Research & reports

· Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management · Global

Techno-economic evaluation of decentralized community composting as a model to valorize organic matter in small and medium-sized towns.

· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global

Proposes a low-tech, non-sterile cultivation method growing oyster mushrooms on fresh Giant Juncao grass. Presents it as a scalable, low-cost strategy for sustainable nutrition in resource-poor, underdeveloped regions.

· Leisure Studies · Global

Conceptualizes community gardens as liminal spaces, showing that volunteering suspends everyday roles and opens avenues for psychological and emotional reorientation and well-being transformation.

Ferreira, Mélice Dias, Lopes · International Journal of Urban and Regional Research · Global

International analysis of urban agriculture policy in contexts of austerity. Examines tensions between citizen movements and governance, food sovereignty and self-determination.

Tolazzi et al. · Earth's Future (Wiley), 2025 · Global

Demonstrates that strategic reallocation of urban spaces to agriculture improves nutrition security for residents; evaluates household nutrition gains and community economic development.

Li et al. · Ecological Solutions and Evidence (Wiley) · Global

Meta-analysis on the integration of urban agriculture and green infrastructure for ecosystem functions and biodiversity. Urban agriculture shows less negative impact than conventional farming while reducing food supply chain distances.

Romanian Urban Agriculture Research Center · MDPI Land (Open Access) · Romania

Comparative study of residents' perceptions in three Western Romanian cities on urban agriculture's potential for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and reducing synthetic compound use.

Chen, M., Rosenberg, R., Thompson, L., Schmidt, H. · Ecological Engineering · Global

Study of 15 cities with integrated green infrastructure networks. Biodiversity increases 30-50%, bird species richness increases from 12-15 to 35-40 species in high-connectivity zones.

Pickles, J. · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Australia

Situational analysis of civic gardeners in peri-urban region of Australia showing food gardening contributes to health, environmental sustainability, and more equitable local food systems

Marina Vaidya Shrestha, Sunil Babu Shrestha, Bijaya Shrestha · Journal of Nepal Health Research Council · Nepal (Kathmandu)

A cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2022 to June 2023 at three randomly selected sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur), comparing 115 residents who practise urban agriculture with 115 who do not (n=230), using the SF-12 health survey, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Participants engaged in urban agriculture reported significantly lower perceived stress and significantly higher life satisfaction. However, the two groups differed significantly in gender, ethnicity, occupation, marital status, education and home ownership (p<0.05), and the cross-sectional design cannot separate an effect of gardening from selection into gardening by better-off residents.

Haoqiu Lin, Xun Li · Sustainability · Global

This systematic review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on various forms of green infrastructure and their mechanisms for mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects, and the function of urban green spaces (UGS) in reducing the impact of UHI. Important mechanisms, including shade, evapotranspiration, albedo change, and ventilation, were investigated in connection with urban parks, green roofs, street trees, vertical greenery systems, and community gardens. The findings show that green areas, including parks, green roofs, and street trees, can lower air and surface temperatures by as much as 5 °C. However, the efficiency of cooling varies depending on plant density and spatial distribution.

Nurudeen Issifu, Owusu Amponsah, Daniel Kwame Blija, Stephen Appiah Takyi, Abdul Majeed Issah, Abdul-Wahid Alhassan · International Planning Studies · Ghana

This study assessed whether mixed residential-agricultural land use can sustain urban agriculture and if residential landowners in rapidly urbanizing Ghanaian cities are willing to allocate plot space to agriculture. Researchers surveyed 280 landowners across four peri-urban settlements in Kumasi and used geospatial data to estimate available residential space. Nearly four out of five landowners were willing to cede their backyards for micro-farming, with geospatial estimates identifying 75.65 hectares of available residential area across the settlements, equivalent to approximately 0.03 ha per plot (about 23% of an average 0.13 ha plot). These findings suggest the potential of backyard micro-farming as a strategy for sustaining urban agriculture.

Heru Purwandari, Arabella Faiza Mardhiyah Husni Putri · Journal of Social Science and Human Ecology · Global

This research investigated the correlation between KWT (women farmer groups) participation and the sustainability of the KRL Katulampa waste management program, which incorporates urban farming using processed waste. A census of all KWT Berkah members was conducted using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study found a correlation between KWT community participation and the program's sustainability, but noted that urban farming needs to be complemented by other activities to ensure significant economic benefits beyond social advantages.

Piaopiao Ke, Beñat Olascoaga, Pasi Kolari, Outi Tahvonen, Sami Haapanala, Tom Kokkonen, Leena Järvi, Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen · Urban forestry & urban greening · Finland

A year-round eddy covariance and soil chamber measurement in an urban allotment garden in southern Finland showed it functioned as a net CO₂ source (0.69 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹) despite 77% vegetation cover. High respiratory emissions (4.7 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹) exceeded photosynthetic uptake (4.0 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹), likely due to elevated soil organic carbon (13.4 ± 8.7%) and high soil C:N ratio from management amendments. These findings challenge assumptions about urban gardens as inherent carbon sinks and suggest carbon-smart management practices are needed.

Adhisty Puri Damayanti, Norbertus Citra Irawan, Natalia Deswita Fitriyani, Zainal Mustofa, Agustina Tri Suryaningsih, Dewi Permatasari · Journal of Community Capacity Empowerment · Global

A community service program at PKBM Cahaya Rejeki involved 20 students in hands-on workshops to build vertical gardens using recycled materials. The program aimed to improve urban youth's understanding of vertical agriculture in non-formal settings. A Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Test showed a statistically significant increase in students' agricultural knowledge, supported by field observations of increased enthusiasm and confidence.

Shanurasab K Nadaf, VR Yadahalli, Bebijan Nadaf · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global

This review explores the motivations and practical strategies for growing food in small urban spaces, addressing challenges like limited space and poor soil. It discusses techniques such as vertical gardening, container planting, hydroponics, and raised beds, along with crop selection and resource optimization. The article also examines challenges, success stories, and the role of technology in making urban gardening accessible.

Maria de Nazareth Oliveira Maciel, Luann Yago Oliveira Maciel · Aracê. · Global

This descriptive review study examined whether urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of Agenda 2030 and generates social benefits for producers, analyzing articles published from 2019 to 2022 from Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The results showed that urban agriculture aligns with SDG 12, generating ten main social benefits, including improved quality of life, social inclusion, food security, and promotion of mental and physical health.

Chua Siu Ting, Hazreena Hussein · Journal of Surveying Construction & Property · Malaysia (Port Dickson)

This study explored residents' perceptions of social spaces in Port Dickson, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a mixed-method approach combining photographic documentation and a questionnaire survey. The majority of respondents experienced significant stress during the pandemic due to anxiety, job loss, and livelihood challenges, emphasizing the importance of effective space allocation and varied options within residential neighborhoods. These findings imply that strategically designed social spaces and zoning practices are key to developing self-sufficient communities in residential areas.

Siti Nur Diyana Mahmud, Muhammad Hanif Sainorudin · International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · Global

This systematic literature review analyzed 58 empirical studies on nature-based instruction (NBI) in science education from 2021-2025, focusing on formal and school-linked learning settings. Most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with outcomes primarily in affective and cognitive domains. Recurring challenges included limited causal designs, short follow-up periods, and inconsistent implementation reporting.

PC Trivedi, Shruti Walia Ar · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · Global

This research defines urban voids as idle, unused, or partly used urban lands that public agencies fail to utilize to their maximum capacity. It proposes that these urban voids can serve as valuable resources in sustainable planning by creating green infrastructure, fostering civic engagement, and enhancing biodiversity. Converting these spaces into parks or community gardens can encourage social interaction and improve urban living quality.

Agustin Windianingsih, Wiwin Wiwin, Tanti Febrianti · Journal of Finance and Business Digital · Global

This research investigated the potential of urban agriculture to overcome food crises and impact food security. Using a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), the study found that people practicing urban farming are supported in terms of urban farming skills, food security, creation of green open spaces, entrepreneurial opportunities, fulfillment of nutritional needs, enjoyment of fresh crops, creation of community bonds, educational benefits, and awareness for mental health and the environment.

Sadika Dipannita, Md. Taj Uddin, Nanda Dulal Kundu, Syed Walik Akib · Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University · Bangladesh (Dhaka)

This study evaluated the economic viability of rooftop gardening for income generation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, sampling 60 gardeners from various areas. It found rooftop vegetable gardening to be economically viable with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.32, though income from it was not substantial compared to total income. Significant factors affecting gross return included gardener age and costs of seeds, pesticides, and water, while challenges identified were low soil quality and limited equipment.

Anna Sofia Salonen, Giovanna Paccillo, Lauren Strumos, Rebecca Banham · · Global

This chapter discusses the relationship between community gardens and wellbeing, viewing wellbeing as a cultural field. It explores how gardeners experience wellbeing through their gardening and what these experiences reveal about their lifestances. The analysis shows that gardening can contribute to collective wellbeing through transformative engagement with ethics and ontologies, and that community gardens can serve as "everyday utopias" for expressing critique and desire for change. It identifies both the possibilities and limits of community gardens in fostering holistic, relational, transformative approaches to wellbeing.

Arild Eriksen, Deni Ruggeri, Esben Slaatrem Titland · · Norway (Oslo)

This essay examines urban agriculture from the perspective of an architect and urban farmer/beekeeper practicing bottom-up, participatory design in Oslo. Critical dimensions of urban agriculture in public space include private and corporate claims on these landscapes, and its current aesthetics of impermanence are critiqued. The essay questions the notion that the joy and freedom urban agriculture brings to a community should be built upon and enriched by future development and policy.

Talent Moyo, Chipo Hungwe, Faith Zengeni · · Zimbabwe (Bulawayo)

This chapter examines urban resilience within the New Urban Agenda (NUA) using three pillars—adaptive capacity, absorptive capacity, and transformative capacity—in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, urban resilience has been promoted through urban agriculture programs and efforts to regulate and capacitate informal economic activities. The qualitative case study argues that urban resilience primarily benefits individual urban citizens through livelihood creation, expanded livelihood portfolios, skills and knowledge development, meeting basic needs, and community support.