Vertical farming in urban environments: A review of architectural integration and food security

Abstract

Vertical farming in urban environments has emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges of food security while efficiently utilizing limited urban spaces. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the architectural integration of vertical farming systems and their impact on enhancing food security. Urbanization and population growth have led to increased pressure on traditional agriculture, necessitating innovative approaches to meet the rising demand for food. Vertical farming involves cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces within controlled environments, such as skyscrapers, warehouses, or specially designed structures. The integration of vertical farming into urban architecture is a multifaceted endeavor that involves considerations of space utilization, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. Architectural integration plays a pivotal role in the success of vertical farming systems. This review explores various design strategies employed in integrating vertical farms into urban landscapes, including the incorporation of green walls, modular systems, and adaptive reuse of existing structures. The symbiotic relationship between architecture and agriculture is crucial for optimizing resource utilization, ensuring efficient energy distribution, and minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the review addresses the implications of architectural choices on the overall efficiency and scalability of vertical farming. It examines the role of technology in creating smart, automated farming systems that can be seamlessly integrated into urban structures. The integration of sensors, artificial intelligence, and robotics enhances precision farming, resulting in higher yields and resource efficiency. A significant focus of the paper is on the implications of vertical farming for food security. By bringing food production closer to urban centers, vertical farming reduces the reliance on long-distance transportation, minimizing carbon footprints and enhancing the resilience of food supply chains. Additionally, the controlled environment of vertical farms mitigates the impact of climate variability on crop yields, contributing to more stable and secure food production. In conclusion, this paper synthesizes the current knowledge on the integration of vertical farming into urban architecture, emphasizing its role in addressing food security challenges. The review underscores the importance of innovative architectural approaches and technological advancements in realizing the full potential of vertical farming for sustainable and secure urban food production.