A Comparative Analysis of Vertical Agriculture Systems in Residential Apartments

Vertical farming, an agriculture method allows crops to be grown in an indoor setting with variable stacking systems, controlled temperate, LED lighting and irrigated through hydroponics, aeroponics or aquaponics. This paper reviews existing methods and techniques used for this growing field and its relevance to sustainable urban systems. This paper discusses the need for incorporating urban agriculture in cities, which are majorly importing food. The emerging need arises from the need to address issues such as food waste, food miles, food security and growing population. A review of types of structures suitable for vertical farming and a comparison of various farming technologies is done to evaluate the future urban requirements. The study takes into consideration both micro and macro scale of a city; how vertical farming can operate as a self-sustaining mechanism of buildings and how it can be replicated at community scale. The paper emphasizes on maximum utilization of the spatial context of apartments.