Zero-Acreage Farming: Challenges and Opportunities for Urban Policies and Partnerships

Abstract

In recent years a growing number of urban farming projects have been established in and on buildings. The term “Zero-Acreage Farming” (ZFarming) describes the idea of growing food without using any additional land or acreage. It encompasses open-air rooftop farms, rooftop greenhouses, productive facades, and indoor farming on and in existing or newly built urban structures. Using the urban building stock instead of farmland or vacant parcels involves very distinct opportunities and challenges: specific building-related challenges, technical restraints, regulatory frameworks, reluctance of landlords and developers, but also opportunities for enhanced resource efficiency and the creation of new urban spaces. The objective of this contribution is to examine these peculiarities and discuss the specific opportunities and challenges they imply. The study illustrates site-related requirements, legislative frameworks as well as specific economic risks and opportunities; gives an overview of different stakeholders involved in planning and implementation processes, stressing the role of landlords and developers – their expectations, motivations and fears; and deduces implications for policies, programs and stakeholder management.