The field of urban agriculture has seen an increase in development and attention in recent years, with a large share of literature addressing whether urban agriculture may pose a solution for food insecurity and combat environmental impacts. However, few studies have examined the many sustainability claims of urban agriculture systems, especially for urban farms intended for larger output and commercial ends.
In this article, we explore how sustainability assessments of commercial urban agriculture practices are being conducted. We analyze the methods employed, the different urban agriculture cultivation systems assessed, the sustainability aspects considered, the conclusions drawn, and how authors anticipate the knowledge gained can be used by different stakeholder groups.
Assessing Sustainability in Commercial Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture encompasses a wide range of agricultural practices, from indoor vertical farming to outdoor rooftop gardens, serving both commercial and non-commercial purposes. As this field gains momentum, it is crucial to articulate the sustainability and viability of these systems, particularly for those intended for larger-scale, profit-driven production.
Sustainability assessments can be described as the process of identifying, measuring and evaluating the potential impacts of initiatives on sustainable development. These assessments often focus on environmental, social, economic and governance factors. However, the methods, focus areas, and intended use of sustainability assessments for commercial urban agriculture have varied widely across the literature.
Scoping the Landscape of Sustainability Assessments
To better understand this landscape, we conducted a scoping review of 83 peer-reviewed articles that assessed the sustainability of commercial urban agriculture practices. The articles covered studies from around the world, with the majority (64%) originating in Europe, particularly Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK. North America, Asia and Australia were also represented.
The reviewed articles analyzed a diverse range of urban agriculture production systems, including indoor vertical farms, outdoor urban and peri-urban farms, and greenhouse operations, often focusing on specific crops like tomatoes, lettuce and herbs. The temporal analysis showed a steady increase in publications on this topic from 2014 to 2019, with a slight dip in 2020, likely due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environmental Sustainability as the Main Focus
Our analysis revealed that environmental sustainability was the predominant focus, with 84% of the articles addressing environmental aspects to some degree. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was the most common method used for these environmental evaluations, assessing factors like greenhouse gas emissions, water use, energy consumption, and waste management.
While many studies compared the environmental performance of different urban agriculture systems, the findings were not conclusive overall. Some studies found that low-input outdoor farms had lower environmental impacts than high-tech indoor farms, while others determined that vertical farms and controlled environment agriculture outperformed conventional systems. The context-dependent nature of these assessments suggests that the sustainability of urban agriculture cannot be universally categorized, but must be evaluated in relation to specific environmental conditions and urban settings.
Gaps in Social and Economic Assessments
In contrast to the emphasis on environmental factors, social and economic sustainability were less frequently addressed. Social aspects were covered in 45% of the articles, with a focus on topics like food security, health and nutrition, and consumer acceptance. Economic assessments, present in 43% of the articles, mainly looked at profitability, labor costs, and investment requirements.
The social benefits of urban agriculture, such as educational and community-building effects, were often mentioned but not explored in depth. Similarly, while some studies highlighted the economic viability challenges of commercial urban farms, particularly for high-tech systems, there was a lack of comprehensive analysis integrating both economic and environmental considerations.
Intended Audiences and Applications
The reviewed articles indicated that the findings from sustainability assessments were primarily targeted at policymakers, city planners, and urban agriculture practitioners. Researchers sought to inform decision-making processes, guide the implementation of urban agriculture, and inspire further research on this topic.
However, the diversity of methods and focus areas across the literature suggests a need for more holistic, standardized frameworks to evaluate the environmental, social, economic and governance impacts of commercial urban agriculture. This would help bridge the gaps between academic research and the practical needs of stakeholders seeking to develop sustainable urban food systems.
Implications and Future Directions
The increasing number of sustainability assessments for commercial urban agriculture reflects the growing recognition of its potential role in addressing food security, environmental challenges, and urban resilience. However, the review highlights several areas for further research and development:
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Develop Nuanced Frameworks: Future studies should aim to create more comprehensive, context-specific frameworks for evaluating the multifaceted sustainability of urban agriculture, including environmental, social, economic and governance factors.
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Expand Social and Economic Assessments: There is a need for deeper exploration of the social benefits and economic viability of commercial urban agriculture, moving beyond single-factor analyses.
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Integrate Stakeholder Perspectives: Engaging policymakers, city planners, and urban farmers in the research process can help ensure that sustainability assessments address their decision-making needs and knowledge gaps.
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Explore Scalability and Replicability: Understanding the conditions that enable the scalability and replicability of sustainable commercial urban agriculture practices is crucial for realizing its potential as a solution for urban food provisioning.
As cities continue to grapple with food security, environmental concerns, and the need for resilient food systems, the role of commercial urban agriculture in addressing these challenges warrants further investigation. By strengthening the evidence base through comprehensive sustainability assessments, researchers and practitioners can work towards integrating urban agriculture as a viable component of sustainable urban development.
