Advancing urban insect farming: integrating automation, vertical farming, and sustainable waste management systems

Urban insect farming presents a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional agricultural methods, particularly in densely populated urban areas where space, waste management, and food security are critical challenges. This review examines the latest technological innovations in urban insect farming, with a focus on the integration of automation, vertical farming, and waste management systems. The objective of this review is to explore how these technologies can enhance the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of urban insect farming. A systematic review methodology was employed, drawing from a wide range of peer-reviewed literature published from 2010 to the present, using databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Key themes identified include the role of IoT sensors in monitoring environmental conditions, automated feeding systems for consistent insect rearing, and robotic harvesting for labour reduction. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of vertical farming systems for optimizing space in urban environments and the use of waste conversion systems to transform organic waste into valuable insect protein. Through case studies and examples from leading institutions, this review synthesizes the current advancements in urban insect farming and provides insights into future research directions. These findings underscore the transformative potential of urban insect farming in contributing to food security, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability in modern cities.