From horizontal to vertical. Advanced food production in urban areas though vertical farming projects

Vertical farming projects are increasing in number all over Europe, industrialized Asia, and the United States. In a period of great uncertainties after the Covid-19 pandemic where our western society has, for the first time, stopped giving our food for granted, the possibility to produce high yield and high quality food within the cities’ borders has receiving increased attention. Furthermore, Vertical Farms can be a way to refurbish the empty or under-used buildings in urban areas, adding new value to our abandoned heritage. Nonetheless, indoor food production in warehouse facilities require high investment costs and high energy inputs that still are hindering the development of vertical farming. In this sense, this paper explores the design requirements that a Vertical Farm should have to produce food in a sustainable manner, assessing advantages and disadvantages of a new, highly technological and digita- lized food production.