Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
458 results(9 / 19)
Gärten in der Stadt: Ökosysteme für Mensch und Natur
2022Monika Egerer · Anliegen Natur · Global
A global survey explored the importance of urban gardens during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey showed that gardening is an effective outdoor strategy for stress relief, food provision, and increasing feelings of safety during uncertain times.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityMulti-Disciplinary Access in Conceptual Design for Advertising of The Public Space
2022Ivana Chaloska · South East European Journal of Architecture and Design · Global
This master's thesis conducted qualitative empirical research for the multidisciplinary conceptualization of urban public space, focusing on ecological and social sustainability and socio-spatial relations. Through an inter-contextual analysis and a case study highlighting urban community gardens, the research supports a conceptual design of public space that can function as activism for rethinking existing structures or as a continuous process of socio-spatial relations.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityGreen 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 cyclePolicyOrganization of experiential activities to discover biodiversity in the vegetable garden for preschoolers
2022Linh Nguyen Ha, Luyen Nguyen Thi · Journal of Science Educational Science · Global
This theoretical paper addresses the limited use of natural contexts in preschool environmental education, particularly regarding biodiversity in school habitats. It defines the concept and scope of biodiversity knowledge suitable for preschoolers and proposes methods for organizing biodiversity discovery activities in preschool vegetable gardens. The aim is to help preschool teachers maximize the benefits of school gardens for scientific discovery activities.
Food educationBiodiversityThe Place of Greening: Comparing Civic Engagement Scenes of Urban Natures across Danish Cities
2022Anders Blok, Amanda Krog Juvik, Anna Helene Kvist Møller, Jonas Skjold Raaschou-Pedersen, Jakob Laage‐Thomsen · City and Community · Denmark
This study mapped the group styles, spatial intergroup networks, and cultural-political value landscapes of 130 urban green communities across the four largest cities in Denmark using digital methods. The results showed that civic greening groups are neither neighborhood-based endeavors nor hubs of social movement mobilization, but rather geographies of co-engagement that span cities while also forging new senses and practices of place.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyA Typology for Green Infrastructure Planning to Enhance Multifunctionality Incorporating Peri-Urban Agricultural Land
2022Werner Rolf · · Global
This work introduces a typology for spatial planning to integrate peri-urban farmland into Green Infrastructure, aiming to develop multifunctional open space networks. The typology, based on an inter- and transdisciplinary approach and evidence synthesis, suggests that peri-urban farmland has potential to address urban challenges like biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyBiodiversityClimate changeDirty Hands: Exploring Elementary School Gardens to Develop Pro-Environmental Attitudes
2022Melissa Parks, Hope P. Hershey, Skye Sobzack, Mercedes Tichenor · Kappa Delta Pi Record · Global
This paper describes the benefits of elementary school gardening experiences and offers suggestions on how to nurture positive environmental attitudes among children through garden-based learning activities.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityHow Do Different Modes of Governance Support Ecosystem Services/Disservices in Small-Scale Urban Green Infrastructure? A Systematic Review
2022Sina Razzaghi Asl, Hamil Pearsall · Land · Global
This systematic review evaluated how different modes of governance support ecosystem services (ES) in small-scale urban green infrastructure (UGI). Governance was assessed in six types of UGI: small parks, community gardens, vacant lands, rain gardens, green roofs, and street trees, examining the characteristics of four governance approaches: adaptive, network, mosaic, and transformative. Each governance mode was found to be potentially effective for managing the ES of certain small-scale UGI. The study highlights knowledge gaps at the intersection between governance arrangements and ES in small-scale UGI.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeBalancing 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 cycleThe Importance of Urban Green Spaces for Pollinating Insects: The Case of the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
2022Pierre Michard Beaujour, Frank Cézilly · Caribbean Journal of Science · Haiti (Port-au-Prince)
This survey assessed the distribution of pollinating insect orders in 16 urban green sites in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from January to April 2018. Researchers collected 2,747 pollinating insects and found that insect order richness was significantly higher at agroforestry plantations compared to unexploited forest remnants. Site area, elevation, and built area percentage had no significant influence on the total number of insects collected.
BiodiversityPollinatorsUrban–rural linkageA little does a lot: Can small-scale planting for pollinators make a difference?
2022Philip Donkersley, Sammy Witchalls, Elias H. Bloom, David W. Crowder · Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · Global
A meta-analysis of 31 studies and a 5-year study on small pollinator habitats (30 m²) at community gardens and farms (150,000 m²) assessed the effect of pollinator planting interventions. Pollinator conservation interventions increased species richness and abundance in almost all studies, with greatest increases from hedgerows (40 m²) and herbaceous interventions (500 m²). Small interventions (∼500 m²) can significantly benefit pollinators, but only when densely distributed at a landscape level, and future research is needed on their cumulative effects.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityEducational Frameworks for Designing Regenerative Food Systems in the Arabian Gulf
2022Anna Grichting · · Qatar
This teaching experience, conducted over seven years at Qatar University, addressed the challenge of food production in desert regions within graduate and undergraduate architecture and urbanism courses. Students designed productive architectural and urban landscapes through vertical farming, community gardening, and urban farms, among other methods. Outcomes included an increase in the integration of food production systems into student projects and a vision for Qatar University as an "edible campus."
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityClimate changePolicyNature-Based One Health Approaches to Urban Agriculture Can Deliver Food and Nutrition Security
2022Bassey Ebenso, Akaninyene Otu, Alessandro Giusti, Philipe Cousin, Victor O. Adetimirin, Hary Razafindralambo, Emmanuel Effa, Vasileios Gkisakis, Ousmane Thiaré, Vincent Levavasseur, Sonagnon Kouhoundé, Kifouli Adéoti, Abdur Rahim, Majid Mounir · Frontiers in Nutrition · Global
This paper argues that adopting a One Health approach to urban agriculture is crucial for significantly increasing food yields and improving quality of life in cities, given global population growth and urbanization trends. It proposes six nature-based and climate-smart approaches, including reducing synthetic inputs and increasing biodiversity, to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems. These approaches require cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable, nutritious, and accessible diets.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthBiodiversityClimate changePeri-urban agricultureDigital agricultureWorking With Nature to Solve Societal Problems
2022Barbara Schröter, Mario Brillinger, Sarah Gottwald, Paulina Guerrero, Jennifer Henze, Edward Ott, Stefan Schmidt, Christian Albert · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global
This article introduces the concept of nature-based solutions as a way to address societal problems such as climate and biodiversity crises. It explains how reconnecting floodplains can reduce flood risks, protecting wetlands or mangroves can store carbon, and planting trees or installing rooftop gardens can cool cities. The article emphasizes understanding how to work with nature and the practical steps for implementing these solutions.
Climate changeBiodiversityThe 3-H social and emotional learning cycle and the three sisters garden
2022Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik, Laura Wheeler, Katherine Vela, Michelle Parslow, David N. Joy · Science Activities · Global
This study introduces the Three Sisters Garden activity within a 3-H Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Cycle for secondary school students. This activity teaches biodiversity and sustainability, encouraging students to connect their own need for social connections with plant growth. Students enhance their sense of participation in the scientific process by analyzing gardens from a systems perspective.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityThe Value of Urban Farming in Oslo, Norway: Community Gardens, Aquaponics and Vertical Farming
2022Geir Wæhler Gustavsen, Helge Berglann, Elisabeth Jenssen, Signe Kårstad, Divina Gracia P. Rodriguez · International journal on food system dynamics · Norway (Oslo)
This study conducted a contingent valuation survey in Oslo, Norway, to assess citizens' attitudes and willingness to pay for non-commercial (community gardens, educational gardens) and commercial (aquaponics, vertical farming) urban agriculture. The results indicate that Oslo citizens are willing to increase their tax payments to support the further development of urban farming in the city.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsHealthClimate changeBiodiversityThe 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 cycleEcological Prototypes for Green Construction
2022Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel · · Global
This work, "Ecological Prototypes for Green Construction - 1", focuses on linking architecture and ecological engineering. Its purpose is to achieve integrated urban, agricultural, and ecological land use.
Urban–rural linkageBiodiversityEdible City—A New Approach for Upscaling Local Food Supply? The Case of Andernach, Germany
2021Artmann M., Sartison K. · Making Green Cities: Concepts, Challenges and Practice (Springer, Cities and Nature series), 173-194 · Global
A case study analyzing the 'Edible City' of Andernach, Germany, as a multifunctional productive green space where citizens can harvest freely in public areas. Drawing on interviews with key initiators, it shows that the project generates multifunctional social, ecological and economic benefits addressing urban challenges such as food security, biodiversity and social cohesion, and examines its potential for upscaling local food supply.
CommunityFood educationWelfareEconomicsBiodiversityEnvironmental impacts and resource use of urban agriculture: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2021Dorr, E., Goldstein, B., Horvath, A., Aubry, C., Gabrielle, B. · Environmental Research Letters 16, 093002 · Global
A systematic review and meta-analysis (53 studies) of urban agriculture's environmental impacts and resource use, quantitatively showing that effects vary widely by farm form, scale and technology, and evaluating life-cycle assessment against rural farming.
BiodiversityUrban agriculture — A necessary pathway towards urban resilience and global sustainability?
2021Langemeyer J., Madrid-López C., Mendoza Beltran A., Villalba Méndez G. · Landscape and Urban Planning 210, 104055 · Global
Critically examines whether urban agriculture is a 'necessary pathway' to urban resilience and global sustainability, evaluating its contributions and limits across five dimensions: food, water, energy, ecosystem services and social integration.
BiodiversityGardens’ contribution to people and urban green space
2021Helena I. Hanson, Emma Eckberg, Malin Widenberg, Johanna Alkan Olsson · Urban forestry & urban greening · Sweden (Lund)
This study explored private gardens' contribution to urban biodiversity and garden owners' wellbeing (in terms of cultural ecosystem services) in Lund, Sweden, through a garden land-use inventory and interviews with 35 garden owners. Results showed that urban development influences gardens' biodiversity potential by limiting available space or garden vegetation, with new properties having small gardens containing few biodiversity features and large trees. Important cultural ecosystem services included social bonds, recreation, nature experiences, and relaxation, which were influenced by age and gender.
BiodiversityHealthUrban–rural linkagePolicyEffectiveness of plants and green infrastructure utilization in ambient particulate matter removal
2021K. Wróblewska, Byoung Ryong Jeong · Environmental Sciences Europe · Global
This review presents the effectiveness of plants and green infrastructure in ambient particulate matter (PM) removal. It describes the mechanisms of PM capture by plants and factors influencing PM reduction in the atmosphere. The review refers to the effectiveness of plant utilization in various forms of green infrastructure, including trees, grasslands, green roofs, living walls, water reservoirs, and urban farming. Additionally, methods to increase PM removal by plants, such as species selection, biodiversity increase, PAH-degrading phyllospheric endophytes, transgenic plants, and microorganisms, are presented.
Climate changeBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture on the Rooftop
2021Sumita Ghosh · · Global
This research conducted a desktop review and analyzed six international case studies of rooftop urban farms, community gardens, and home gardens. The analysis found that productive landscapes already exist on city rooftops, contributing positively to community, environment, ecology, economy, and society. Planning and designing rooftop gardens in dense urban areas could foster place-making through urban agriculture.
DIYCommunityClimate changeEconomicsBiodiversityReasons and Remedies to the Dying Plant Walls
2021Hayley Q McGough · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · Global
This paper investigates why plant façades on buildings frequently die, preventing them from fully realizing benefits like urban heat island reduction and improved air quality. Through interviews with landscape architects, it examines factors for maintaining plant façades and assesses if new approaches, such as earlier integration of landscape architects or biocurtains, can address the high mortality rates. The study highlights that these plant façades often fail, leading to waste and unfulfilled potential.
Limited or null effectClimate changeBiodiversityEconomicsDIY