Urban vertical farming: innovation for food security and social impact?

Urban vertical farming (VF) has emerged as a potential solution to improve food security and safety for urban populations, as well as to transform wider food systems (FS) to ensure greater sustainability. Existing literature has highlighted both direct and indirect benefits from VF to individuals and communities through novel technology alongside social entrepreneurial innovation. These include the creation of green jobs, and greater access to fresh, healthy food produced locally, as well as community development programmes and avenues for civic participation. We explore relevant literature to critically examine the socio-economic impact of VF, drawing out key issues of debate, while identifying areas of future research and recommendations for practice. We draw attention to critical accounts that have highlighted a need to consider the role of technology within social and political processes. Studies have noted key challenges to VF in achieving social and economic benefits to urban populations, as well as in contributing to food security. Examining VF as an intervention within a wider political economy enables a more rigorous exploration of social impact. A research, policy and practice focus beyond production and business model design is needed to situate VF within broader efforts to transform FS.This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming terrestrial food systems for human and planetary health'.