Over a decade after Building-integrated Agriculture (BIA), Vertical Farming (VF), and rooftop greenhouses (RTG) captured the attention of scientists, producers, and designers alike, it is time to re-examine the technical challenges, crop cultivation obstacles, economic feasibility, implementation barriers and benefits of these innovation production systems, which will help inform their future trajectory. The fields of BIA and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) including both indoor-farms and climate controlled greenhouses have diversified both in terms of physical infrastructures and practices. Like many other areas of innovation, new approaches have been popularized and draw high attention within various stakeholder groups as professionals, start-ups, scientists, etc. Two of the hottest developments in the last years are grounded on new lighting technologies and their endless ways of using LEDs in plant cultivation, such as Vertical Indoor Farms and Plant Factories. The level of specificity increased, such as the distinction between RTGs or integrated RTGs (i-RTGs), i.e. rooftop greenhouses integrated into a building on a systems-level to form a symbiotic relationship. Other approaches shifted the value from technological systems to social issues, such as zero-acreage farming (ZFarming), which underscore a need for a holistic assessment of these novel methods. However, the combination of a fast development industry in high-tech plant cultivation with LEDs, sensors and IT-based smart-systems and the need on local cultivated food with low environmental foot-print incorporated in modern architectural designs combines the sub-fields of technology, biology, horticulture, engineering, socio-economy, architecture and arts.

As the manifestation of BIA and CEA has expanded and taken many shapes and forms, this collection aims to clarify the relationships between various sub-fields, document the state of the arts of these technologies and their implementation, and explore their potential to contribute to equitable and resilient global food systems in the 21st century.

We look for research on protected crop cultivation with soilless systems as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponic systems, or other types of suitable crop cultivation combining BIA and CEA, established in greenhouses, RTG, vertical farms in greenhouses or indoor, and indoor farms and their advanced performance and productivity. How do innovative controls, practices, automation, and sensing aim to optimise crop cultivation systems to achieve high-quality produce and yield and to reduce the productions’ environmental footprints, while new strategies in marketing, product development, and alternative business models expand feasibility, and education, outreach, and regulatory frameworks increase the potential of BIA and CEA to provide societal benefits?

With the full sustainability spectrum – from environmental to economic and social – in mind, how should these innovative urban production methods be assessed and advanced? How do these technologies and innovations contribute to the broader field of urban agriculture? And how do these cutting-edge forms of food production help diversify food systems and advance food security?

We are looking for original research, methods, reviews, or perspective submissions that address the following themes under the umbrella of CEA, BIA, and innovative production methods. Contributions subjects are not limited to this open-ended list; manuscripts focusing on other relevant topics may also be considered.
• In-depth case studies of operational built examples that demonstrate innovative solutions at the scale of the growing system, operation, and urban context;
• Energy-efficient operation and performance of greenhouses and indoor farms;
• Optimised climate and microclimate management systems for risk mitigation, increased produce quality and reduced resource consumption;
• Assessment of potential societal impact (e.g., food security, equity) of innovative production;
• Economic success and Financial ROI of food production, economic impacts (e.g., jobs);
• Comparison of innovative methods vs. conventional food systems sustainability metrics (LCA, carbon footprint, supply chain length);
• Simulation and modeling tools for architects and horticulturalists;
• Social and community contributions of BIA to food security, food justice and equity, food sovereignty, and neighborhood engagement.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Building-Integrated Agriculture and Other Innovative Production Methods to Foster Urban Sustainability, Food Security, and Equity