Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
59 results(1 / 3)
Urban Farming Microinterventions: Design-Led Case Studies from Poland
2026Aleksandra Nowysz, Łukasz Szczepanowicz · Sustainability · Poland
This paper examines the effectiveness of urban farming microinterventions through three design-led case studies in Poland. The cases include "Blooming Structure" (2018, Warsaw), a temporary hydroponic installation; "Micro-cultivation" (2018, Warsaw), a shopfront vertical demonstration farm; and "Micro-cultivation 2" (2019), modular cultivation furniture. The analysis combined project documentation with practice-based observations, applying five interpretive dimensions: spatial fit, technical feasibility, communicative legibility, replicability, and social programming. Findings indicate that successful microinterventions align legible cultivation infrastructure with high visibility, accessibility, and participatory formats that support skills transfer and copying-based scaling. Limitations of this study include the small sample size and its concentration on projects from Poland.
DIYCommunityFood educationDigital agricultureProducing Bokashi Compost from Vegetable and Fruit Wastes and Characteristics of Compost
2025· Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · Turkey
Produces bokashi compost by fermenting vegetable and fruit wastes with lacto serum and bran in vacuum buckets for 28 days, then characterizes the resulting compost.
DIYCompostFood losspicoSMMS: Development and Validation of a Low-Cost and Open-Source Soil Moisture Monitoring Station
2025Kootanoor Sheshadrivasan V., Langhammer J., Scheiffele L., Terschlüsen J., Francke T. · Sensors · Germany
Develops an open-source, off-grid, low-cost soil moisture monitoring station (picoSMMS) built from consumer electronics and programmed in MicroPython, and performs unit-specific calibration of a popular low-cost capacitive sensor (DFRobot SEN0193).
DIYEconomicsHomegarden (forest garden) systems and Food Forests: High Productivity on Small Areas
2025Daniel Fischer · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Europe
Homegardens, also known as forest gardens or food forests, are a diverse and sustainable agroforestry model that mimics natural ecosystems by combining trees, shrubs, and other useful plants or small livestock. These systems are gaining popularity in Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland, due to their high productivity and the wide range of benefits they offer on limited space. The FAO defines these systems as agrisilvopasture.
DIYCommunityBiodiversityInvest & investigate
2025Curnier, Sonia, Berrada, Reda · ArODES (HES-SO (https://www.hes-so.ch/)) · Netherlands (Amsterdam)
This chapter stated that creating special places in landscape architecture requires investment and investigation. It presented a spectrum of special projects, ranging from the private rooftop garden Groenmarkt in the historic center of Amsterdam, Netherlands, to the public outdoor pool Järvabadet in the multiethnic suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden.
DIYCommunityPolicyPflanzMit! - Das Urban Gardening Network
2025Storey, Benjamin · TIB Repositorium · Germany
The PflanzMit! project is an innovative initiative aiming to involve urban populations in the care and design of their green environment. The app enables users to organize and collaboratively work on planting and maintaining urban green spaces, strengthening social fabric and fostering a sense of community. The app offers organizational tools for group formation and task distribution, as well as practical aids like care tips, plant identification by photos, and AI-supported plant recommendations based on local conditions.
CommunityDIYDigital agricultureGrowing vegetables: A gateway to biodiversity in domestic gardens?
2025Blanche Collard, Quentin Dutertre, Emmanuelle Baudry · Landscape and Urban Planning · France
This study investigated the relationship between vegetable growing and biodiversity conservation in domestic gardens in France, using a nationwide online survey and ecological monitoring in a suburban area near Paris. 67% of surveyed gardeners nationwide had a vegetable garden, and no significant conflict was found between vegetable production and biodiversity conservation. Instead, synergies emerged, particularly in the stronger commitment of vegetable gardeners to their gardens, wild species, and nature, and in practices like more frequent planting.
BiodiversityDIYUrban–rural linkageGermany: Urban Farming as an Innovation and Application Environment of an Agile Start-Up Mindset
2024· Springer (book chapter) · Germany
A book chapter framing urban farming in Germany as an innovation and application environment for an agile start-up mindset, discussing entrepreneurial urban agriculture ventures.
EconomicsDIYOn the irrelevance of (peat-free) substrates - Qualitative insights into the social practices of hobby gardeners in Germany
2024Holger Braun, Dorothee Apfel, Benedikt Rilling, Carsten Herbes · Cleaner and Responsible Consumption · Germany
A study with 44 hobby gardeners in Germany found that substrates are not a major part of gardeners' social interactions, and price is the dominant purchase criterion for substrates, with sustainability not playing an important role. Although basic knowledge about peat is widespread, purchasing substrates is a utility-driven process with mostly passive information behavior.
Limited or null effectCommunityClimate changeDIYOrganic cycleFrom Terrain Vague to Vague Farm: Cultivating Urban Vacant Land through Practices of Commoning
2024Lorenzo Stefano Iannizzotto, Alexandra Paio, Camilla Perrone · Contesti Città territori progetti · Europe
This paper defines "Vague Farms" as projects in urban vacant spaces that combine urban gardening and local food production with the preservation of informal and spontaneous characteristics of "Terrain Vague." It analyzes five case studies from different European cities to illustrate the emergence of these practices. The study provides a theoretical introduction to Terrain Vague, examines community urban garden projects through the lens of Urban Commons, and proposes a definition of Vague Farms and their characteristics.
CommunityDIYUrban–rural linkageGrowing Your Own Food and Dietary Quality: Results from a Survey
2024Larissa S. Drescher, Carola Grebitus · EuroChoices · Europe
This study investigated the link between growing one's own food and dietary quality, using the Healthy Food Diversity Index, Berry-Index, and a produce consumption indicator. It found that growing food at home and in community gardens is associated with the highest fruit and vegetable consumption, while not growing any food is associated with the lowest produce consumption. Overall, the results indicate that growing food is linked to higher dietary quality values, suggesting potential health benefits from home and community gardens. The negative association between not growing food and diet quality highlights a need to promote food-growing programs.
DIYCommunityHealthDesign and validation of an open-sourced automation system for vertical farming
2023· HardwareX · United Kingdom
Designs and validates MACARONS, a scalable, customisable, open-sourced modular platform for plant care, monitoring, and transportation. It offers per-plant dosing, automated logging of temperature/humidity/images, and Python-programmable behaviours, validated by autonomously caring for five lettuce plants over five weeks under artificial lighting.
DIYEconomicsAn original and efficient fertilizer for cherry tomato plants grown in urban agriculture: Feral pigeon guano
2023Chloé Duffaut, Florence Brondeau, Julien Gasparini · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · France (Ivry-sur-Seine)
This study tested the effects of feral pigeon guano as a fertilizer on cherry tomato plants in an urban environment on a rooftop in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. In June 2017, 15g of guano was added to 15 cultivation bags, while 15 control bags received only water. After 15 days, guano-treated plants were taller and tended to have more flowers, and the total number and mass of harvested cherry tomatoes were one to two times higher than the control. However, the average mass per fruit was not affected by the treatment. The study concluded that pigeon guano is an efficient local fertilizer for cherry tomato plants in urban areas.
DIYOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageVertical Greening Systems: A Critical Comparison of Do-It-Yourself Designs
2022Dominici L., Comino E., Torpy F., Irga P. · Plants · Italy / Australia
An exploratory review of vertical greening system designs from scientific literature and community/commercial solutions, defining eight design models via six structural criteria and interviewing seven community garden groups to guide low-cost, small-scale DIY systems.
DIYCommunityDevelopment of a Low-Cost Open-Source Platform for Smart Irrigation Systems
2022Puig F., Rodríguez Díaz J.A., Soriano M.A. · Agronomy · Spain
Develops a low-cost, open-source IoT platform for smart irrigation that supports many sensors and can be easily integrated with other platforms.
DIYEconomicsGuerrilla gardening as normalised law-breaking: Challenges to land ownership and aesthetic order
2022Andrew Millie · Crime Media Culture An International Journal · United Kingdom
This article considered guerrilla gardening, which involves taking on other people’s land without permission. A qualitative study of guerrilla gardeners from the North West of England found that guerrilla gardening is a normalised form of law-breaking. Despite not necessarily being to everyone’s taste and gardeners having an autocratic view of property, it is broadly accepted and welcomed, even by those who enforce the law.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyDIYExercise, Urban Food Production, Preparation and Consumption: Implications, Benefits and Risks to Grow-Your-Own (GYO) Gardeners
2022Jonathan Stubberfield, Mads Troldborg, E. Louise Ander, N.M.J. Crout, Scott D. Young, Rupert Hough · Agronomy · United Kingdom
This study investigated the influence of gardening routines on health benefits and risks among 120 urban gardeners in the UK. Participants showed a correlation between autumn/winter gardening activity and fruit/vegetable consumption, with higher physical activity levels and lower BMI than average. However, while gardening offers health benefits, the health risks from gardening on soils mildly contaminated with cadmium and lead may outweigh these benefits, requiring formal consideration within a risk management framework.
Contamination & food safetyHealthDIYBiodiversityContributions of Green Infrastructure-Oriented Planning and Designing in Residential Gardens to the City’s Ecosystem: Case of Trabzon City, Turkey
2022Demet Ülkü Gülpınar Sekban, Duygu Akyol · Journal of Urban Planning and Development · Turkey (Trabzon)
This study examined the contribution of residential gardens to ecosystem services in Trabzon City, Turkey. It was determined that both spatial needs and ecosystem benefits can be met with the same Green Infrastructure (GI) elements, and landscape value is supported by GI elements such as edible gardens, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, biological ponds, and green roofs. GI elements combining vegetation and water landscape elements have a higher potential for ecosystem services. The study concluded that green areas of residential gardens should be planned and designed through a holistic GI-oriented approach based on the total building parcel.
BiodiversityPollinatorsDIYClimate changeLow Tunnels inside Mediterranean Greenhouses: Effects on Air/Soil Temperature and Humidity
2021· Agronomy · Mediterranean
Measures how simple low tunnels placed inside Mediterranean greenhouses modify the internal microclimate (air/soil temperature and humidity). Quantifies the effect of a low-cost season-extension/warming structure.
DIYLearning about Moss: Forming Communities of Inquiry
2021Hester Buck · Question Journal · United Kingdom (London)
This paper explores how different understandings of "community" converged during the participatory design of a moss wall at the R-urban community garden in London. The project addressed poor air quality, bringing together residents, activists, academics, and volunteers who formed a community of inquiry through meetings and workshops. The paper reflects on the successes and failures of engagement strategies, including challenges like apathy and misunderstanding.
CommunityDIYBiodiversityAssessing the Direct Resource Requirements of Urban Horticulture in the United Kingdom: A Citizen Science Approach
2021Miriam C. Dobson, Philip H. Warren, Jill L. Edmondson · Sustainability · United Kingdom
This nationwide citizen science project investigated resource demands of urban horticultural production in the United Kingdom using year-long diaries from 163 allotment gardeners. Findings showed an average allotment required 87 annual visits and 139 km of travel. Each kilogram of food produced used 0.4 hours of labor, 16.9 L of water, 0.2 L of topsoil, 2.2 L of manure, and 1.9 L of compost.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleEconomicsPolicyClimate changeINNOVATIVE URBAN FARMING TECHNIQUES FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF CITIES: FROM FARM TO FORK – CASE OF THE CITY LANUVIO, ROME, ITALY
2021Sangodoyin Olakunle. M, Shehata Mariam, D’Aprile Andrea, Calore Giuseppe, Lorianne Ginot, Correrella Maia, Elian Mariam, Aly Nada, Aboughanema Salma, Ali Sohaila, Aboulnaga Mohsen · International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology · Italy (Rome)
The "Green Symphony" project in Lanuvio, a municipality near Rome, Italy, transformed a vacant ARES site into a smart and sustainable urban farm. The project integrated aquaponic systems, permaculture, vertical farming, and energy harvesting technologies. The developed farm is projected to generate 7 tons of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and fish annually, create 3 stable jobs, and recoup investment costs within a maximum of 5 years.
DIYCommunityClimate changeFood educationOptimizing irrigation in urban agriculture for tomato crops in rooftop greenhouses
2021Felipe Parada, Xavier Gabarrell, Martí Rufí-Salís, Verónica Arcas‐Pilz, Pere Muñoz, Gara Villalba · The Science of The Total Environment · Spain (Barcelona)
This study investigated the agronomic performance and environmental life cycle impacts of three different fertigation management practices (open, 30% recirculation, and recirculation with a further 15% fresh water reduction) for tomato crops in a rooftop greenhouse in Barcelona. All three practices resulted in similar yields, but the recirculation with reduced fresh water input was the most water-efficient, requiring 48.7 liters per kg of tomato. In terms of environmental performance, the recirculation practice showed the best performance in most impact categories, particularly in marine and freshwater eutrophication, with 44% and 93% fewer impacts than the open management.
Climate changeDIYOrganic cycle노후 공동주택의 감축형 리모델링에 관한 연구 - 독일 Leinefelde House 1～7과 Halle (Saale), House 8의 사례분석을 중심으로 -
2021김명식 · 한국문화공간건축학회 논문집 · Germany
This study analyzes German cases of reduction-type remodeling for aging apartment housings to provide implications for Korea. It finds that reduction-type remodeling should align with urban regeneration plans, involving demolition of upper floors or vertical sections, and integration of units. Improved characteristics include private gardens for ground floor residents, rooftop gardens, and customized spaces after resident consultation.
DIYCommunityCharacterisation of aquaponic producers and small-scale facilities in Spain and Latin America
2021Gina Patricia Suárez‐Cáceres, Víctor M. Fernández‐Cabanás, José Lobillo-Eguíbar, Luis Pérez‐Urrestarazu · Aquaculture International · Spain
This study aimed to determine the profile and motivations of aquaponic producers, the characteristics of facilities, and production performance in Spain and Latin America. The average producer is a middle-aged man, motivated primarily by producing high-quality, healthy food, environmental concern, and autonomy. Facilities were mainly for education, self-consumption, and hobbies, many located on rooftops, adapting well to urban agriculture. Generally, there is a lack of proper knowledge and expertise to efficiently operate these complex systems.
DIYFood educationCommunityHealthEconomics