Exploring the urban symbiosis potential of vertical farming systems: the case of Stockholm city

An increasing urban population is leading to a growing demand for food, putting pressure on already over-exploited resources. In regions with limited agricultural land and short growing seasons, such as Sweden, dependence on food imports makes the food systems particularly vulnerable to geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions. Vertical farming systems (VFSs) have been proposed as a strategy to increase food self-sufficiency and resilience in urban areas. However, they are characterized by high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Urban symbiosis (UrS), the exchange of resource flows among organizations within the urban area, could improve VFSs' resource use efficiency and environmental performance. Yet, empirical evidence on UrS implementation in VFSs remains limited. This study investigates the resource flows of commercial VFSs in the City of Stockholm, assesses the current status of UrS, identifies potential synergies, and examines the key barriers and drivers influencing its implementation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of five VFSs, complemented by on-site visits and secondary data analysis. The results show that all studied VFSs rely on similar key inputs, most of which are sourced from outside Sweden. Moreover, despite respondents’ familiarity with potential symbiotic opportunities, UrS implementation remains limited. Four themes were identified as influencing adoption: resource compatibility and availability, business strategy, infrastructure, and economic feasibility. Output-based exchanges, such as waste heat recovery and reuse of organic waste, were found more feasible than input-based exchanges. The study suggests that facilitated UrS networks, supported by municipalities and academic partners, may represent the most suitable development model.