A Thematic Review: Design Features of Vertical Farming that Foster Social Interaction

Potential of vertical farming as a multifaceted solution addressing urban challenges, extending beyond food production to promote social interaction and community cohesion. While vertical farming is widely recognized for its sustainable agricultural contributions, its design elements and social dimensions remain underexplored. This research aims to investigate how architectural features such as shared spaces, accessibility, transparency, and multifunctional areas can be strategically integrated into vertical farm layouts to foster social interaction. 30 papers published between 2019 and 2023 were methodically coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti 9 and a theme review technique. Architectural design, passive design, ergonomics, and sustainability emerged as the four main subject categories. Results show that daylighting techniques, visibility, and spatial design all encourage meaningful engagement in vertical farming settings. However, there is still no proof that passive design and social behavior are closely related. This study emphasizes the need for more focused empirical research in agri-architectural contexts that links social outcomes to built environments.