Are vertical farms the future? An analysis from an engineering perspective
Kent Huang
Introduction
By 2050, it is predicted that 70% of the global population will be living in cities. 1 With this significant growth in population, the issue of food supply to a large urban population is bound to be an area of concern. Conventional farms are usually located far away from cities and are dependent heavily on external factors. One solution that has gained traction in recent years is vertical farms, a process where
crops are, unlike in conventional farming, grown in controlled indoor environments and are stacked in layers that can reach a height of several stories to make the most efficient use of the limited urban land space. However, are these seemingly innovative structures actually advantageous and, more importantly, suitable for mass-scale implementation in cities, and if so, how might cities better facilitate that? 2
Advantages of vertical farming
One of the most apparent advantages of vertical farming is its efficient use of space. Rather than planting crops on a single level, multiple levels of crops can be harvested with a vertical farming model, producing up to 390 times more green space than conventional outdoor farms. 3 Furthermore, the environment is controlled, which enables year-round production, resulting in higher yields. The risk of natural disasters and yields being affected by climate or seasonality is also decreased. There will also not be a need for soil, leading to a further decrease in cost. Lastly, vertical farms could lead to an increase in the employment rate. From a sales and distribution standpoint, the cost is reduced as the need for long-distance transportation is diminished as a result of the localized nature of production. Sales of crops could also be potentially increased due to the food being perceived as safer and produced under more controlled conditions: no fertilizers and pesticides will be needed in a vertical farm setting. From an
1 1. Malek Al-Chalabi, ‘ Vertical Farming: Skyscraper Sustainability? ’ Sustainable Cities and Society 18 (2015): 74 – 77; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2015.06.003.
2 The photograph is taken from Martinez, Manuel. ‘ Is Vertical Farming Profitable? A Comprehensive Analysis ’, Eden Green , May 18, 2023. https://www.edengreen.com/blog-collection/is-a-vertical-farming-business- profitable. 3 Grunwald, Michael. ‘Why Vertical Farming Just Doesn’t Work’, Canary Media , June 28, 2023. https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/food-and-farms/why-vertical-farming-just-doesnt work#:~:text=AeroFarms%20has%20said%20it%20can,a%20few%20times%20a%20year.
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