación de un Restaurante Gourmet
2019Romero López, Iván Fernando · · Colombia (Bogotá)
This article proposes creating a gourmet restaurant in Bogotá, Colombia, to address food security and generate income for urban farmers in low-resource communities like Comuna 4 of Altos de Cazuca. The restaurant would purchase fresh produce weekly from local cultivators, supporting employment, innovation in cultivation infrastructure, and providing organic, quality products to customers. This initiative aims to improve commercialization for urban farmers who currently only support children's nutrition programs.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureDevelopment policies and urban agriculture policies
2019Isabela Laís Tavares, Gisela da Cunha Viana Leonelli · Revista dos Trabalhos de Iniciação Científica da UNICAMP · Global
This study investigated the position of urban agriculture within development policies and legislation for urban and regional planning. Through legal analysis of legislation from supranational to municipal levels, it was shown that urban agriculture can be a tool in city planning to reduce vacant lots and buildings not fulfilling their social function. However, the research revealed that despite a diverse range of legislation for urban agriculture development, these laws are not fully interconnected and often operate as parallel initiatives.
Governance failurePolicyEconomicsCommunityUrban Agriculture as Livelihood Strategy
2019Ashenafi Tilahun Hailie · IGI Global eBooks · Global
This chapter assessed the benefits of urban agriculture in a study area, using qualitative and quantitative analysis aligned with a sustainable livelihood framework. Findings indicated that urban agriculture is sustained by sex indiscrimination, migrant dominancy, poor educational status, and agricultural background. While assets like land access and fertile soil were promising, skills, knowledge transfer, labor ability, and good health were found insufficient. Identified vulnerabilities included population explosion, absence of good governance, frequent natural calamities, land tenure insecurity, and seasonality of prices.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceWelfarePolicyAgricultura urbana e as Iniciativas de Resistência Popular
2019José Luiz Lourenço Ribeiro, Liz Cristiane Dias · RELACult - Revista Latino-Americana de Estudos em Cultura e Sociedade · Global
This paper examined the contribution of urban agriculture to creating alternative territories built from a non-hegemonic and popular perspective. Based on a theoretical literature search, it was revealed that when urban agriculture is organized by excluded individuals or those not integrated into the normalized urban lifestyle, these initiatives transform into territories of resistance whose primary function is to escape social vulnerability and protect marginalized popular culture.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityWelfareCharacteristics and Challenges for the Development of Nature-Based Adult Day Services in Urban Areas for People with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers
2019Jan Hassink, Lenneke Vaandrager, Yvette Buist, Simone R. de Bruin · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Global
A global study characterized nature-based adult day services (ADSs) for people with dementia (PwD) in urban areas and identified challenges. Interviews with 17 ADS providers revealed five types of services: social entrepreneurs, nursing homes, social care organizations, community gardens by citizens, and hybrid initiatives. General challenges included the availability of green urban spaces and acquiring funding. Specific challenges varied by type, including a lack of commitment among nursing staff in nursing homes, difficulty finding knowledgeable volunteers for community gardens, and work culture differences in hybrid models.
Governance failureCommunityHealthWelfareUrban Farming Using Upcycling Technique of Brassica rapa L. Cv (Pechay Tagalog) in Ermita, Manila, Philippines
2019Alma E. Nacua · Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy · Philippines (Manila)
This paper aimed to observe Pechay stem growth in loam soil planted in recycled fruit Styrofoam boxes and to upcycle Pechay stems in Ermita, Manila, Philippines, also observing signs of infection. An experimental design method was used, with Pechay seeds grown in the same container type with loam soil as a control. Out of 180 Pechay stems planted, 128 survived, showing a 71% survival growth rate. Pechay grown from seeds had a 98% survival rate.
DIYFood lossOrganic cycleInterpartner Risks in Solidarity Partnerships
2019Sonia Aissaoui, Pascale Bueno Merino, Samuel Grandval · · Global
This study discusses the risk of having no contract in a solidarity partnership, specifically Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) formed between an agricultural entrepreneur and consumers, based on an extreme case analysis. Through 47 semi-structured interviews, three non-participant observations, and seven additional semi-structured interviews, findings showed that trust mechanisms can quickly weaken during misunderstandings, exposing partners to the risk of exploiting the agreement. Contractual logic, particularly its coordinating function, complements trust in maintaining the stability of a solidarity partnership.
Governance failureCSA & TeikeiEconomicsPolicyQuelle agriculture urbaine pour atteindre l’autosuffisance en ville ?
2019Eurêkoi · · Global
This record describes a query from a user of Eurekoi, a remote response service provided by librarians, seeking documents on urban self-sufficiency. The user requested information ranging from identifying needs to presenting existing solutions. Librarians from the Liège library provided the response.
Food sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageEconomicsCreating the Urban Farmer’s Almanac with Citizen Science Data
2019Kathleen L. Prudic, J. Keaton Wilson, Michelle C. Toshack, Katharine L. Gerst, Alyssa Rosemartin, Theresa M. Crimmins, Jeffrey C. Oliver · Insects · Global
This study introduced web-based citizen science programs to assist urban growers in managing insect biodiversity on city farms, a complex task given the estimated 30% of the global urban population engaged in food production. The programs aim to connect growers with relevant data and experts for informed insect management decisions. It suggests that combining citizen science volunteers with urban farmers can clarify ecosystem services, reduce insecticide use, and promote non-chemical alternatives.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsThe revival of urban agriculture: an opportunity for the composting stream
2019Marjorie Tendero, C. Guyot · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · Global
This article discusses the booming urban composting sector, driven by urban agriculture's new outlets for organic materials. Individual or collective composting offers a decentralized solution with positive impacts on the environment and neighborhood social relations. Its success requires material availability in common spaces, communication systems, support for residents' initiatives, and consideration of technical, ecological, agricultural, economic, and social aspects.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityEconomicsClimate changeSolar powered internet of things for urban framing
2019Wang, Jiaxin · DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) · Singapore
This project focuses on developing novel sensing and monitoring techniques for urban farming environments, particularly in land-scarce areas like Singapore, to enhance food security. It introduces various IoT platforms and elements, illustrates radio frequency and Bluetooth low energy communication principles, and explains data transmission using IDE programming. The project aims to design a system capable of temperature measurement and TDS value detection in water, combining different sensors with Arduino design.
Digital agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceAssessing Urban Ecosystem Services
2019Marise Barreiros Horta, Maria Inês Cabral, Iva Pires, Laura Bachi, Ana Luísa Luz, Geraldo Wilson Fernandes, Maria Auxiliadora Drumond, Sónia Maria Carvalho Ribeiro · IGI Global eBooks · Global
This chapter summarizes different participatory approaches for assessing ecosystem services (ES) in urban areas across three countries. In Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a conceptual framework for vacant lots ES assessment was presented. In Leipzig, Germany, a combination of site surveys, interviews, and remote sensing was utilized for a comparative study between two forms of urban gardening. In Lisbon, Portugal, the study provided social insight into horticultural parks based on interviews. Overall, these studies demonstrate the potential benefits of utilizing ES assessment approaches on urban landscapes, particularly for better understanding the interactions between people and nature in urban sites.
BiodiversityCommunityPolicyUrban Agriculture in Harare: Socio-Economic Dimensions of a Survival Strategy
2019David Rider Smith · · Zimbabwe (Harare)
Urban agriculture in Harare, Zimbabwe, is extensive in private gardens and public open spaces, serving as a widespread survival strategy. It contributes to mitigating hunger, achieving household food security, alleviating poverty during economic restructuring, and improving the urban environment. Despite its importance as a food and income source, the rising cost of food places many families under severe pressure.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareEconomicsCommunityCreating an Edible Landscape: Policy & Ordinances, Best Practices, Sustainability, Budget, and Plant Data
2019Natalie Greytak, Mishka Bartholow, Jessica Dryke, Madison S. Powell, Miranda Olson, Emily Jane Davis, Claire Prendergast, Courtney Schlegel, Claire Kalenberg, Cecily Lindner, Kayleen McQuillan, Maddy Servais, Abigail Wege, Hannah Berg, Nabeela Khan, Soyeon Jung, Jui-Chi Lee, Staci Gallahue, Brad A. Yentzer, Michelle Bascom, Stephanie Druziako, Andy Monnens · · Global
This record comprises reports completed by students enrolled in FScN 4732: Food & Nutrition Management, taught by Dr. Len Marquart in spring 2019. The reports cover topics including policy and ordinances, best practices, sustainability, budget, and plant data related to creating an edible landscape.
PolicyCommunityParticipation of Poor Town Community as Agro-Entrepreneur Towards Urban Agriculture
2019Mohammad Amizi Ayob, Nurul Aida Yaakob, M. Nursalwani · Canadian social science · Global
This study investigated the level of participation of poor town communities, primarily homeless individuals, in urban agriculture entrepreneurship, involving 79 respondents. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results showed that implementing urban agriculture requires the right attitude, knowledge, and perception. However, the chi-square test revealed no significant value on socioeconomics towards urban agriculture within the poor town community.
WelfareCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban agriculture as a climate change and disaster risk reduction strategy
2019Marielle Dubbeling, R. van Veenhuizen, Jess Halliday · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered a strategy that can bring multiple benefits and help to build resilient urban food systems at the city region level and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable residents. Cities, as major emitters of greenhouse gas (GHG), are not only contributing to climate change but are also directly and indirectly impacted by it. Key issues include rising temperatures, increasing rainfall, flooding, and urban food insecurity. Rapid urban growth will only increase the number of highly vulnerable urban communities, with the urban poor being most at risk.
Climate changeFood sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureThe Growing of Plants by Children—The School-Garden
2019· Cornell University Press eBooks · Global
The main idea in this chapter is that "the love of plants should be inculcated in the school." Knowledge of plants and horticulture extends beyond mere information, taking children outdoors and increasing their engagement with life. The chapter concludes by outlining types of school gardens, including those for ornamenting grounds, establishing collections, providing instruction, and serving as test grounds for new varieties.
Food educationCommunityReconocimiento y caracterización de la Flora Arvense encontradas en Huertas urbanas asistidas por EL Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis
2019Uvianeth Castañeda Maldonado · · Colombia (Bogotá)
The recognition and characterization of arvense flora (weeds) found in urban gardens assisted by the Bogotá Botanical Garden in Bogotá, Colombia, were conducted. A catalog of arvense recognition for the Capital District was developed, representing 36 species of weeds belonging to 15 families of the Magnoliopsida class. This catalog includes photographic records, field observations, and information on pollinator presence, serving as an important consultation tool for the district's flora.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinators