10 - Vertical farming / urban farming (food production outside agriculture)

Programme manager

Programme director

Objective

The aim is to explore and develop the potential of urban production systems. Opportunities and limitations of urban production systems are to be investigated in terms of productivity and energy requirement for lighting and air conditioning. Current production systems should be evaluated, optimised and further promoted. The urban population should be involved in the shift to a sustainable food system.

• Specific objectives

  • Evaluate different urban production systems for relevant plant species
  • Estimate the impacts of urban production systems on product quality (constituents, microbiology) and on the environment
  • Select interesting plant species and identify opportunities to save energy and optimise cultivation methods and nutrient solutions (functional microbiome) in vertical farming systems
  • Evaluate the potential for the circular use of resources for food production in urban systems
  • Demonstrate potential synergies between urban food production and the promotion of urban biodiversity, and the resulting ecosystem services

Expected outcomes

• Municipalities have a solid basis for decision-making which enables them to introduce targeted measures to promote urban food production.
• The urban population gains a deeper understanding of food production and sustainability issues through citizen science projects supported by broad-based communication and information.
• Vertical farming systems are made more efficient, thereby reducing costs. In addition, a sound basis for decision-making supports negotiations with retailers and avoids poor investments.
• Public engagement supports decentralised, local, circular and resilient initiatives to the national food system.
  

Projects

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