This comprehensive review explores the scalability of vertical farming and urban agriculture within contemporary urban planning and sustainability frameworks. The study's primary objective is to analyze the feasibility, benefits, and challenges associated with scaling up urban agricultural practices. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis methodology, the study scrutinizes peer-reviewed articles, reports, and case studies from 2013 to 2023, focusing on technological innovations, economic viability, social impacts, and environmental sustainability. Key findings reveal that while urban agriculture presents significant opportunities for sustainable urban development, its scalability is hindered by economic, technical, and policy-related challenges. The integration of innovative technologies, such as vertical farming and smart agriculture, emerges as a crucial factor in enhancing productivity and sustainability. However, challenges such as land availability, resource management, and regulatory hurdles pose significant barriers. The study highlights the need for supportive policies, community engagement, and integration of urban agriculture into broader urban planning. Conclusively, urban agriculture is identified as a key component in transforming urban environments into sustainable, resilient, and food-secure spaces. The study recommends developing supportive policies, facilitating resource access, and investing in technology to enhance urban agriculture's scalability. Future research directions include exploring innovative models suitable for different urban contexts, assessing long-term impacts on urban ecosystems, and examining the role of urban agriculture in climate change mitigation. This study provides a roadmap for stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to advance urban farming as a sustainable urban development solution.
Oyeboade et al. (Mon,) studied this question.