Urban Agriculture Research Articles

Pengembangan Inovasi Smart Aeroponik sebagai Upaya Efisiensi Urban Farming Produktif Ramah Energi

This article explores the development and application of smart aeroponic innovation as an effort to improve efficiency in energy-friendly urban farming. Smart aeroponics, which utilizes sensor technology and automatic control systems, is designed to maximize plant growth while minimizing energy and water use. In this community service project, we implemented a smart aeroponic system in several urban locations and trained local communities in its operation and maintenance. Evaluation of the results showed that this system can increase energy efficiency by up to 70% when compared to hydroponics with the Deep Flow Technique (DFT) method or each can save 29.02 kWh for mustard greens cultivation. And 41.00 kWh for lettuce cultivation. The potential of this technology is an effort to improve the efficiency of urban agriculture, but also provides significant ecological and economic benefits for urban communities, so that it can be a sustainable model for future agricultural development.

SISTEME VERTICALE HIDROPONICE: INTENSIFICAREA REZISTENȚEI LA CLIMĂ, EFICIENȚEI APEI ȘI AGRICULTURII URBANE

This paper explores hydroponic vertical systems as a sustainable solution to modern agricultural challenges, particularly those posed by climate change. Hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions, offers significant advantages over traditional farming. Vertical systems maximize space efficiency by growing plants in stacked layers, making them ideal for urban environments with limited space. These systems provide a controlled environment that mitigates the impacts of extreme weather, ensuring consistent crop production. The paper reviews various hydroponic techniques, including deep water culture, nutrient film technique, flood and drain, and drip irrigation. It highlights the efficiency of water use in hydroponics, crucial for areas facing water scarcity. Advanced technologies, such as sensors, automated nutrient delivery, and LED lighting, are employed to optimize growing conditions, enhance resource use efficiency, and improve crop yields. LED lights, in particular, offer energy efficiency, customizable spectra, and low heat output. Mathematical models are used to maximize plant development and resource efficiency, providing a framework for understanding plant-environment interactions. Despite high initial setup costs and the need for technical expertise, hydroponic systems present long-term economic and environmental benefits. This paper underscores hydroponic vertical systems' potential to revolutionize urban agriculture, ensuring food security and sustainability amidst climate change challenges.

Farmer-oriented predictors of smallholder urban pig farming challenges and adoption of sustainable management practices in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

Farmer-oriented predictors of smallholder urban pig farming challenges and adoption of sustainable management practices in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

Estimating the global warming potential of animal waste-based organic liquid fertilizer for urban hydroponic farms

Urban farms, particularly those utilizing vertical space and hydroponics, have the potential to address many challenges of the existing food system. The use of organic inputs in hydroponics can conserve dwindling non-renewable resources and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer production and use. The study compared plant growth using organic liquid fertilizer (OLF) from insect and chicken waste in a two-step aerobic bioreactor. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants were grown with an inorganic fertilizer control and a novel OLF at two separate locations. In the first part of the study, plant yield, nutrient uptake and tissue elemental composition were used to validate the functional equivalency of OLF versus inorganic fertilizer. The second part of the study used these results to conduct a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify GHG mitigation potential of the novel OLF. N-mass balance showed a liquid nitrogen conversion rate ∼40% for the bioreaction. Solid output from the bioreaction contained approximately 35% of the initial N. N-gaseous loss was approximately 25% of total N-input. Because the nature of gaseous N-loss was unknown, LCA modeled different scenarios varying the percent of gaseous N-loss as N2O, as it is the only nitrogen-based gas with appreciable global warming potential. Models showed that N2O leakage during bioreaction must be below 5% of total N-input for OLF to mitigate GHG emissions associated with fertilizer usage in urban hydroponic production. Further studies should focus on direct quantification and characterization of gaseous N-loss during this type of bioreaction.

Integrating vertical farm into low-carbon high-rise building in high-density context: A design case study in Hong Kong

Today's world faces multiple challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. In addition, in the post-pandemic era, there is an urgent need to re-design urban habitats to reduce the epidemic's enduring impacts and reconnect citizens with healthy community activities. As a city with the top population density level in the world, Hong Kong is home to many high-rise communities. This article took the architectural design competition “Green Tower Hong Kong” as an entry point to discuss the technical feasibility and design strategies of integrating high-rise residential buildings with urban agriculture to improve urban food security, enhance on-site solar energy utilization, and develop a sustainable residential environment conducive to low-carbon living and working. The issue of how to improve the dietary structure of Hong Kong residents and reconnect them through space design was focused. Finally, taking the site of Kwun Tong Center as the case study, a resilient residential high-rise building integrated with shared gardens and greenhouses was proposed with a technical-oriented methodology and optimization framework. The final design of mixed-use buildings can provide apartments for 2500 individuals, produce 340,750 kg of vegetables with 156 % self-sufficiency, and generate electricity of 1,080,000 kWh annually. This paper examines strategies for integrating urban agriculture into high-rise residential buildings in high-density urban environments. It proposes a technology-based design optimization method, offering a reference for future explorations of low-carbon, resilient communities.

Sustainable utilization of cultivated land resources based on "element coupling-function synergy" analytical framework: A case study of Guangdong, China

Solely focusing on the agricultural production function of cultivated land resources is not conducive to the various demands for meeting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing the multifunctionality of cultivated land and understanding the interrelationships between individual functions are crucial for the rational planning and utilization of resources. This paper introduces an "element coupling-function synergy" analytical framework for the sustainable utilization of cultivated land resources. The proposed framework is based on the causal relationships between elements and functions within the cultivated land system. Subsequently, a causal Bayesian belief network was constructed to identify trade-offs and synergies among multiple functions of cultivated land resources in Guangdong, China. The findings reveal trade-offs between food cleanliness and food production/social security, and synergistic relationships among food production, social security, and ecological regulation, as well as among ecological regulation, habitat maintenance and landscape culture. The study area was divided into eight functional zones: Green Agricultural Zone, Agro-inputs Control Zone, Urban Agricultural Zone, Major Grain-producing Zone, Modern Agricultural Zone, Agro-ecological Preservation Zone, Agro-ecological Tourism Zone, Quality Improvement Zone. Multi-objective management plans were formulated for optimizing multifunctional relationships within each zone. The analysis result reveals the importance of nutrient conditions and ecological environments for the sustainable management of cultivated land. Consequently, specific policy recommendations are proposed accordingly. This paper may not only advance understanding of the multifunctionality of cultivated land but can also provide valuable insights for land-use planning to ensure the judicious and sustainable management of cultivated land resources.

Potential of ecological water treatment elements to reduce pollution of river water used for urban agriculture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cities in developing countries, such as Addis Ababa, face enormous challenges as a result of high demand for food and clean water, as well as the generation of large amounts of urban waste that is discharged into natural water bodies, contaminating rivers, lakes, and other freshwater bodies used in urban agriculture. Farmers in Addis Ababa and nearby areas use polluted irrigation water diverted from the highly contaminated Little and Great Akaki rivers. The study aimed to assess how well a floating treatment wetland with vetiver grass could reduce irrigation water pollution at the Mekanisa-Gofa-Lafto Cooperative (MGLC) farm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, the study sought to provide design recommendations that could be implemented at the farmer level. The irrigation water underwent a 7-day treatment using a Vetiver grass floating treatment wetland. A field test was also conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the floating treatment wetland in reducing pollutants at the study site. The results showed that the floating treatment wetland was able to reduce the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (73.68%), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (73.92%), Acidity/Basicity (pH) (0.39%), Chloride (Cl−) (43.12%), Total Hardness (66.56%) and Total Suspended Solid (TSS) (96.21%) values, approaching the recommended irrigation water quality guideline values within 3 days. In contrast, there was an increase in Electro Conductivity (EC) (22.2%) and Sodium (Na) (15.2%) concentrations, which exceeded the recommended values, due to evapotranspiration or the entry of the surrounding soil into the irrigation water of the study site.

Urban greening in Dhaka: Assessing rooftop agriculture suitability using GIS and MCDM techniques

Dhaka ranks among the world's most densely populated cities, with built-up areas expanding to accommodate the demands of a growing population. The rapid urbanization has reduced green space and exacerbated urban heat and pollution in the city. In the quest for a greener and healthier urban environment, rooftop agriculture has emerged as a promising solution, offering opportunities for the restoration of the environment and safe food production. Despite its potential, limited studies have explored the viability of this alternative greening solution for Dhaka. Therefore, this study aims to assess the suitability of rooftops for agricultural activities employing Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques. First, seven criteria were selected based on the literature, such as building age, height, rooftop size, building utility, property value, sunlight, and water availability. Second, an expert opinion survey was conducted using the Best Worst Method (BWM) to calculate the criteria's weights. Finally, the suitability map for Dhaka was derived by combining the criteria layers and was subsequently validated. Rooftop area and property value were identified as the most and least important criteria. Approximately 9% (6.27 km2), 68% (46.59 km2), 22% (15.15 km2), and a negligible portion (0.1 km2) of Dhaka city has been classified as highly suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, and not suitable, respectively, for rooftop agriculture. By identifying and promoting the most suitable locations for rooftop agriculture and highlighting existing opportunities, this research will help to initiate and expand sustainable agriculture practices that can contribute to climate change adaptation and urban resilience.

Identifying the Drivers Related to Animal Reservoirs, Environment, and Socio-Demography of Human Leptospirosis in Different Community Types of Southern Chile: An Application of Machine Learning Algorithm in One Health Perspective.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with global public health impact, particularly in poor socio-economic settings in tropical regions. Transmitted through urine-contaminated water or soil from rodents, dogs, and livestock, leptospirosis causes over a million clinical cases annually. Risk factors include outdoor activities, livestock production, and substandard housing that foster high densities of animal reservoirs. This One Health study in southern Chile examined Leptospira serological evidence of exposure in people from urban slums, semi-rural settings, and farm settings, using the Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm to identify key influencing factors. In urban slums, age, shrub terrain, distance to Leptospira-positive households, and neighborhood housing density were contributing factors. Human exposure in semi-rural communities was linked to environmental factors (trees, shrubs, and lower vegetation terrain) and animal variables (Leptospira-positive dogs and rodents and proximity to Leptospira-positive households). On farms, dog counts, animal Leptospira prevalence, and proximity to Leptospira-contaminated water samples were significant drivers. The study underscores that disease dynamics vary across landscapes, with distinct drivers in each community setting. This case study demonstrates how the integration of machine learning with comprehensive cross-sectional epidemiological and geospatial data provides valuable insights into leptospirosis eco-epidemiology. These insights are crucial for informing targeted public health strategies and generating hypotheses for future research.

Effects of Organic Soil Amendments on Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Urban Agriculture Environments

Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAOs) are widely used in urban agriculture to improve soil quality. Although BSAAO use is regulated due to risks for introducing foodborne pathogens, effects on antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria are not well established. Here, we aimed to explore the impacts of BSAAOs on levels of resident AMR bacteria in leafy vegetable production environments (i.e., kale, lettuce, chard, cabbage) across urban farms and community gardens in the greater Washington D.C. area (n = 7 sites). Leaf tissue (LT), root zone soil (RZS; amended soil in crop beds), and bulk soil (BS; site perimeter) were collected and analyzed for concentrations of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), ampicillin (Amp) or tetracycline (Tet) resistant THB, and coliforms. As expected, amended plots harbored significantly higher concentrations of THB than bulk soil (P < 0.001). The increases in total bacteria associated with reduced fractions of Tet-resistant bacteria (P = 0.008), as well as case-specific trends for reduced fractions of Amp-resistant bacteria and coliforms. Site-to-site variation in concentrations of AMR bacteria in soil and vegetable samples reflected differences in land history and crop management, while within-site variation was associated with specific amendment sources, as well as vegetable type and cultivar. Representative isolates of the AMR bacteria and coliforms were further screened for multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes, and a high frequency was observed for the former. In amended soils, as the soil pH (range 6.56–7.80) positively correlated with the fraction of Tet-resistant bacteria (rho = 0.529; P < 0.001), crop management strategies targeting pH may have applications to control related risks. Overall, our findings demonstrate that soil amendments promote soil bacteria concentrations and have important implications for limiting the spread of AMR bacteria, at least in the urban landscape.

Culinary tourism on the edge of Kali Code: Strategies for the development and empowerment of Kampung Surokarsan

The government has constructed a robust embankment in Kampung Surokarsan, formerly a landfill, now providing a clearer view of Kali Code's banks. Nevertheless, residents have not yet tapped into the potential of Kali Code's surroundings for public or tourism purposes. In this densely populated area with predominantly self-employment, the "Code Hijau Asri" farmer group in RT 13 and RT 14, RW 04, strives to enhance welfare and income through urban farming. This study aims to devise strategies for structuring culinary tourism in Surokarsan. Primary data from field observations and interviews complement secondary data from a literature review. SWOT analysis guides strategy formulation, emphasizing Strengths and Opportunities, Weaknesses and Opportunities, Strengths and Threats, Weaknesses and Threats. Tourism strategy follows the 5A approaches: Attractions, Activities, Accessibility, Facilities, and Accommodation, which leverage the urban farmer community and residents skilled in culinary businesses and Brazilian spinach cultivation. The formulated strategy focuses on the legibility of the area's entrance, zoning activities division, and showcasing attractions such as sunset views and urban village ambience.

Valorization of sewage sludge incineration ash as a novel soilless growing medium for urban agriculture and greenery

Limited open areas for urban agriculture and greenery have led to the search for innovative, sustainable growing media to strengthen the food supply and improve atmospheric quality for a resilient city. Rampant land developments have caused soil to become increasingly scarce. Sewage sludge incineration ash (SSIA), the by-product of waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration of sewage sludge, is a major municipal waste containing phosphorus-fertilizing nutrients. For the first time, we investigated the novel application of SSIA as a soilless plant-growing medium with built-in fertilizer. SSIA outperformed topsoil in bulk density, water-holding capacity, porosity, and nutrient content. However, it was found that SSIA has a high salinity and should be treated first. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.), a fast-growing glycophyte, thrived in the desalinated SSIA, showing growth and nutrient content comparable to the topsoil case. Simultaneously, it demonstrated phytoremediation. The SSIA residue was then recycled into cementitious materials, using desalinating water for mixing. SSIA upcycle into a growing medium facilitates urban resource management by utilizing nutrients in sewage waste for eco-friendly plant cultivation, benefiting urban agriculture and greenery. It is also a prudent valorization step before further recycling SSIA to reduce landfill requirements.

What Motivates Urban Dwellers to Engage in Urban Farming?

What Motivates Urban Dwellers to Engage in Urban Farming?

Exploring the Association of Urban Agricultural Practices with Farmers’ Psychosocial Well-Being in Dar es Salaam and Greater Lomé: A Perceptual Study

African urban agriculture (UA) has garnered attention for its contributions to food security and socio-economic improvement. However, its impact on the psychological well-being of farmers has received minimal focus. This study explores the psychosocial effects of UA by surveying 733 farmers in Dar es Salaam and Greater Lomé. Utilizing the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF) and bespoke questionnaires, our research evaluates the emotional benefits of urban farming. Findings from regression analyses and spatial assessments conducted using Python and QGIS 3.32.2-Lima indicate significant variations in UA-related happiness across different city zones, with peripheral farmers experiencing greater satisfaction than their urban counterparts. Notably, female farmers reported higher levels of happiness, underscoring UA’s potential to empower women. This study advocates for the integration of UA into urban planning frameworks to foster psychologically beneficial urban environments.

The contribution of urban farming to urban food security: the case of “Buruan SAE”

ABSTRACT This study focuses on urban farming practices in Bandung, West Java, known as Buruan SAE, a programme initiated by the Department of Food Security and Agriculture, Bandung. The objectives of this study are to analyse the effects of urbanisation on urban farming and to explore the potential of urban farming in supporting food security. This study uses a qualitative approach. The results of the study show 3 important issues: the diverse production of urban farming is able to meet the food needs of community members and some have already become independent farmers; there has been a change in the attitude of the people of Bandung city, through urban farming they have become ‘farmers’ a completely new activity for them; urban farming provides a source of income for the urban community. These findings suggest that urban farming can enhance the sustainability of the Buruan SAE community.

Urban Agriculture’s ‘Invisible’ Short Food Value Chain: How Small-scale Farming Contributes to Johannesburg Food Security

AbstractUrbanisation into poverty in cities of the global South gives impetus to urban agriculture (UA) as a strategy to improve food security for low-income residents. This study disputes that UA is a trivial sector by arguing through the invisible short food value chain lens that it contributes to food security in local communities. The study adopted the extended case method that immersed researchers for more than a year to understand the practices of 11 farming entities and 20 of their customers in Johannesburg. Open-ended interview guides were administered to key informants from the city, provincial government, and non-governmental organisations. Findings show that UA increases food availability in local communities through the short food value chain. However, the local economy is undocumented and invisible to city stakeholders, negatively affecting their land use planning decisions for the sector. Though stakeholder consensus on UA is still lacking, the City of Johannesburg recognised UA’s potential and allocated both temporary and permanent land access arrangements for farming. Small-scale farmers lack the capacity to supply formal institutions, which can be overcome by intermediaries, such as civil society facilitation. The limitations of UA manifest in its inability to attract labour and keep records which inhibits its potential and support at the city level.

Sustainability assessments of commercial urban agriculture – a scoping review

The field of urban agriculture has seen an increase in development and attention in recent years, with a large share of literature addressing whether urban agriculture may pose a solution for food insecurity and combat environmental impacts. However, few studies have examined the many sustainability claims of urban agriculture systems, especially for urban farms intended for larger output and commercial ends. In this study, we analyze sustainability assessments of urban agriculture for commercial implementation. We do this by exploring the methods employed for conducting sustainability analyses, outlining the different urban agriculture cultivation systems, analyzing which sustainability aspects are considered, looking into what the sustainability analyses conclude, and studying how authors anticipate the knowledge gained from their sustainability assessments can be used. Environmental aspects of sustainability were more often assessed than other sustainability aspects, and LCA research practice was used for the majority of environmental assessments. Some studies compared the environmental benefits of different types of urban agriculture systems, but this was not conclusive overall as to what systems would be more environmentally beneficial. This suggests that urban agriculture’s sustainability cannot be universally categorized but should be assessed in relation to specific environmental conditions and urban contexts. Future research should aim to develop more nuanced frameworks for evaluating the environmental, social, economic and governance impacts of urban agriculture.

Implementation Outline of Climate-Smart One Health: A System-Thinking Approach

The One Health (OH) concept has evolved significantly in recent decades, emerging as a key framework guiding international research and policy in managing new infectious diseases, chiefly zoonoses. While its initial conception revolved around managing zoonotic diseases as they traverse the interface between animals and humans through the environment, this concept has transformed beyond its origins as a collaboration solely between veterinary and public health stakeholders. Notably, the past decade has ushered in a new era of addressing complex issues in a novel manner. Emerging evidence has led to a fresh theoretical framework, highlighting interconnected terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Understanding these links is crucial in tackling emerging issues and resultant health challenges within these systems under what we call One Health 2.0. The current paper describes Climate-Smart One Health (CS-OH) and Climate-Smart Integrated Pest Management (CS-IPM) approaches, emphasizing holistic perspectives and practical tools. The One Health (OH) 2.0 concept applies to the agricultural sector and more specifically to agrifood systems exposed to climate change impacts. It is meant to address, in a comprehensive manner, soil, water, plant, animal, rural and urban farmers and farming communities, and consumer health issues. The One Health (OH) 2.0 concept is embodied in the Climate-Smart One Health (CS-OH) approach. The latter is designed for applications in agrifood systems. Pathways for the deployment of both CS-OH and CS-IPM interventions are proposed in this paper. A Ghanaian case is discussed.

Our cities, our farm lands: The socioeconomic determinants of urban households participation in urban agricultural production under climatic stressors

In Africa, urban agriculture is critical in addressing food security issues, economic and environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing regions such as urban Ghana. However, the factors that influence urban residents' participation in urban agricultural production under climate change adaptation has little space in the extant literature. Recognizing the increasing challenges posed by climate change, this study aims to understand the socio-economic factors influencing urban households' participation in agricultural activities and its implications for climate change adaptation and to draw urban households' socio-economic characteristics and their association with participating in urban agricultural production in the era of climate change effects in urban areas of Ghana. A quantitative approach is employed, involving a sample size of 362 urban households' across diverse neighbourhoods. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics—frequencies and percentages, inferential statistics—chi-square test and binary regression models, are employed to quantify the relationships between demographic factors and participation levels. The data suggests correlations between demographic variables, such as household size and income are significant at an alpha 0.05 in determining an urban household's participation in urban agricultural production under climatic stressors. Meanwhile, more urban households' in middle and high-class areas participate in urban agriculture than the lower class. Land acquisition is basically through purchasing which is a challenge in urban agriculture production. The study concluded that urban household size and monthly income are influential factors in urban households' participation in urban agricultural production even though land acquisition plays a factor. The study suggests that policymakers and stakeholders should harness the potential of urban agriculture for sustainable development in the era of climate change. This should be done through rolling out pro-poor urban development policies like pro-poor rights and legislation in urban areas; poor access to financial markets; and land tenure reforms that include flexible land holding and access by the poor.

GIS-Based Digital Twin Model for Solar Radiation Mapping to Support Sustainable Urban Agriculture Design

GIS-Based Digital Twin Model for Solar Radiation Mapping to Support Sustainable Urban Agriculture Design