S09 - Session O1 - Creating expectations and controversies for urban-vertical farming

Authors: Michael Martin *, Maria Bustamante

With an expanding population and global food market, it will be important to find solutions for more resilient food production methods closer to urban environments. Vertical farming systems in urban areas have emerged as a result of the need for more resilient farming. Nonetheless, little is known of the potential implications for transforming our food systems towards more environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Many claims and expectations are also being created, although there may be little support in the literature, with few studies assessing the sustainability, potential, and viability of these systems. This has caused a number of expectations and controversies to develop in society directed toward the vertical farming sector. This study analyzes the discourse and narratives being created around these systems in Sweden, highlighting these expectations and controversies. We employ a document analysis and study the discourse and narratives employing Nvivo, with a large share of the material employed from national and regional newspapers published on the topic between Jan 2000 and December 2021, in addition to webpages and press releases from urban-vertical farms in Sweden. Preliminary results highlight a number of emerging themes from different stakeholders. These include those related to the overall positive aspects for vertical farming, such as the contribution to resilience and self-sufficiency, resource efficiency, comparisons to conventional farming practices, and many studies on the future potential and directions these can take (e.g. expanding beyond leafy greens and herbs). There are also a number of studies that outline criticism of vertical farms based on their economic performance and viability, limited capacity, and resource intensity. The results are important as they highlight the divergence in the narratives used and the evidence provided in the scientific literature, which can aid in developing new approaches and methods to validate claims and ensure these systems are both sustainable and viable.