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Eco-Efficiency Assessment and Food Security Potential of Home Gardening: A Case Study in Padua, Italy

Author

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  • Esther Sanyé-Mengual

    (Research Centre in Urban Environment for Agriculture and Biodiversity (ResCUE-AB), Department of Agricultural Sciences (DipSA), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Daniela Gasperi

    (Research Centre in Urban Environment for Agriculture and Biodiversity (ResCUE-AB), Department of Agricultural Sciences (DipSA), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Nicola Michelon

    (Research Centre in Urban Environment for Agriculture and Biodiversity (ResCUE-AB), Department of Agricultural Sciences (DipSA), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesco Orsini

    (Research Centre in Urban Environment for Agriculture and Biodiversity (ResCUE-AB), Department of Agricultural Sciences (DipSA), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Giorgio Ponchia

    (Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse Naturali e Ambiente (DAFNAE), Università degli Studi di Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy)

  • Giorgio Gianquinto

    (Research Centre in Urban Environment for Agriculture and Biodiversity (ResCUE-AB), Department of Agricultural Sciences (DipSA), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

In the expanding urban agriculture phenomenon in Europe, home gardens are a traditional form that have kept agriculture within cities, even becoming crucial in certain historical periods (e.g., war periods). However, horticultural practices in home gardens can also have negative consequences. The goal of this paper is to assess the eco-efficiency of home gardens as a type of urban agriculture. To do so, a case study in Padua (Italy) was evaluated following life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methods. A home garden of 30.6 m 2 and 21 crop cycles were evaluated. The functional unit of the assessment was 1 kg of harvested fresh vegetable at the consumption point, and the ReCiPe method was employed for impact assessment. Environmental assessment indicated that organic fertilization, use of tap water, mineral fertilization and pesticides were the most contributing elements of the entire life cycle. Furthermore, the relevance of garden design and crop selection was a determinant in the eco-efficiency results. The assessed home garden could satisfy the food requirements of between 1 and 2 members of the household. Crop management and design recommendations are provided to improve eco-efficiency and food security potential of home gardens.

Suggested Citation

  • Esther Sanyé-Mengual & Daniela Gasperi & Nicola Michelon & Francesco Orsini & Giorgio Ponchia & Giorgio Gianquinto, 2018. "Eco-Efficiency Assessment and Food Security Potential of Home Gardening: A Case Study in Padua, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2124-:d:153781
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Esther Sanyé-Mengual & Francesco Orsini & Giorgio Gianquinto, 2018. "Revisiting the Sustainability Concept of Urban Food Production from a Stakeholders’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Miriam C. Dobson & Philip H. Warren & Jill L. Edmondson, 2021. "Assessing the Direct Resource Requirements of Urban Horticulture in the United Kingdom: A Citizen Science Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Giuseppe Pulighe & Flavio Lupia, 2019. "Multitemporal Geospatial Evaluation of Urban Agriculture and (Non)-Sustainable Food Self-Provisioning in Milan, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag & Ioan Banatean-Dunea & Stefan Cristian Vesa & Sofia Copacinschi & Dacinia Crina Petrescu, 2019. "What Do Romanian Farmers Think about the Effects of Pesticides? Perceptions and Willingness to Pay for Bio-Pesticides," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Mário Santos & Helena Moreira & João Alexandre Cabral & Ronaldo Gabriel & Andreia Teixeira & Rita Bastos & Alfredo Aires, 2022. "Contribution of Home Gardens to Sustainable Development: Perspectives from A Supported Opinion Essay," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-26, October.
    6. Esther Sanyé-Mengual & Kathrin Specht & Erofili Grapsa & Francesco Orsini & Giorgio Gianquinto, 2019. "How Can Innovation in Urban Agriculture Contribute to Sustainability? A Characterization and Evaluation Study from Five Western European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-31, August.
    7. Esther Sanyé-Mengual & Kathrin Specht & Jan Vávra & Martina Artmann & Francesco Orsini & Giorgio Gianquinto, 2020. "Ecosystem Services of Urban Agriculture: Perceptions of Project Leaders, Stakeholders and the General Public," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-23, December.
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    9. Ana Moragues-Faus & Alizée Marceau, 2018. "Measuring Progress in Sustainable Food Cities: An Indicators Toolbox for Action," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.

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