Research & reports

Renata Priore Lima, Lady Laura Soares Gundim · Revista Gestão & Sustentabilidade Ambiental · Brazil (São Paulo)

This study investigates the benefits of vertical farms as a sustainable food production model in cities. Through a literature review and a case study of Pink Farms in São Paulo, Brazil, the results indicate benefits such as energy and land use optimization, but also highlight the ecological, social, and landscape limitations of vertical farms.

Adeline Ngie, Nobukhosi Sithole · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · South Africa (Johannesburg)

A study in Johannesburg, South Africa, assessed urban transformational strategies, including rooftop gardening and hydroponic farming, aimed at improving food security and regenerating infrastructure. Using open-ended interviews with stakeholders, findings indicated improved household food security and income generation, but challenges such as soil and water flow for rooftop gardens persist. Hydroponics faced hurdles like energy supply and input costs, though it showed more promise for land and water resource efficiency.

Lara Houston, Sara Heitlinger, Ruth Catlow, Alex Taylor · Policy Press eBooks · United Kingdom (London)

Workshops critically experimented with the possibilities and challenges of blockchain as an infrastructure for food abundance and reparative work, using fictional scenarios set in a London transformed into a city farm by 2025. This experimentation suggested that blockchain presents challenges to such restorative and sustainable work. For participants, reparation involved working in the aftermath of social and environmental collapse to bring into being more-than-human-value systems that radically decentered human knowledge and experience.

Divyam Jindal · International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) · Global

This research introduces an AI-based model that uses satellite imaging, machine learning, and demographic projections to optimize urban agriculture. The model integrates soil analysis, water availability prediction, crop recommendations, and population growth projections for informed decision-making. It aims to optimize land use and balance urbanization, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Theodorus Hugo Carvallo, Richardus Daton, Yuliana Bhara Mberu · Journal of Architecture and Human Experience · Indonesia (Kupang)

This study explored the planning and design of "Vertical Urban Farming" in Kupang City, Indonesia, to address food demand challenges such as climate change, population growth, and land-use changes. According to Riskesdas 2018, the prevalence of stunting in toddlers in East Nusa Tenggara was 42.6%, the highest in Indonesia, prompting the use of new technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Using SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Vertical Urban Farming Center's planning and design were discussed, indicating the area's potential for development.

Kendra Locklear Ordia · Interiors Design Architecture and Culture · United States (Lincoln)

This essay presents a case study of an indoor vertical farm in the historic urban core of Lincoln, Nebraska, as a form of urban agriculture. It functions as an adaptive reuse model for existing buildings, creating a spatial ecosystem for localized plant-based food production. This approach aims to enhance urban food resiliency and reconnect communities with their food.

Michele D’Ostuni, C. Stanghellini, A. Boedijn, Leonardo Zaffi, Giuseppina Pennisi, Francesco Orsini · Sustainable Cities and Society · Netherlands (Amsterdam)

The feasibility of using urine and greywater streams as nutrient solutions in a theoretical model of Building-Integrated Agriculture in Amsterdam was evaluated. Results showed it is feasible to use urine and greywater as nutrient solutions; however, treated urine had higher macronutrient concentrations than literature fertilizer recipes, requiring dilution with increasing amounts of greywater to match N or P concentrations. Consequently, P deficiencies in plants or excessive N concentration were found in the final wastewater-based nutrient solution.

Olasumbo Olagoke-Komolafe, Joshua Oyeboade · International Journal of Multidisciplinary Futuristic Development · United States

This study comprehensively reviewed the viability, benefits, and challenges of urban aquaponics systems in the United States. Through a systematic literature review and content analysis, significant environmental benefits were identified, while economically, long-term benefits potentially outweigh initial setup costs. Challenges such as technical complexities, financial barriers, and the need for specialized knowledge are also notable.

Sung–Ho Kil, Hye‐Mi Park, Minkyu Park, Ye Inn Kim, Eunseok Lee · Land · South Korea

In Seoul, South Korea, the suitability of urban rooftop greenhouses (RGs) was analyzed by combining the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Location suitability factors were derived through expert consultations, and AHP was used to calculate factor weights. The highest weight for RG location factors was benefit (0.1782), followed by officially assessed land prices (0.0913) and supermarket density (0.0802). Analysis linking these results with spatial data revealed that Gangseo-gu had relatively high location suitability scores.

Patricia Patricia, Irene Syona Darmady · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia

This paper proposes an architectural strategy, specifically urban acupuncture, to reactivate the degraded tourism identity of Kampung Jaksa, particularly Jaksa Street, in Indonesia. The design results in a gallery building focused on culinary tourism, explaining Indonesian cuisine through interactive and learnable techniques. This design also includes supporting programs such as vertical urban farming and site-responsive building orientation to provide public space.

Jamille Anderson Luiz da Silva, Paula Tereza de Souza e Silva · Cadernos de Prospecção · Global

This study aimed to identify mobile applications developed or used for offering and trading food products in community gardens, through scientific and technological prospecting. Searches were conducted across multiple databases using keywords like "Aplicativo," "App," "Software," "Horta," and "Agricultura urbana." The results showed few applications associated with the theme, with most intended for specific localities and few available for widespread use, indicating a limited effect of existing tools.

Wenhao Zhu · Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology · United States (Chicago)

This paper focuses on the characteristics of vertical farms, using The Plant vertical farm in Chicago as an example to describe its design and performance, and analyze its advantages and design principles. The success of The Plant is attributed to saving raw materials and waste disposal costs through waste utilization, staggered electricity consumption, and insulated structures to maximize energy cost savings. However, while small-scale pilot projects of vertical farms have achieved some success, many constraints remain for scaling them up due to high construction and operation costs and high technical levels.

Aubrey Lynn Garcia, M.A.C. Griffith, George Paul Buss, Xiusheng Yang, John L. Griffis, Sarah E. Bauer, Ankit Singh · Agricultural Sciences · Global

This review investigates Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a potential solution for food security, discussing its rationale, growth factors, and technologies. While indoor farming systems like vertical farming enhance urban access to food, the cost of CEA remains high, though it is decreasing due to technological advances.

Puteri Sidrotul Nabihah Saarani, Siti Nur Aishah Mohd Noor, Zailawati Khalid2, Asniza Hamimi Abdul Tharim, Asmalia Che Ahmad, Norhafizah Abdul Rahman, Mohamad Haizam Mohamed Saraf · International Journal of Business and Technology Management · Malaysia

This paper aimed to develop a conceptual framework for Life Cycle Cost (LCC) in the context of smart urban farming through an in-depth literature review. Employing the Iceberg Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, the conceptual framework for Smart UF LCC components was divided into acquisition cost and hidden cost. This framework assists in decision-making by providing a holistic view of the costs involved in a project or investment.

Kyunghun Min, Jisoo Ahn, Eunseok Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

This study analyzed exemplary cases from the US and Canada to identify factors for the active use of rooftop greenhouses (RTGs) in Korea. Despite international interest in RTGs for carbon neutrality and food security, their implementation in Korea is limited by a lack of relevant legal bases and policies. Essential factors for stable RTG operation include long-term support, initial capital, differentiated distribution, and a review of laws and regulations, highlighting the need for legal and policy frameworks.

Xiaoying Yan, Mei Yin, Renren Li · Atlantis Highlights in Computer Sciences/Atlantis highlights in computer sciences · China

High customer turnover is a significant challenge in China's Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) industry. This study utilized RFM models (Recency, Frequency, and Monetary) and algorithms to regularly rank and classify the consumption ability of CSA customers. This was achieved by analyzing their recent purchase time, number of times of consumption, and consumption data.

Hanum Isfaeni, Naufal Ma’arif, Muhammad Zaki Ananda, Sayyid Izzudin Muslimin, Reza Dino Mahardika, Galang Adi Fathriko · Jurnal Layanan Masyarakat (Journal of Public Services) · Global

This activity aimed to introduce aquaponics as an urban farming model to students, fostering knowledge about modern agriculture and animal husbandry in urban areas. It involved 18 students and 1 accompanying teacher. The activity was carried out through discussion and demonstration of an aquaponic system.

Simon Marvin, Lauren Rickards, Jonathan Rutherford · Urban Studies · Global

This paper critically examines urban controlled environment agriculture (CEA), reconceptualizing it as an emergent urban infrastructure for artificial, highly productive microclimates. It argues that CEA attempts to secure food production through three spatial-temporal fixes: enclosing food production indoors, moving it closer to cities, and integrating it into city buildings, thereby extending existing agricultural logics. The paper identifies future research challenges for urban studies regarding CEA.

Jamil Abedalrahim Jamil Alsayaydeh, Mohd Faizal Yusof, A.B. Razak Salmi, Adam Wong Yoon Khang, Safarudin Gazali Herawan · International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications · Global

An innovative mobile application was developed to enable users to order irrigated vegetable crops directly from urban farmers. The application utilizes simple fertigation system technology, easily implementable in small areas, and creates an online marketplace that bypasses traditional supply chains. Additionally, a monitoring system is integrated, allowing farmers to remotely monitor and control their farms.

Margaret S. Gumisiriza, Patrick A. Ndakidemi, Zainah Nampijja, Ernest R. Mbega · Scientific African · Uganda

In Uganda, this study assessed vegetable performance using a non-greenhouse hydroponic system to investigate its potential as a sustainable urban farming technology for enhancing food security. Leafy lettuce (red and green) was grown using non-circulating hydroponics, with soil-based cultivation as a control, and six parameters—plant height, root length, number of leaves, lettuce weight, moisture content, and dry matter—were measured 20 and 40 days after transplanting. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between soil and hydroponic cultivation for dry matter content, fresh weight, and root length, but based on the number of leaves, hydroponics showed potential to perform as equally well as conventional farming.

Tong Jee Goh, Shirley S. Ho · Environmental Communication · Singapore

This study examined the relationships among technological optimism, biospheric values, attention to media content on urban farming risks and benefits, and norm-activation constructs in predicting the intention to consume urban farm produce. A cross-sectional survey in Singapore (N=1209) found that technological optimism and biospheric values influenced attention to media content. These variables, in turn, influenced personal norms and consumption intention through the norm-activation constructs.

M. Noor Salim, Darwati Susilastuti, Meita Novia, Elli Sulistyaningsih · International Journal of Science and Society · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This study analyzed the simultaneous and partial effects of competitiveness variables, measured by production, capital, and labor, on digital technology strategies and their impact on the income of urban farming MSMEs in Jakarta City, Indonesia. Using OLS Multiple Regression, the survey found that products, capital, and labor simultaneously have a positive effect on digital technology strategy, but product competitiveness has no real effect. Capital and labor competitiveness play a positive role in determining digital technology, and digital technology strategies positively impact farmers' income.

Anggita Chairiah, Adriansyah Dhani Dharmawan, Joseph Rahail, Norma Sartika Dewin, Dimes Akbar Perdana · PESIRAH Jurnal Administrasi Publik · Indonesia

This descriptive qualitative study in Kampung Sayur Bausasran, Indonesia, investigated the current state of urban farming on limited land and the community-based empowerment of a farmers' group. The study found that the Gemah Ripah farmers group played a significant role in achieving local food security in urban areas like Bausasran. It also concluded that microgreens cultivation, combined with e-commerce marketing, can be an innovative agricultural product to address land scarcity issues.

Larissa Bizon, Marco Aurélio Soares de Castro · Revista AIDIS de Ingeniería y Ciencias Ambientales Investigación desarrollo y práctica · Brazil

This study aimed to address gaps regarding waste generated in aquaponics systems and their management practices in Brazil. A systematic review identified waste streams, and a survey of producers in 17 of Brazil's 27 federal units confirmed sludge, packaging waste, dead fish, and unusable plant fractions as typical waste streams. The survey indicated a lack of concern for in-depth assessment of these streams to improve management practices, which tended towards adequate and inadequate disposal.

Anang Suhardianto, Ariyanti Hartari · SAINTEKES Jurnal Sains Teknologi Dan Kesehatan · Global

This study investigated the effect of using biofloc catfish pond water, AB mix solution, and their 1:1 combination for aquaponic cultivation of caisim, pakchoy, and kailan plants. The combination of biofloc pond water and AB mix solution at a 1:1 ratio yielded the highest growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, and fresh weight, for all three plant types. The research concluded that biofloc catfish pond water can serve as a substitute for AB mix solution in aquaponic cultivation of caisim, pakchoy, and kailan.