Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
855 results(1 / 35)
Urban gardening in Dhaka: Practices, constraints, and impacts
2026Akber M.A., Kumar S.S., Schreinemachers P. · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Survey of 1,320 Dhaka households finds rooftop gardeners consume 19% more vegetables and 7% more fruit than non-gardeners, while women manage 83% of urban gardens; key constraints are knowledge gaps and pests.
HealthEconomicsCommunityThe Effect of Gardening Activities Applied to Older People in a Nursing Home on Psychological Wellness and Depression: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
2026Kabakci, Uğur, Şengür · Public Health Nursing · Ordu, Türkiye
A single-blind randomized controlled trial with 46 older people in a nursing home in Türkiye tested the effect of gardening activities on psychological wellness and depression.
ElderlyHealthDose-response efficacy of horticultural therapy for geriatric depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
2026· Frontiers in Public Health · Global (systematic review)
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the dose-response efficacy of horticultural therapy for geriatric depression.
ElderlyHealthA systematic review of green gentrification and mental health
2026Catherine D. Brown, Alessandro Rigolon, Piper Zdrodowski, Amber L. Pearson · Health & Place · Global
A systematic review of 16 articles linking green gentrification — rising costs and resident turnover following green space investment — to mental health. Four negative pathways recur: financial stress and housing insecurity from rising housing costs, loss of sense of community as the population changes, exclusion of long-standing residents from the new green space itself, and anxiety about exposure to historical contamination. The review also records benefits, including opportunities for relaxation and improved aesthetics. Because the included studies are largely cross-sectional, the authors state that longitudinal designs are needed before causal claims can be made.
HealthCommunityPolicyPromoting health and inclusion of people with refugee backgrounds through horticulture: A mixed-methods systematic review
2026Louise Emma O'Connor, Sarah Jay · Social Science & Medicine · Global
A mixed-methods systematic review searching four databases for research published between 2015 and 2024 on horticulture and the health and inclusion of people with refugee backgrounds; 20 peer-reviewed studies were included and integrated using a 'best-fit' framework synthesis. Horticultural activity is reported to support mental, physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cognitive and economic wellbeing, and to enhance social inclusion through social connections, social capital, collective identity and intercultural exchange. With only 20 studies, mostly qualitative, the review does not quantify effect sizes or identify the conditions under which these benefits do or do not occur.
WelfareCommunityHealthFood is Medicine in Action: Dietary and Food Security Outcomes of a Health Care–Based Community-Supported Agriculture Program
2026Kathryn Colasanti, Flavio Di Stefano, Jae Gerhart, Alison Shores, Katelyn Smoger · Health Promotion Practice · Global
This study explored the dietary intake and food security impacts of a healthcare-based Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with dual referral pathways, collecting 164 pretest-posttest surveys. Findings showed increased fruit and vegetable intake and improved household food security after program participation. However, no correlation was found between changes in food security status and length of participation, nor was there a significant relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and length of participation.
CSA & TeikeiHealthWelfareNIÑEZ, DIVERSIDAD FUNCIONAL Y AGROECOLOGÍA: APRENDIZAJES EN UN HUERTO URBANO INCLUSIVO DE CHILE
2026Josué Martínez-Lagos, Homero Barría Ojeda, Gabriel Peña Peña · · Chile
This study documented an agroecological urban gardening intervention at the Teletón Institute in Puerto Montt, Chile, focusing on children with functional diversity. An inclusive urban garden and workshop program integrated educational and therapeutic processes. Results showed that 71% of participants identified at least ten vegetable species, 64% understood their life cycles, 79% progressed in functional and autonomy dimensions, and 93% perceived the garden as promoting well-being.
Food educationHealthCommunityWelfareImpact of gardening and nutrition support provided to women in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
2026Liz Ignowski, Pepijn Schreinemachers, Md Maniruzzaman, Regine Kopplow, Nasir Md. Uddin, Mercy Mwambi · Food Policy · Bangladesh (Cox’s Bazar)
A cluster-randomized controlled trial with 1050 pregnant and lactating women in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, evaluated a home garden and nutrition program. The intervention increased garden adoption by 17 percentage points and households sourcing produce from their gardens by 57 percentage points. It also improved nutrition knowledge by 23 percentage points and reduced household food insecurity by 66%, leading to one additional serving of fruit per week, but no significant increase in vegetable intake.
HealthFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityPositive Youth Development and Connection with Nature through Urban Agriculture
2026Casey T Ortbahn, Marijke Hecht, Kristi S. Lekies · Journal of Youth Development · Global
This qualitative study used photovoice to explore 16 high school youths' perceptions of a youth gardening program's impact on their confidence, connection, and sense of belonging. Thematic analysis of photos, posters, and interviews identified meaningful relationships with peers, adults, nature, and more-than-human beings as supporting factors. The analysis suggests nature is a crucial context for youth development and that youth can form meaningful relationships with more-than-human beings.
Food educationCommunityHealthUrban liveability, health and wellbeing are intricately linked to large, quality, biodiverse green spaces, not densification
2026Charlie M. Shackleton, Nanamhla Gwedla, Jessica P. R. Thorn · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Global
This article discusses the long-standing debate on whether cities can be both dense and green, noting that some cities have achieved both. It questions whether densification is the sole driver of declines in urban green space and proposes deepening the debate by considering eight other dimensions of urban greening. The article also mentions compact urban greening forms like vertical gardens and green roofs, but states that most are poor surrogates for large, connected, biodiverse green spaces.
BiodiversityHealthPolicySchool gardens as socio-ecological learning systems: supporting adolescent food security and resilience
2026L. Lue, K. Reis, H. Kanasa, S. Rutherford, C. Desha · Environmental Education Research · Global
A review of 22 studies (2001-2024) across six countries, primarily the US and Canada, examined how high school garden programs support adolescent food security and resilience. Findings indicated contributions across multiple socio-ecological levels, but uneven implementation significantly constrained their overall impact. Specifically, opportunities for shared decision-making were limited, and short-term, inconsistent support for policy, funding, and governance structures restricted long-term effectiveness.
Limited or null effectFood educationHealthCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePERCEPTIONS ON URBAN-BASED GARDENING IN THE CITY OF ISABELA, BASILAN, PHILIPPINES
2026Bendijo, S.A., Rebuza, A.O., Pedillon, J.M., Amilbahar, G.V., Tabal, E.P. · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Philippines
This study in Isabela City, Philippines, explored community perceptions of urban gardening (UG). While awareness was linked to food security and sustainability, and perceived benefits included health, cost savings, and social cohesion, the adoption of UG was hindered by a lack of interest and resource constraints. Preferred UG forms like rooftop gardens and specific vegetables indicated aspirations for cost savings and nutrient content, but obstacles remain.
Economic viabilityCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsWastewater reuse in urbanperi-urban agriculture of Dakar: Salmonella species contamination in water and market garden produce
2026Ndiaye Awa, Diallo Ibrahima, Dieng Amadou, Ba Ibrahima, Sembene Mbacke · African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Senegal
This study in Dakar, Senegal, assessed Salmonella contamination in irrigation water and lettuce across three urban agricultural sites. Sites using wastewater (Pikine and Patte d’Oie) showed high Salmonella prevalence in water (70-90%) and vegetables (20-80%), while a tap water site (Lendeng) had no contamination. Market-sourced lettuce also tested positive (28.57%), indicating public health risks from untreated wastewater use.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPeri-urban agricultureOrganic cycleEffects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) in rooftop garden
2026Monika Kundu, Rezowana Nizam, Suraya Parvin, Nigar Afsana, Konika Kundu, P. A. Bithy, Mohammad Mahbub Islam · Bangladesh Journal of Botany · Bangladesh
A pot experiment in a rooftop garden investigated the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on lettuce growth, yield, and antioxidant properties. Treatments with cowdung, alone or combined with vermicompost and biochar, increased plant height, leaf number, and shoot weight compared to control and inorganic fertilizer. Antioxidant compounds increased with organic fertilizers but decreased with inorganic fertilizers, suggesting organic fertilizers improve lettuce yield and quality in rooftop gardens.
DIYOrganic cycleHealthThe role of school gardens in supporting teachers’ psychological well-being and landscape development in special education schools: A systematic literature review
2026Anqi Liu, Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Shureen Faris Abdul Shukor, Mohd Sallehudin Mat Noor · International Journal of Asian Social Science · Global
This systematic literature review analyzed 33 studies published between 2005 and 2025 in English and Chinese, synthesizing findings on psychological stress sources for special education teachers, the functions and restorative value of school gardens, and research progress on landscapes in special education schools. Primary stress sources for special education teachers included emotional labor, behavioral management, parental communication, and role ambiguity. School gardens were found to have educational, restorative, and therapeutic functions that foster experiential learning, reduce stress, and strengthen teacher-student relationships. However, validated frameworks for restorative design in special education campuses are still lacking.
HealthFood educationThe impact of school activities carried out in vegetable gardens on the eating habits of elementary school students: an integrative review
2026Joana Baier, Karla P. Machado, Luiz Ernesto Costa‐Schmidt · Figshare · Global
This study analyzed the impacts of activities developed in school gardens on the eating habits of children in the early years of Elementary School through an integrative literature review. Searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library databases for articles published from 2015 onward identified 24 eligible studies. The studies showed positive effects of garden-based interventions on consumption, acceptance, preference, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes toward fruits and vegetables, with some also reporting positive effects on anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Recurrent limitations included short intervention durations, low caregiver involvement, and high demand for human, structural, and material resources.
Food educationHealthFarm
2026Catherine Dee · · Global
The sylvan spatial pattern "Farm" describes a place where food, trees, and shrubs are cultivated, often supporting annual and perennial crops within and under tree canopies. These farms can range from small street corner groves to extensive orchards or parklands within or around urban areas. Sylvan city farms integrate health, educational, cultural, and economic functions for city dwellers, serving as schools, commons, cooperatives, and places of employment.
CommunityHealthEconomicsBiodiversityCommunity Gardens as a Strategy to Address Food Insecurity: A Community-Based Qualitative Study
2026Agaezi Sonya · Community Medicine & Public Health Care · Global
This qualitative study explores community gardens as a strategy to address food insecurity, which disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized communities. Community gardens are presented as local spaces that may enhance access to nutritious foods and promote social connection and cultural continuity.
CommunityWelfareHealthCalling plants to the rescue - mitigating the detrimental effects of warfare with phytotechnology
2026Henrik Haller, Elisabeth Simelton, Oskar Englund · npj Science of Plants · Global
This study summarizes three plant-based strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of armed conflicts. These strategies include increased food security through urban gardening, gardening for meaning-making amidst conflict and supporting social cohesion and mental health, and post-war phytoremediation.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityCultivando inquietudes nos mantenemos vitales: una experiencia de participación de personas con deficiencia visual grave en un huerto urbano
2026N. Bueno Pulido · RED Visual Revista Especializada en Discapacidad Visual · Global
This 2026 study describes an activity for older adults with severe visual impairment or blindness, affiliated with ONCE, who moved from rural areas to cities and experience loneliness. Recognizing their nostalgia for rural life and gardening, the project connected them with community urban gardens managed by neighborhood and environmental associations. The activity, part of the "Somos vitales" initiative, involved three sessions focused on active collaboration, interaction, and sharing, aiming to revitalize participants and foster new connections.
CommunityElderlyHealthWelfareUsage de pesticides interdits et non homologués en maraîchage périurbain à Kinshasa : cas de Kimwenza et Ndjili Cecomaf
2026Réné Kasende Disashi, Belloty Mundadi Ngeteke, Dorcas Sola Tabitha, Prescilia Mabubu Pembe, Fanny BAKOMBA KIKOBO, Denise OKITO WIKANU, Esther MPIANA MUKANIA, Sarah Kinsona Bombili, Esther Kimpala Karuna, Clément Munganga Kilingwa, Rosie Mubindukila Nzamba · European Scientific Journal ESJ · Congo (Kinshasa)
A study conducted from June 10 to July 20, 2025, in peri-urban market gardens of Kimwenza and Ndjili Cecomaf in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, surveyed 68 market gardeners on the use of prohibited and unauthorized pesticides. The findings revealed an alarming reliance on informal supply channels, with six out of 27 identified pesticides being formally prohibited. Despite 94.3% of gardeners acknowledging risks, only 9.6% used full protective equipment, and 32.7% took no precautions.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthPolicyPhysicochemical Characterization of Surface Waters under Lettuce and Rice Cultivation in the City of Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire
2026Bahi Aristide Armand, Ohou-Yao Marie Jeanne, Kouamé Leonard Kouadio, Sahiri Grâces Kérène, Akpètou Lazare, Akessé Djamatché Paul, Koné Oumar, Dongui Bini Kouamé · International Journal of Environment and Climate Change · Côte d’Ivoire (Daloa)
This study characterized the physicochemical quality of surface waters at 30 sampling points in lettuce and rice cultivation areas in Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire, from January 2024 to January 2025. Physicochemical analyses revealed spatial variability in water quality parameters, with marked fluctuations influenced by agricultural activities. The findings indicate that surface waters are exposed to contamination from farming practices, domestic activities, and rapid urbanization.
Contamination & food safetyHealthClimate changeOrganic cycleHeat exposure and agricultural workers' health: A global systematic review with implications for Peri-urban and semi-urban Southeast Asia
2026Nu Quy Linh Tran, Cordia Chu, Hai Phung, Son Nghiem, Han Le, Tuyet-Hanh Tran, Dung Phung · Urban Climate · Global
This global systematic review analyzed 97 studies from 27 countries on heat exposure and agricultural workers' health. The majority of studies (54.6%) were from North America, with Africa, South America, and Asia significantly underrepresented. Common health outcomes included self-reported heat-related illnesses (27.8%) and kidney issues (20.6%), but cardiovascular health, mortality, and mental well-being remain significantly understudied. In Southeast Asia, urbanization increases heat risk for peri-urban agricultural workers, as these zones often lack infrastructure, healthcare, and regulatory protections, exacerbating exposure to extreme heat, particularly from the urban heat island effect.
Environmental trade-offsHealthClimate changePeri-urban agricultureFruit-waste biochar for immobilizing potentially toxic elements in contaminated agricultural soils and reducing vegetable-related human health risks: A systematic review.
2026Nelson Joseph Msacky, Amelia Alfred, Oscar Punguti, Edson Protas, Iddi Mapande, Novatus, Shukrani Phillip, January G Msemakweli · Open MIND · Global
This systematic review aims to synthesize current scientific evidence on the effectiveness of fruit-waste-derived biochar in immobilizing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in contaminated agricultural soils. It will evaluate how fruit-waste biochar reduces metal bioavailability, plant uptake, and associated human health risks from vegetable consumption. The review also seeks to identify which fruit wastes are used as biochar feedstocks and which biochar properties and production conditions influence immobilization performance, noting that existing research is fragmented.
Contamination & food safetyCompostOrganic cycleHealthPeri-urban agricultureBEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF URBAN FARMING ADOPTION IN MALAYSIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY USING THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
2026Hamed Faghiri, Zulkornain Yusop · International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution · Malaysia
This qualitative study investigated the behavioral intentions of urban citizens towards urban farming in Malaysia, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. Semi-structured interviews with 50 participants from major urban centers in Peninsular Malaysia revealed that positive attitudes, such as valuing food freshness, health benefits, and environmental impact, strongly motivate participation. Subjective norms are shaped by family support, community inspiration, and the growing visibility of urban farming, while perceived behavioral control depends on factors like space, time, and access to knowledge and technology. Participants with higher self-efficacy and greater community involvement showed more willingness to engage in urban farming.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsFood education