Review Article

Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms

Volume: 9 Number: Special December 28, 2025

Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms

Abstract

This study aims to reveal current trends related to sustainability, resource optimization, and technological innovations in vertical farming systems by analyzing and evaluating recent studies on this subject. According to the general results emerging from the research, vertical farming provides high efficiency in water and land use but exhibits significant limitations in terms of energy consumption and economic feasibility. The efficient use of LED lighting, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and renewable energy integration stand out as key strategies for reducing environmental impacts. IoT, digital twin, and artificial intelligence-based control systems strengthen the automation of production processes and optimize resource utilization. It is observed that social sustainability, consumer acceptance, and economic feasibility dimensions are addressed only to a limited extent in the literature. Overall, vertical farming is evaluated as an innovative production model that combines energy transition, resource circularity, and urban sustainability.

Keywords

Carbon footprint, Controlled environment agriculture, Digital farming, IoT, LED lighting, Renewable energy

References

  1. Abdullah, M. J., Zhang, Z., & Matsubae, K. (2021). Potential for food self-sufficiency improvements through indoor and vertical farming in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Challenges and opportunities from the case of Kuwait. Sustainability, 13(22), 12553. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212553
  2. Agati, G., Franchetti, B., Rispoli, F., & Venturini, P. (2024). Thermo-fluid dynamic analysis of the air flow inside an indoor vertical farming system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 236, 121553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.121553
  3. Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). The vertical farm: A review of developments and implications for the vertical city. Buildings, 8(2), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8020024
  4. Alvari, Y., Zandi, M., Jahangiri, A., Ameri, M., Gholami, A., Shahidi, P., & Mousavi, S. A. (2025). BIPV-driven smart vertical greenhouses: a water energy food environment nexus framework for sustainable urban agriculture. Energy Nexus, 100473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100473
  5. Arabzadeh, V., Miettinen, P., Kotilainen, T., Herranen, P., Karakoc, A., Kummu, M., & Rautkari, L. (2023). Urban vertical farming with a large wind power share and optimised electricity costs. Applied Energy, 331, 120416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120416
  6. Ares, G., Ha, B., & Jaeger, S. R. (2021). Consumer attitudes to vertical farming (indoor plant factory with artificial lighting) in China, Singapore, UK, and USA: A multi-method study. Food Research International, 150, 110811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110811
  7. Avgoustaki, D. D., & Xydis, G. (2020). Indoor vertical farming in the urban nexus context: Business growth and resource savings. Sustainability, 12(5), 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051965
  8. Avgoustaki, D. D., Vevelakis, V., Akrivopoulou, K., Kalogeropoulos, S., & Bartzanas, T. (2025). Examination of interrupted lighting schedule in indoor vertical farms. AgriEngineering, 7(8), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7080242
  9. Bao, Y., Leung, M. K., Poon, D., & Xiang, C. (2024). Integrating vertical farm into low-carbon high-rise building in high-density context: A design case study in Hong Kong. Journal of Building Engineering, 96, 110472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110472
  10. Baumont de Oliveira, F. J., Ferson, S., Dyer, R. A., Thomas, J. M., Myers, P. D., & Gray, N. G. (2022). How high is high enough? Assessing financial risk for vertical farms using imprecise probability. Sustainability, 14(9), 5676. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095676
APA
Altuntaş, Ö., & Doğan, Y. L. (2025). Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 9(Special), 378-389. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.36
AMA
1.Altuntaş Ö, Doğan YL. Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9(Special):378-389. doi:10.31015/2025.si.36
Chicago
Altuntaş, Özlem, and Yadigar Leyla Doğan. 2025. “Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 (Special): 378-89. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.36.
EndNote
Altuntaş Ö, Doğan YL (December 1, 2025) Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 Special 378–389.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Altuntaş and Y. L. Doğan, “Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 9, no. Special, pp. 378–389, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31015/2025.si.36.
ISNAD
Altuntaş, Özlem - Doğan, Yadigar Leyla. “Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9/Special (December 1, 2025): 378-389. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.36.
JAMA
1.Altuntaş Ö, Doğan YL. Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9:378–389.
MLA
Altuntaş, Özlem, and Yadigar Leyla Doğan. “Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 9, no. Special, Dec. 2025, pp. 378-89, doi:10.31015/2025.si.36.
Vancouver
1.Özlem Altuntaş, Yadigar Leyla Doğan. Sustainability and Resource Optimization Vertical Farming Systems: Emerging Technological Paradigms. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025 Dec. 1;9(Special):378-89. doi:10.31015/2025.si.36