- Vacant lots, rooftops, and vertical walls are being turned into vibrant farms, boosting local food production, greening the landscape, and improving access to healthy produce in inner-city communities.
- Innovations such as hydroponics, aquaponics, LED-lit vertical farms, and IoT-based monitoring systems are enabling year-round cultivation with reduced land, water, and energy use.
- Many municipalities are introducing reforms like zoning adjustments, tax incentives, and grants that empower urban farming initiatives, streamline permits for community gardens, and support land-sharing arrangements.
- Urban farming contributes to stronger community engagement, offers educational opportunities, enhances food security, reduces food miles, and helps mitigate urban heat islands, all while promoting sustainable urban living.
A quiet yet powerful movement is reshaping the way cities function urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA).
Far beyond the idea of growing vegetables on rooftops, UPA is emerging as a strategic solution to food insecurity, climate resilience, and sustainable development in rapidly expanding urban areas.
A recent review published in Climate Risk Management provides a sweeping analysis of UPA’s potential. The study, led by Penglong Gao from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Hebei University of Architecture, draws from wide-ranging research to assess the benefits and obstacles associated with this form of agriculture.
According to Gao, UPA should be seen not just as a food production method, but as a driver for building sustainable and resilient urban communities.
Technologies such as precision farming, AI integration, hydroponics, and vertical farming are already being applied to maximise space, minimise water usage, and boost crop yields in dense city environments.
Yet UPA is not without its complications. Limited access to land, soil contamination, inefficient water systems, and restrictive regulations remain significant barriers.
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The review stresses the need for thoughtful urban planning and supportive policies particularly in areas like zoning laws, incentives for growers, and infrastructure for water and waste management.
The study also touches on the energy implications of urban farming.
As cities adopt more high-tech farming solutions, there is increasing demand for energy-efficient systems. Renewable power, smart grids, and battery storage could play a central role in making UPA truly sustainable.
Gao and his team advocate for an integrated approach that combines policy innovation with smart technology.
Their findings suggest urban farming is not only achievable, but essential for future-ready cities. As Gao puts it, “Through innovation and strategic planning, we can turn our cities into thriving, climate-resilient food hubs.”
