Multifunctional agriculture in urban and peri-urban areas: technological and social innovation at work

In recent years, the subject of urban agriculture has assumed a growing global relevance, also leading to flourishing academic literature addressing its main challenges and opportunities. When plants are grown inside cities, risks may arise in terms of produce safety. On the other hand, reducing food miles may result in energy and cost savings, as well as promoting city resilience. Overall, urban agriculture may provide a substantial element for ensuring both adaptation and the reduction of climate change effects. Plants promote microclimate regulation and improve air quality. When green infrastructures are integrated into buildings, they may reduce thermal conditioning costs. Highly dense urban fabric may lead to experimental cultivation in spaces that were not previously meant for hosting plants, e.g., rooftop greenhouses or artificially illuminated indoor environments. Urban green infrastructures; moreover, may improve building and neighbourhood property values, and the wide recognition of the economic role played by urban agriculture in today’s cities has promoted the growth and diversification of different associated business models. From a social perspective, urban gardens are commonly promoted by municipalities for their positive effects on community building and social inclusion. Furthermore, when urban gardens are properly managed and distributed within the city, they may preserve and promote urban biodiversity. The present work aims at identifying research priorities, technologies, and strategies for sustainable urban agriculture, toward a comprehensive understanding of sustainable cultivation practices in cities.