The potential of urban vertical farms in reducing food miles and promoting local food systems.
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The Potential of Urban Vertical Farms in Reducing Food Miles and Promoting Local Food Systems
Introduction to Urban Vertical Farming
Urban vertical farming (VF) is an innovative agricultural approach that involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often integrated into urban buildings. This method addresses the challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, and the inefficiencies of traditional agriculture, particularly in densely populated urban areas .
Reducing Food Miles and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
One of the primary benefits of urban vertical farms is the significant reduction in "food miles"—the distance food travels from production to consumer. Traditional agriculture often involves transporting food over long distances, contributing to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Vertical farming, by producing food within urban areas, minimizes these transportation needs, thereby reducing associated CO2 emissions . Studies have shown that integrating vertical farms with urban energy systems can further enhance their environmental performance, reducing GHG emissions by up to 40%.
Promoting Local Food Systems
Vertical farming supports local food systems by enabling cities to produce their own food, thus enhancing food security and reducing dependency on external food sources. This local production can help manage higher levels of domestic demand and mitigate the risks associated with food supply disruptions . For instance, Singapore has made significant strides in vertical farming, leveraging high-tech systems to produce food efficiently within its limited urban space.
Technological Advancements in Vertical Farming
Recent advancements in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technologies, such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, have made vertical farming more viable and efficient. These technologies allow for high-yield food production with minimal resource use, making vertical farms suitable for urban environments where land is scarce and expensive . However, the energy efficiency of these systems, particularly regarding artificial lighting, remains a critical area for improvement.
Economic and Policy Considerations
While vertical farming offers numerous environmental and social benefits, its economic feasibility and integration into urban planning pose challenges. The high initial costs, regulatory hurdles, and lack of expertise are significant obstacles to widespread adoption . Policymakers need to consider these factors and develop supportive frameworks to facilitate the up-scaling of vertical farming .
Conclusion
Urban vertical farming presents a promising solution to the challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, and the inefficiencies of traditional agriculture. By reducing food miles and promoting local food systems, vertical farms can significantly lower GHG emissions and enhance urban resilience. However, for vertical farming to reach its full potential, further advancements in technology, supportive policies, and economic feasibility must be addressed.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The Vertical Farm: A Review of Developments and Implications for the Vertical City
Planning for sustainable urban food systems: an analysis of the up-scaling potential of vertical farming
A Systematic Literature Review on Controlled-Environment Agriculture: How Vertical Farms and Greenhouses Can Influence the Sustainability and Footprint of Urban Microclimate with Local Food Production
Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming
Future food-production systems: vertical farming and controlled-environment agriculture
Estimating the Potential of Building Integration and Regional Synergies to Improve the Environmental Performance of Urban Vertical Farming
Integrating vertical farming at scale in urban food planning
Vertical Farming: An Assessment of Singapore City
Urban Vertical Farming: A Review
Testing the environmental performance of urban agriculture as a food supply in northern climates
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