Research & reports

Eleni Oikonomaki, Ilektra Papadaki, Christina Kakderi · Land · Global

This paper examined 100 citizen-led urban greening projects globally, categorizing them by greenery type, stakeholders, implementation mode, and smart technology use. Fully citizen-led initiatives often focused on urban farms and food growing, while scaling projects frequently received support from public authorities or NGOs. Websites and social media facilitated participation and knowledge sharing, but advanced digital technologies for real-time monitoring and evidence-based decision-making were rarely integrated.

Sonia Gatchair · · Jamaica (Kingston)

In Kingston, Jamaica's largest urban space, systematic efforts to stimulate the adoption of commercially viable urban agriculture have lagged. This study examines the facilitators and impediments to commercially viable urban agriculture, arguing that knowledge transfer and the adoption of innovative, technology-driven approaches to farming, financing, and marketing are needed for success.

Bikram Pratim Bhuyan, Ravi Tomar, Thipendra P. Singh, Amar Ramdane-Chérif · Open Agriculture · Global

This study outlines the creation of UrbanAgriKG, a comprehensive knowledge graph for urban agriculture, by acquiring and synthesizing information from various sources. The graph depicts interrelationships among entities like urban farms, crops, and farming methods. The research also investigates the efficacy of different graph embedding methodologies to extract representations of entities and their relationships, aiming to improve decision-making in urban agriculture.

Monsuru Adekunle Salisu, Yusuf Opeyemi Oyebamiji, Omowunmi Kayode Ahmed, Noraziyah Abd Aziz Shamsudin, Yusoff Siti Fairuz, Yusuff Oladosu, Mohd Rafii Yusop, Zulkefly Sulaiman, Fatai Arolu · AIMS Agriculture and Food · Global

This systematic review, utilizing the PRISMA framework, focused on emerging trends in soilless technologies for urban agriculture in the post-pandemic era. It examined the environmental impact, resource efficiency, and water usage of soilless farming techniques such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional soil-based farming. The review suggests that these innovative strategies hold promise in fostering sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring food security.

Ewa Duda · PLoS ONE · Global

This qualitative research analyzed 7,980 Google Play Store reviews for fourteen mobile gardening applications to understand their potential for digital education in developing green cities. The study identified user motivations for downloading these apps and the features that either facilitate or hinder their use. The findings are relevant for app developers and urban educators.

Dimas Adiputra, Abduh Sayid Albana, Rifki Dwi Putranto, Nursyahjaya Ramadaniputra, Nur Aliffah Rizkiningtyas, Ahmad Faiz Fanani · BEGAWE Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surabaya)

Songo Village in Surabaya, Indonesia, promotes urban farming for local food security and income generation. This initiative disseminated a solar-powered hydroponic unit capable of operating without PLN electricity. The system features 300 planting holes, a 12V 200Ah battery, a 900Wp solar panel, and a 1kW inverter. A simple profit forecast indicated a final profit of 19,232,727 IDR, with a return on investment projected within 13 months.

Giovanbattista Califano, Anders Crichton-Fock, Charles Spence · Future Foods · United Kingdom

Consumer attitudes toward novel fresh herb cultivation methods, including urban farming, hydroponics, and robotic cultivation, were explored among 148 participants in the UK. Urban farming was the preferred method, followed by hydroponics, with robotic cultivation being the least favored. High consumer environmental concern positively influenced acceptance of parsley from urban farming, while food technology neophobia negatively impacted consumer acceptance of hydroponic and robotic cultivation methods. The exploratory nature of this study may limit the generalizability of its results.

Amanullah, Urooj Khan · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

This commentary explores modern agronomy concepts such as precision agriculture, urban agriculture, and agroecology. It aims to demonstrate their potential to enhance public health by improving food quality, enhancing nutrition, and safeguarding the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. The commentary discusses the implications of these practices for public health.

G. Ananth Kumar, A. Supriya, G. Soumya, B. Thriveni, Dr. Sandhya C, H. Sai Kumar Reddy · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

The Innovative Water Management Protocol introduces a strategy for sustainable urban agriculture in smart cities. This approach optimizes irrigation water usage by integrating intelligent sensors, data analysis, and automated processes, utilizing real-time information on soil moisture, weather, and plant needs. It also incorporates IoT-enabled devices for remote monitoring via mobile applications, aiming to conserve water, foster environmental sustainability, and enhance food security.

Raden Deasy Mandasari, Andi Rosano, Djadjat Sudaradjat · Barometer · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This research monitored CO2 concentrations in rooftop areas of DKI Jakarta, Indonesia, using IoT technology and CO2 sensors. Data was collected over four parts of the day at two locations: Garden Roof and Ordinary Roof areas. Results showed that roof areas with gardens had lower average CO2 levels (295 PPM) compared to regular roofs (360 PPM), indicating the potential of garden roof designs to reduce CO2 concentrations.

Robert Massimo Alfonsi, Merle Naidoo, Alexandros Gasparatos · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · South Africa

This study examined ICT adoption and desirable characteristics among 85 urban small-scale food producers in disadvantaged areas of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, using in-person surveys. Respondents expressed a need for food-related mobile applications facilitating price comparisons, best practice sharing, and health advice, prioritizing user-friendliness, low data use, and affordability. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, such as marital status, number of children, income, education, and land holdings, significantly influenced desired app functionalities and activities.

Brilliant Adam Ramadhani, Shalahuddin Fathan, Jessica Putri Margaretta, Putri Wahyu Pebrianti, Ika Sari Tondang, Nuriah Yuliati · Kegiatan Positif Jurnal Hasil Karya Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surabaya)

The Urban Farming Group "Keputih Bersemi" in Keputih, Surabaya, faces challenges in optimally selling and distributing its produce, such as pak choi and lettuce, due to conventional marketing methods. The majority of group members are elderly and unfamiliar with technology, limiting sales and distribution. The abstract suggests that digital marketing via Instagram and WhatsApp could increase visibility and sales.

Bin 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.

Maria 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.

Rizqa 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.

Ning 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.

Suwa 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.

Maicol 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.

MVV 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.

Putu 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.

Emmanuel 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.

Paul 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.

Firda 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.

Yulia 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.

Nyayu 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.