How Will We Eat and Produce in the Cities of the Future? From Edible Insects to Vertical Farming—A Study on the Perception and Acceptability of New Approaches

Abstract

Global challenges such as climate change, increasing urbanization and a lack of transparency of food chains, have led to the development of innovative urban food production approaches, such as rooftop greenhouses, vertical farms, indoor farms, aquaponics as well as production sites for edible insects or micro-algae. Those approaches are still at an early stage of development and partly unknown among the public. The aim of our study was to identify the perception of sustainability, social acceptability and ethical aspects of these new approaches and products in urban food production. We conducted 19 qualitative expert interviews and applied qualitative content analysis. Our results revealed that major perceived benefits are educational effects, revaluation of city districts, efficient resource use, exploitation of new protein sources or strengthening of local economies. Major perceived conflicts concern negative side-effects, legal constraints or high investment costs. The extracted acceptance factors deal significantly with the "unknown". A lack of understanding of the new approaches, uncertainty about their benefits, concerns about health risks, a lack of familiarity with the food products, and ethical doubts about animal welfare represent possible barriers. We conclude that adaptation of the unsuitable regulatory framework, which discourages investors, is an important first step to foster dissemination of the urban food production approaches.

Vertical Farming: An Assessment of Singapore City

“…Kalantari et al, (2017) and . A key innovation used in vertical farming is aquaponics, an approach that combines aquaculture and hydroculture (Specht et al, 2019). Such a technique allows for the production of both fish and leafy vegetables in urban environments (Love et al, 2015) in a manner that is much more efficient than aquaculture alone as both the nutrients and water are recycled (Cohen et al, 2018).…”

“…Operational costs and concerns over increased fertiliser use and the need for constant technological development also negatively affect sustainability (Sanjuan-Delmás et al, 2018). However, if appropriate design measures are taken vertical farming through roof top greenhouses can be an efficient way of producing food (Specht et al, 2019). These types of enterprises can utilise the often unused space at the top of HDB buildings in Singapore in a way that creates a synergetic relationship with the building .…”

“…Moreover, because these urban farms are situated on rooftops a large proportion of the water demand can be supplied by collecting rainwater (Sanjuan-Delmás et al, 2018). While rooftop farming is a key approach, indoor farming can also provide optimal growing conditions that maximise potential yields (Specht et al, 2019) and enable year-round production in cities with more temperate climates (Despommier, 2013). As eTropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics is the case with vertical farming, soil-less vertical plant-production systems are preferred in indoor environments (Sanjuan-Delmás et al, 2018).…”

Where is the business? A study into prominent items of the Vertical Farm Business Framework

“…VF initiatives beneon organic urban agriculture, and venture capital in search geneous, causing highly competitive prices. This leaves little Here social reasons of job creation, food education, and community support, drive initiatives in urban agriculture (Mougeot, 2000;Sanyé Mengual and Oliver i Solà, 2015;Specht et al, 2019). Such continentally different drivers of VF are seldom mentioned but impact expected VF-formats and decision-making.…”

Figure 1: Study Area.

“…This concept is widely prevalent in Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos PDR. Vertical farming is another technique that can strengthen local economics and help exploiting new protein sources (Specht et al, 2019). Family-run enterprises are mostly involved in this business along with other firms that have commercialised insects as not only food but also sources of protein and other health supplements.…”