Research & reports

Iain Black, Deirdre Shaw, Katherine Trebeck · Families Relationships and Societies · Global

An introduction (2016, no specific region) presents two related Open Space articles — "Changing the narrative: Measuring progress by measuring what matters to families" and "Places of prosumption: Community gardens putting the 'we' into neighbourhoods" — describing how the articles explore how spaces can be created that enable relationships not reliant on socially and environmentally damaging consumption, and that help build space for socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable societies.

Efrat Eizenberg · · Global

This chapter discusses the broad, self-generated relations between the institution of community gardens and opportunities both to engage in political practices and to take part in the process of producing space. The self-generative power of this assemblage is described as having a life of its own, continuously producing new participants and sustaining the institution over the long run. The development of political consciousness remakes participants as a different kind of urban resident; paraphrasing Gramsci, the author terms this process the production of "organic residents" — people who may not be defined as citadins but can nonetheless be seen as a step toward utopian urban political subjects. Multiple opportunities for political development are embedded across many levels of the production of space, with the actual space of the gardens serving as the blueprint for a political strategy, and the institution linking vision to space.

Jean-Francois Paquay, Sue Spaid · The Journal of Somaesthetics · Global

This philosophical essay observes that somaesthetics — the philosophy of embodied aesthetic experience — has tended to shift its focus from producers to consumers when discussing food, neglecting farmers, and proposes urban farming as a somaesthetics case study. It begins by examining urban farming's absence from Aesthetics, then discusses how the aesthetic experiences associated with urban farming collapse artistic and aesthetic distinctions, debates whether somaesthetics can be considered a subset of everyday aesthetic practice, and analyzes whether urban farming's capacity to contribute to well-being makes it a potential somaesthetic enterprise. One explanation offered for urban farming's absence from somaesthetics is that its success owes more to luck than to the disciplined will that guides successful somaesthetic practices, and the essay argues that for it to function as a somaesthetic practice, cultivators would need to adopt unconventional approaches that raise "the foodies' bar."

Christopher Maughan, Christopher Maughan · Exchanges The Interdisciplinary Research Journal · Global

An essay reflects on Critical Foodscapes, a one-day conference part-funded by the University of Warwick's Institute of Advanced Study and the Food GRP, that sought to bring a critical-studies approach to the emerging research area of urban community food growing. It offers reflections on the conference itself as well as on prospects for urban gardening more broadly.

Silke Ötsch · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Europe

Working from the premise that the "static-hedonic" economic ideal type — historically cast in a negative light against Joseph Schumpeter's ideal of the entrepreneur — is being positively reframed within the degrowth-critical movement and in writing on urban gardening, an essay examines the conceptions of life and economic activity held by people involved in the degrowth-oriented Transition movement, based on qualitative, problem-centered interviews. It poses the question of whether the figure of the gardener (Gärtner/Gärtnerin) embodies a new guiding model (Leitbild) of economic activity that could replace the entrepreneur.

Silvana Moscatelli, Hamid El Bilali, Mauro Gamboni, Roberto Capone · AGROFOR · Global

This review paper argues for a holistic, multidimensional, interdisciplinary, and systemic approach to understanding food systems "from farm to fork" -- production, processing, trade, distribution, and consumption -- as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable food security amid population growth, resource scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. It states that cross-cutting issues such as gender, innovation, and technology should also be considered, and it lists alternative food consumption and production models linking production and consumption -- organic agriculture, urban agriculture, community-supported agriculture, and short food chains -- among the options that can help foster a shift toward sustainable food systems.

Ina Opitz, Regine Berges, Annette Piorr, Thomas Krikser · Agriculture and Human Values · Global

An extensive literature review systematically analyzed urban and peri-urban agriculture in the Global North, comparing their spatial, ecological, and socio-economic characteristics. The study found that urban and peri-urban agriculture differ in most characteristics and in their ability to meet urban food needs. Urban agriculture primarily meets household-level food needs, while peri-urban agriculture provides larger quantities and broader distribution pathways, indicating distinct roles in food security. Both forms of agriculture face similar threats from urbanization pressures.

Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Yuji Hara, Danai Thaitakoo · Landscape and Urban Planning · Thailand (Bangkok)

This 2015 study in peri-urban Bangkok, Thailand, used field interviews and GIS analysis to examine food-related behaviors and land use changes. It found that traditional wet markets remained important hubs, but there was little connection between farmers and nearby wet markets in the same district. This lack of connection constricted positive feedback between producers and consumers in peri-urban areas.

Matthew Thompson · Antipode · United Kingdom (Liverpool)

This paper explores the community land trust (CLT) model as an institutional solution to urban decline, focusing on a case study in Granby, Liverpool, England. The Granby CLT campaign aims to collectively acquire empty homes, with guerrilla gardening playing a role in gaining political trust and financial support. The study discusses the CLT model's potential for democratic stewardship and the contradictions that may undermine its political legitimacy.

Mary J. Thornbush · AIMS environmental science · Global

This review paper examines global trends in urban agriculture as a climate change mitigation and adaptation approach. It presents urban agriculture as a land-use solution that enhances food security, sequesters carbon, and offers rural services within cities. The review discusses physical and human factors influencing urban agriculture adoption, integrating a social-ecological perspective.

Sheryn D. Pitman, Christopher B. Daniels, Martin Edward Ely · Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia · Australia

A literature review conducted between 2012 and 2014 for the South Australian Green Infrastructure Project established the diverse benefits of Green Infrastructure. These benefits include temperature modification, improved human health, enhanced community liveability, effective water management, increased economic prosperity, biodiversity conservation, and extensive urban food production. The paper primarily focuses on Green Infrastructure's contribution to climate adaptation and protection.

Marta Camps‐Calvet, Johannes Langemeyer, Laura Calvet‐Mir, Erik Gómez‐Baggethun, Hug March · Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) · Spain (Barcelona)

This research examined the role of urban gardens in building community resilience and articulating resistance in Barcelona, Spain, based on data from 27 urban gardening initiatives (13 self-governed, 14 public). Results showed that urban gardens contribute to resilience by fostering social and ecological diversity, transmitting local ecological knowledge, and creating opportunities for collective action and self-organization.

Firehiwot Mezgabu, Degefa Tolossa · Ethiopian journal of development research · Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

A 2015 study in Yeka Sub City, Addis Ababa, assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to the food security of 86 households. Findings showed that 74.4% of the households were food-secure, while 24.4% and 1.2% were mildly and severely food-insecure, respectively. Urban agriculture contributed to one-third of household income and played a significant role in improving food security and income, but lack of farmland and water were identified as major challenges.

Daniel Andrés Vega Castro · Luna Azul · Colombia

A 2015 descriptive study in Colombia evaluated the production of criolla potato Solanum phureja 'Paisa' clone in an urban context. High-density polyethylene double-bottom containers and agroecological production techniques, including fertilization based on organic matter, minerals, and microorganisms, were used. Results showed an average production of 528.36 g/plant for S. phureja in containers, indicating a viable alternative compared to average production in Colombia and the department of Cundinamarca.

Rose Tardiff · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University) · United States

The Salt City Harvest Farm (SCHF) in Kirkville, NY, is an all-volunteer project with limited capacity and concerns about long-term sustainability, despite providing benefits to New American participants. Research identified challenges and suggested organizational improvements, including clearly defining roles and integrating New Americans into decision-making. The study found that the SCHF would best suit participants' interests by remaining a place for growing their own food rather than transitioning to an incubator model.

Altair Luiz da Silva, Ester Pereira de Oliveira Gomes, Alfeu Ohlweiler, Flavio Renato da Silva · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil

The agroecological community garden in the Patativa do Assaré settlement, 54 km from Sao Gabriel do Oeste-MS, Brazil, operates through a partnership involving the Settlers' Association, Agrarian Development and Rural Extension Agency, and Municipal Government. From May to August 2014, ten settler families, mostly women, commercialized over 780 kg and 1770 bunches of 24 different vegetable items. Produce is sold at municipal open-air markets and through the National School Feeding Program (PNAE).

Susan Andreatta · Culture Agriculture Food and Environment · Global

This paper examines the historical role of Victory Gardens and explores their potential relevance today for addressing climate change and reducing food deserts. It also discusses community gardens, ideas for connecting people to local food production at home or in communities, and the sharing of harvests. Additionally, the paper considers agrivoltaic production as a method for dual-purposing farmland for both power generation and produce cultivation.

Megan Bradley · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University) · South Africa (Cape Town)

A study on local food initiatives in Cape Town, South Africa, explored their role in sustainable community development, focusing on food sovereignty, community capacity, and social capital. Through in-depth interviews, conversations with participants, and observations of community gardens and markets, findings suggested that these initiatives empower community development, both economically and socially, through principles of food sovereignty, social capital, and education.

Soyoung 백소영Baek, Mooyoung 한무영Han · 한국생태환경건축학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea (Seoul)

A comparative study of a concave green roof and a normal roof was conducted on building #35 at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. The study aimed to validate the effects on urban flood mitigation, urban heat island reduction, and food production. The concave green roof demonstrated a 60% reduction in peak flow quantity, a 3-hour delay in peak time, and stored 6.7 tons of rainwater per 140 m². A temperature difference of 27 °C was observed, and the 420 m² green roof for urban agriculture is managed by over 30 households near the campus.

Lea Rekow · · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)

This paper describes key initiatives in urban agriculture within Rio de Janeiro's favela communities, which are experiencing displacement and destabilization due to rapid urbanization policies. These initiatives aim to create resilient and productive spaces, particularly addressing food and nutrition security amidst socio-economic and security landscape changes.

Eric Holt-Giménez · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

This paper argues that the modern food system, shaped by 30 years of neoliberal globalization, has led to unprecedented global inequality, disproportionately affecting people of color. Despite the emergence of a U.S. food movement focusing on various components like urban agriculture, the underlying structures of the corporate food regime continue to control the context of these alternatives, hindering systemic change.

Simon Hazell, Victoria Delbridge, Beatrice Conradie · UR UCT Undergraduate Research · South Africa

A study in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, South Africa, interviewed 50 participants in the Mothers Unite programme to assess the benefits and constraints of homestead-based urban agriculture. Despite the potential for food gardening to alleviate food insecurity and free up 11% of household income, two-thirds of the group had not tried it. Barriers to adoption included lack of space and limited cash flow, with respondents showing little concern for water or compost costs.

Isidor Wallimann · · Switzerland (Basel)

In 2010, the SEA founded the Urban Agriculture Network Basel Association (UAB) to enhance food production for the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and the urban space. The UAB aims to strengthen the SSE's focus on local and environmental sustainability and shift Basel's food policy towards "food sovereignty." The network fosters social integration by issuing its own hour-based currency and has contributed to building a pilot Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producer-consumer coop for solar-powered cheese.

Yan Xiaohui · Digital Commons - Lingnan (Lingnan University) · China

This paper presents a lecture by Mr. Yan Xiaohui on Community and Ecological Agriculture, focusing on the experiences and reflections of Little Donkey Farm. The lecture discusses the farm's origins, current activities, and future vision for a shared community.

Sarah Oloo Masawa, George G. Wagah, Reuben Oyoo Mosi · International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences · Kenya

This 2011 study in Bondo Sub County, Kenya, assessed the integration of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPUagr) into urban planning, using a descriptive survey design with 368 households and 248 traders. A major challenge identified was the lack of supportive local policy and legal frameworks for UPUagr, and problems with its integration into broader urban development plans. The study found that UPUagr complemented rural agriculture and increased food system efficiency.