"Zero acreage farming” - ZFarming: Social dimensions of an urban innovation

Abstract

Zero Acreage Farming (ZFarming) has recently become a subject of interest and a trend in urban food production. Such production might include the installation of rooftop gardens, rooftop greenhouses, edible green walls as well as further innovative forms such as indoor farms or vertical greenhouses. New approaches have been introduced to produce food at a larger scale in and on buildings in high-density urban areas to deliver fresh food for cities. The objective of this paper is to investigate the social dimensions of this new system of food provision. The results are based upon the analysis of 74 documents published in accessible international resources. The results show that major potential benefits are found in supporting community food security and public health in urban areas. Within the field of community food security, numerous organizations have initiated programs to bring fresh, often local food to ‘food desert’ areas. The idea of ZFarming serves furthermore as a source of inspiration for architects and planners, who design multifunctional future buildings and cities. ZFarming can influence education on food production, provide facilities for the experience of food production and food consumption and opportunities for practical learning.