Wissenschaftler sind weltweit bereits seit geraumer Zeit darum bemüht, Lösungen für die praktikable Umsetzung einer urbanen Produktion frischer Gemüse zu erarbeiten. Die hydroponischer Anbauverfahren haben ein überdurchschnittlich hohes Potential, wenn es um die Einsparung von Produktionsmitteln geht. So können im Pflanzenbau gegenüber dem Freilandanbau bis zu 90 Prozent des eingesetzten Wassers durch geschlossene Kreisläufe eingespart werden. Diese Kreisläufe vermeiden zudem den Eintrag von Düngemittel in die Umwelt. Der geschützte Anbau in Hochhäusern sorgt für ein optimales Pflanzenwachstum ohne ungünstige Witterungseinflüsse. So ist nicht nur eine sichere marktnahe Produktion gewährleistet, es kann auch das ganze Jahr hindurch produziert werden. Transporte von Produkten aus weit entfernten Gegenden anderer Länder können somit vermieden werden. Hinzu kommt die Flächenersparnis und die damit hohe Flächenproduktivität führen. Dennoch zeigen erste Umsetzungsversuche auf, dass es noch einen hohen Grad an Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeit bedarf bis eine profitable Lösung für den Markt bereit steht. Insbesondere der hohe technische Aufwand und Energiebedarf erster Testanlagen sind hier als besondere Herausforderung anzusehen. In dem umfassend angelegten Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben mit dem Namen BrickBorn Farming – Nahrungsmittelproduktion in Gebäuden städtischer Gebiete sollen verschiedenste Aspekte weiterentwickelt und miteinander verknüpft werden.

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<p>  </p> <p>With the rapid growth in population and urbanization, an increased supply of fresh, nutritious, and safe food in urban areas is required. Relying solely on conventional agriculture for food production can be risky due to climate change and decreasing natural resources (i.e., water, and arable land). Vertical farming (VF) involves growing food crops (primarily leafy greens and small-statured fruits) at multiple levels in controlled environments with less land and water inputs. However, high operational costs have resulted in low-profit margins in VF, which are challenging the economic sustainability of the VF industry. With the present VF technology, it may be difficult to significantly reduce the operational costs. Therefore, maximizing the wholesale value of produce, which is determined by the total yield and sale price per unit quantity (or crop value), is critical for increasing profits in VF. In this research, the overall goal is to increase lettuce growth, nutritional quality, and food safety by optimizing the light quality of light-emitting diodes (LED) in VF to increase the whole value of produce and thus increase the VF profits. The objectives of the research were to (i) study the independent and interactive effects of monochromatic wavebands of light from UV-A (365 nm) to far-red (750 nm) on lettuce growth and nutritional quality; (ii) identify the effects of substituting moderate proportions of UV-A and a high proportion of UV-A coupled with far-red light in growth lighting on lettuce growth and nutritional quality; (iii) study the effects of lettuce cultivars and UV LED light on the survival of <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 on lettuce in VF production.</p> <p>In the first study, we investigated the effects of different wavebands of light ranging from UV-A (370 nm) to far-red (733 nm), both independently and in combination with commercial growth lighting on lettuce growth, incident light-use efficiency (LUEinc), and levels of phytochemicals. Results showed that the monochromatic wavebands 389 and 733 nm had positive interactions with the growth lighting on lettuce. In addition, results also indicated that UV-A light at a peak wavelength of 389 nm could potentially increase phytochemical concentrations. In the second study, the effects of 40% UV-A (UV 389 nm) and 60% UV-A (UV 389 nm) plus 10% far-red (FR 733 nm) light for growth light during the plant stationary growth stage on lettuce biomass and biosynthesis of phytochemicals were examined. Results showed that substituting UV-A for 40% growth lighting during the plant stationary growth stage for seven days resulted in significantly increased levels of beta-carotene and phylloquinone in lettuce while slightly lowering lettuce growth. And the addition of far-red light to UV-A did not result in the expected increase in vegetative growth, while the levels of phytochemicals were not affected. In the third study, we first investigated the effects of four lettuce cultivars, including oakleaf, romaine, butterhead, and leaf lettuce on the survival of <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 gfp+. Results showed that leaf lettuce had the lowest while oakleaf and romaine had the highest concentrations of <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 gfp+ when sampled on days 2 and 7 after the inoculation, and on day 7 after harvest and storage at 4 °C. Then we examined the feasibility of supplementing UV-A, UV A+B, and UV A+C during plant growth stages to reduce <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 gfp+ contamination on lettuce. Our results indicated that only the UV A+C light at an intensity of 54.4 μmol·m-2·s-1 for 15 minutes per day after inoculation reduced <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 gfp+ contamination by 0.33 log CFU·g-1 without affecting plant growth and levels of phytochemicals.</p> <p>The outcomes from our research suggested that the interactive effects of monochromatic wavebands should be considered in developing light recipes. In addition, VF growers who are interested in improving the nutritional phytochemical levels such as beta-carotene and phylloquinone in lettuce while maintaining growth should consider adding a moderate proportion (< 40%) of near-blue UV-A (i.e., 389 nm) radiation during the plant stationary growth phase to growth lighting. However, shorter wavelengths of UV-A radiation are not recommended due to their negative effects on plant growth and high economic cost. For growers who are at high risk of <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 contamination, it is suggested that growing leaf lettuce and supplementation of UV A+C LED light during the plant-growth period should be considered to reduce the <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 contamination levels.</p>

Slakthusområdet, a historically significant slaughterhouse district in Stockholm, stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of urban landscapes, characterized by the relentless tide of rapid urban change. Over the years, this district has undergone multiple transformations, mirroring the shifting needs and aspirations of the city. Currently, Slakthusområdet finds itself on the cusp of yet another metamorphosis, as a proposal takes shape to rejuvenate the area into a vibrant hub that seamlessly integrates housing, workplaces, commerce, services, and green spaces.Traditionally, Slakthusområdet served as a focal point for the slaughter and meat packaging industry, bearing witness to the relentless rhythm of production. However, the winds of change blow through the district once again, igniting a collective imagination that envisions its potential to become a sustainable and culturally diverse urban food production system. This transformative project seeks to explore new frontiers in food production, harnessing the possibilities offered by emerging technologies and innovative practices.Among the innovative modes of food production to be integrated into the fabric of Slakthusområdet are insect farming, vertical farming, and lab-based food production. By embracing these cutting-edge approaches, the project aims to revolutionize the way food is grown, cultivated, and distributed within the urban context. The district's existing buildings, with their deep-rooted historical significance, will be preserved and thoughtfully integrated with new construction, forming a dynamic juxtaposition of the old and the new. This fusion of heritage and modernity will serve as a powerful metaphor, embodying the district's journey of transformation and adaptation.Drawing inspiration from Slakthusområdet's rich history, the project seeks to unlock its hidden potential by interweaving food production with other essential elements of urban life. Housing, cultural organizations, and public spaces will converge harmoniously, creating a tapestry of activity and fostering a sense of community. By embracing a holistic approach to urban planning, the project aspires to create a new identity for Slakthusområdet that transcends the boundaries of a traditional urban district. By blending the realms of food production, sustainable living, and cultural vibrancy, Slakthusområdet can become a beacon of inspiration and a model for resilient, inclusive urban environments. The integration of emerging food production methods within an urban fabric is a novel endeavor with the potential to reshape our cities, fostering self-sufficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and promoting social cohesion.In conclusion, the proposed redevelopment of Slakthusområdet signifies a pivotal moment in the district's storied history. By embracing a vision that interweaves sustainable food production, housing, cultural organizations, and public spaces, the project strives to carve a new path forward. Through this transformation, Slakthusområdet can emerge as a shining example of urban regeneration, one that transcends its historical legacy and embraces the challenges and opportunities of the future. As the project sets in motion, its impact on urban design and planning practices will reverberate far beyond the boundaries of Stockholm, inspiring the cities of tomorrow to cultivate resilience, foster inclusivity, and nurture sustainable urban ecosystems.

<p>Vertical farming (VF) as a newer sector of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is proliferating as demand for year-round, local, fresh produce is rising. However, there are concerns regarding the high capital expenses and significant operational expenses that contribute to fragile profitability of the VF industry. Enhancing resource-use efficiency is a strategy to improve profitability of the VF industry, and different approaches are proposed in the three chapters of this dissertation. LEDs are used for sole-source lighting in VF, and although they recently have significantly improved electrical efficiency and photon efficacy, the Lambertian design of the illumination pattern leads to significant loss of obliquely emitted photons beyond cropping areas. In chapter 1, close-canopy lighting (CCL) is proposed as one effective energy-saving strategy, through which unique physical properties of LEDs were leveraged, and two CCL strategies (energy efficiency and yield enhancement) were characterized at four different separation distances between light-emitting and light-absorbing surfaces. Dimming to the same light intensity at all separation distances resulted in the same biomass production while significant energy savings occurred at closer distances. Significantly higher light intensity and yield were achieved under closer separation distances in the yield-enhancement strategy for the same energy input. The energy-utilization efficiency (g fresh/dry biomass per kWh of energy) was doubled in both scenarios when the separation distance between LED emitting surface and crop surface was reduced maximally. At reduced separation distances, the chance of photon escape from growth areas is less, and canopy photon capture efficiency is improved.</p><p>Optimizing environmental conditions for indoor plant production also helps improve resource-use efficiency for the nascent vertical-farming industry. Although significant technical advancements of LEDs have been made, use of efficient far-red (FR) LEDs has yet to be exploited. As a recent proposed extension to traditional photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm), FR radiation (700-750 nm) contributes to photosynthesis as well as photomorphogenesis when added to shorter wavelengths of traditional PAR. However, the interaction of FR with other environmental parameters such as CO2 is less studied. In chapter 2, the interaction effect of four FR fluxes (as substitution for red) in combination with three different CO2 concentrations were investigated at three distinctive stages of young-lettuce production. The highest biomass achieved at all stages occurred at 800 mmol mol-1 CO2 compared to 400 and 1600 mmol mol-1. A photomorphogenic effect of FR to promote leaf length was pronounced at the earliest stages of development, at which FR did not contribute to higher biomass accumulation. At more developed stages, 20 mmol m-2 s-1 of FR substituting for red contributed to biomass accumulation similar to shorter wavelengths of traditional PAR, whereas higher fluxes of FR in the light recipe resulted in undesirable quality attributes such as longer leaves.</p><p>Optimizing environmental conditions for indoor production with emphasis on light intensity and CO2 concentration at four distinctive stages of lettuce production was investigated in chapter 3. Utilizing the Minitron III gas-exchange system, light and CO2 dose-response profiles were characterized at four distinctive crop-development stages through instantaneous gas-exchange measurements at crop level. At all developmental stages, as CO2 concentration increased, photosynthesis increased up to 500 mmol mol-1, above which the incremental rate of photosynthesis was reduced. Light-dose response profiles were characterized at 400 or 800 mmol mol-1 CO2, and as light intensity increased, photosynthesis increased up to 650 mmol m-2 s-1. However, when instantaneous power (Watts) consumed for lighting was taken into consideration, power-use efficiency as the ratio of output photosynthesis increment to input power increment (to increase light intensity), decreased at higher light intensities. Vertical farming as a nascent and growing industry is facing limitations including marginal and even elusive profitability. Optimizing environmental conditions for indoor plant production such as these will help improve resource-use efficiency and profitability of the vertical farming industry.</p>

Purpose: This research will study how hyperspectral sensoring can assess the moisture content of lettuce by monitoring its growth in indoor vertical farming. Research questions: “What accuracy can be achieved when using hyperspectral sensoring for assessing the moisture content of lettuce leaves grown in vertical farming?” “How can vertical farming contribute to sustainability in conjunction with integration of NIR spectroscopy?” Methodology: This study is an experimental study with a deductive approach in which experiments have been performed using the hyperspectral technologies singlespot sensor and the hyperspectral camera Specim FX17 to collect spectral data. To analyze the data from the experiments two regression models were used and trained to make it possible to predict future moisture content values in lettuce. In order to get a better understanding and analyze the results from the experiments, a literature review was also conducted on how hyperspectral imaging has been applied to assess the quality of food products. Conclusion: The achieved accuracies were 58.24 % and 65.54 % for the PLS regression model and the Neural Network model respectively. Employing hyperspectral sensoring as a non-destructive technique to assess the quality of food products grown and harvested in vertical farming systems, contributes to sustainability from several aspects such as reducing food waste, minimizing costs and detecting different quality attributes that affect the food products. / Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur hyperspektral avbildning kan användas för att bedöma fuktigheten i sallad genom att kontrollera hur den växer i vertikal odling inomhus. Frågeställningar: “Vilken noggrannhet kan uppnås vid användning av hyperspektral avbildning för att bedöma fukthalt hos salladsblad som odlas i vertikal odling?” “Hur kan vertikal odling bidra till hållbarhet i kombination med integration av NIR spectroscopy?”  Metod: Denna studie är en experimentell studie med en kvantitativ metod inom vilken en deduktiv ansats har tillämpats genom användning av de hyperspektrala teknologierna single-spot sensor och hyperspektralkameran Specim FX17 för insamling av spektral data. För att analysera datan från experimenten skapades och tränades två olika regressionsmodeller till att möjliggöra förutsägning av framtida värden av fukthalt i sallad. För att få en bättre förståelse för och kunna göra en bättre analys av resultaten från experimenten, utfördes även en litteraturöversikt på vad tidigare forskning om tillämpningen av hyperspektral avbildning för kvalitetssäkring av matprodukter har visat. Slutsats: Noggrannheten för PLS-regressionsmodellen var 58,24 % och 65,54 % för Neural Network-modellen. Minskat matsvinn och kostnader samt upptäcka olika kvalitetsattribut som påverkar livsmedelsprodukterna är de hållbara resultaten vid bedömning av kvalitet via hyperspektral sensing.

The present thesis explores the possibilities of reducing electrical energy consumption in a greenhouse environment through the construction a demonstrator system. The demonstrator system is imagined to be used in a vertical farming setup and is fully automated. The system achieves two main actions. It maintains the artificial light source at a fixed distance above the canopy of the grown crops, and it measures the change in natural light exposure and regulates the artificial light to maintain light conditions while utilizing sunlight. These prove to be good methods for reducing the amount of electrical energy consumed by such a system. / Examensarbetet utforskar möjligheterna att minska elförbrukningen i en växthusmiljö genom att bygga ett demonstrationssystem. Demonstrationssystemet är tänkt att användas i en vertikal jordbruksuppsättning och är helautomatiserat. Systemet uppnår två huvudsakliga moment. Det håller den artificiella ljuskällan på ett fast avstånd ovanför de odlade grödorna, och det mäter förändringen i naturlig ljusexponering och reglerar det artificiella ljuset för att bibehålla ljusförhållandena samtidigt som solljuset utnyttjas. Dessa visar sig vara bra metoder för att minska mängden elektrisk energi som förbrukas av ett sådant system.

I denna uppsats undersöks resiliensen av vertikal odling, och hur odlingsformen kan bidra till att stärka resiliensen av Stockholms läns livsmedelssystem. Dessutom undersöks potentialen att stärka den vertikala odlingens resiliens. För att samla in data genomfördes fyra intervjuer - med Länsstyrelsen Stockholm och tre vertikala odlingar belägna i Stockholms län. Dessutom genomfördes en litteraturstudie om vertikal odling. Informationen inhämtades från vetenskapliga artiklar och rapporter. För att analysera resiliensen av vertikal odling användes sju principer som bygger resiliens. Information om dessa hämtades från ‘Principles for Building Resilience’ (Biggs, Schlüter &amp; Schoon, 2015), och några vetenskapliga artiklar som visade på applicering av metoden. I resultatet presenteras resiliensen av vertikal odling princip för princip. Dessutom anges hur Stockholms läns livsmedelssystem påverkas. Av denna studie går det inte att säga om vertikal odling är resilient eller ej, men det går att se styrkor och svagheter inom varje princip. Odlingen sker i kontrollerad miljö och har därför inte samma sårbarheter som odlingar utomhus. Till exempel är den inte lika utsatt för sjukdomar och extremväder. Samtidigt innebär dess karaktär andra sårbarheter, såsom att odlingen är beroende av el för att förse grödorna med ljus. Trots att vertikal odling sker i staden påverkas den av störningar i globala handelsavtal och transportsystem eftersom insatsmedel importeras. Det finns potential att stärka resiliensen inom flera av principerna. Resiliensen av Stockholms läns livsmedelssystem kan stärkas av att vertikal odling bidrar till en mångfald i produktionssystem och tekniklösningar. Samtidigt som den kontrollerade miljön förhindrar läckage av vatten och näringsämnen till naturen så förhindrar den även att den omgivande miljön drar nytta av odlingen. / In this master thesis, the resilience of vertical farming is assessed. It also explores if vertical farming can increase the resilience of the food system in Stockholm County. Furthermore, the potential to increase the resilience of vertical farming is explored. To gather data, four interviews were conducted. One with Stockholm County, and the other three with vertical farms located in Stockholm. Data was also collected through literature. Specifically through scientific articles and reports. To analyze the resilience of vertical farms seven principles for enhancing resilience were used. Information about the principles was collected through ‘Principles for building resilience’ (Biggs, Schlüter &amp; Schoon, 2015) and scientific articles that had applied the principles. The resilience of vertical farming is presented principle by principle. Also, the influence on the food system of Stockholm County is presented. From this study it is not possible to conclude if vertical farming is resilient or not. However, it is possible to see the system’s strengths and weaknesses within each principle. Vertical farming is conducted in a controlled environment, which results in other strengths compared to other farming systems. For example, it is not exposed to diseases and extreme weather events in the same way. At the same time it has other vulnerabilities, such as being dependent on electricity for providing the crops with light. Even though vertical farming is conducted in the city it provides for, it is affected by global disturbances. This is due to the import of seeds, substrate and fertilizers. There is potential to increase the resilience within several principles. Vertical farms can contribute to the resilience of the food system in Stockholm County by providing tech-solutions and enhancing the diversity of production methods. The controlled environment of vertical farms prevents leakage of water and nutrients to the surrounding environment. However, the controlled environment also prevents the surrounding environment from benefiting from the farm.

This study investigates vertical farming and its potential as an efficient agricultural method. With significant potential, including higher yields per unit area to address critical issues suchas food shortages. The method boasts increased productivity within a limited space, presenting a substantial crop yield compared to traditional farming practices. This makes VFparticularly relevant in the face of a growing global population, particularly in urban areas,and provides a viable means of cultivating food in regions plagued by challenging climateconditions. Despite its numerous advantages, VF encounters potential challenges, notably interms of customer acceptance. Concerns among the general public may arise due to theunconventional setting of plant production, reliance on artificial light, and associated costs. Consequently, there is a crucial need to delve into and evaluate the acceptance of VF productsby consumers. This thesis aims to provide in-depth insights into the acceptance of VF amongconsumers in European countries. By addressing concerns and perceptions addressingsustainability, cost, and the unconventional nature of VF systems, the research seeks tocontribute valuable knowledge to the discourse on the future of agriculture and its role inmitigating food shortages. Through a nuanced exploration of customer attitudes andexpectations, this study aspires to shed light on the potential challenges and opportunities forthe widespread adoption of vertical farming in European contexts. However, the findings of this paper indicate that, at present, VF products are suitable for aspecific segment of young and affluent consumers. The primary factors influencing thechoice of these particular customers are a general lack of awareness and the high associated costs. The acceptance of VF products by European consumers may positively influence theirpurchasing choices due to factors such as sustainability, technological awareness, innovation,novelty, curiosity, quality, absence of chemicals, freshness, trust in government rules andregulations, and the direct purchase option. Conversely, it could have negative effectsattributable to a high price, lack of awareness, adherence to traditional values or distrust oftechnology, absence of organic labels, or a preference for alternative organic methods. The primary opportunities for customer attraction lie in affluent area supermarkets. Asmentioned earlier, a significant barrier observed among consumers is their lack of awarenessregarding VF products. It is recommended that VF organizations devise strategies tointroduce their products and services via the internet and diverse media, tailored to thegeographic locations of their consumers. Participants with pre-existing knowledge providedthe most positive feedback regarding the acceptance and purchase of VF products. Additionally, given the local proximity of VF to cities, facilitating direct purchases at thefarm could further enhance customer appeal. Positive mentions from participants include trustin the direct supply chain and a lower price. The primary hurdle involves the imperative to expand operations and decrease expenses torevolutionize the industry, making it accessible to a wider audience. Minor challenges includetechnological skepticism, absence of organic labeling, variability in electricity costs, and aprevailing lack of awareness regarding VF, although this may change over time. Prospectiveresearch could quantitatively explore variations among countries and demographic factorsinfluencing customer acceptance of VF products

With an increasing urbanization and decreasing food security, the policy places greater demands on the future use of agricultural land and food supply. At the same time as awareness of food consumption increases among individuals, new technologies for farming also develop. The following degree project aims at carrying out a pilot study for further concept development for small-scale urban farming in winter cities. Based on a literature study and inspiration from reference objects, opportunities for continued conceptual development are analysed. These technical aspects together with a study of how public spaces, can or cannot, be used according to the case study’s municipality policy for usage of public space. And these aspects then lay the foundation for an initial concept and design proposal aimed at pointing out the possibilities of the concept. This initial concept is also the basis for a rough estimate of productivity with such urban cultivation tools. The conceptual urban farming tool devised here, is intended to not be taking more attention than necessary and portable. This is to make as little physical and visual impact in the city as possible, and to be adaptable to different places. However, there has been a lack of space for urban farming in the case study's municipal policy, for usage of public spaces. This has meant that the design proposal could not be anchored in accordance with the guidelines the municipality wishes for the use of public spaces. There are documented guidelines for similar use, and the design proposal has been assumed to fit in the policy of using the public space. The tool that has been developed consists of two containers, one of which is intended to work as a working area for harvesting and the other for cultivating. The hydroponic installation chosen in this work has been developed by Bright Agrotech. These installations are called Zipfarm and Zipwall, and are vertical cultivations which by drip irrigation bring nutrients to the plants. These towers that hold the plants during the cultivation period are mounted either in a portable rack or against a wall-based rack. This vertical cultivation method was chosen in this work because of the mobility. With the help of a tool to estimate production that Bright Agrotech provided and technical specifications for the grow lights used in the concept, a rough estimate of the operating cost of 13kr per kilo, to produce leafy green crops, has been calculated. This figure is based solely on the estimated amount of harvest and an estimate of the electricity consumption of the grow lights. The conclusion in this work, is that it is possible to integrate urban agriculture in winter cities with the aid of containers and hydroponic installations. What can be an incentive to not do this today is that electricity consumption can be too expensive, and that it is cheaper to cultivate in other places and transport the food in to the city.