Panic buying and empty supermarkets shelves caused by coronavirus lockdowns have prompted us to think about where our food comes from and the resiliency of our food system. During World War I, victory gardens emerged to curb food shortages and produced about 40 per cent of vegetables grown in the United States (US). Similarly, coronavirus lockdowns are encouraging urban residents to consider growing fruits and vegetables at home.

1. B Y Y A S M I N E K H A L A F A L L A H
CAN COVID-19 LEAD TO AN URBAN
AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION ?
Panic buying and empty supermarkets shelves caused by
coronavirus lockdowns have prompted us to think about
where our food comes from and the resiliency of our food
system. During World War I, victory gardens emerged
to curb food shortages and produced about 40 per cent
of vegetables grown in the United States (US). Similarly,
coronavirus lockdowns are encouraging urban residents to
consider growing fruits and vegetables at home.
URBAN PLANNER

2. CAN THE CURRENT CRISIS START AN URBAN
AGRICULTURE REVOLUTION IN UAE CITIES?
Long global supply chains and limited food sovereignty have made food systems in most
countries vulnerable to disruptions. As food must travel large distances to reach cities,
urban food supply chains tend to be longer, more complex and vulnerable, highlighting
the need to increase their resiliency.
According to a 2018 study, urban agriculture could potentially produce about 10 per cent of
the global output of pulses and vegetables. While this is a promising figure, and may grow
as technology advances, for urban agriculture to become a reality in United Arab Emirates
(UAE) cities, a supportive framework needs to be implemented.
Food security in the UAE has long been a government priority as the country imports
between 80 to 90 per cent of the food it consumes In 2018, the UAE launched its Food
Security Strategy 2051, which included a goal to enhance local food production. Given
the natural challenges facing farming in the UAE, including the scarcity of arable land,
Accordingly, several government initiatives
were launched to promote innovation in the
sector, including the following:
• The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
injected a Dh1 billion to support AgTech
companies in the emirate in 2019;
• The Khalifa Fund is lending up to Dh1 million
to farmers;
• The Food Technology challenge is offering
prizes of up to USD 1 million to innovators in
the sector;
• In 2018, the Ministry of Climate Change and
Environment allocated some of its land to
establish 12 vertical farms in the city.
Even though these initiatives are not specific to farming in the city, several indoor farms
are located in industrial areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and on the outskirts of the two
cities. Given that the future of farming in the UAE is largely indoors and is not tied to the
location of arable land, planning authorities can further support the government’s efforts
in numerous ways as follows:
1. Integrating food systems in the design and planning framework: firstly, planning
authorities need to recognise food systems as an integral part of urban planning and
design and embed food systems within the regional and local strategies and plans.
2. Availing land for food production: access to land is a major barrier to entry for
agricultural businesses. Unlocking vacant and/or underutilised land for food production
can significantly boost the potential of urban agriculture. Some government agencies
are already leading by example, as the initiative by the Ministry of Climate Change and
Environment above illustrates. To replicate this model, planning authorities have a role
in identifying vacant and underutilised land and establishing the necessary incentives
and mechanisms to turn it into productive uses.
limited water resources and high summer
temperatures, enhancing local production
depends on technology advances that
enable indoor and vertical farming.
depends on technology advances which
enable indoor and vertical farming.

3. SOME OF THE
MOST SIGNIFICANT
DEVELOPMENTS IN CITY
DESIGN HAS COME AS A
RESULT OF EMERGENCY &
DISASTER
3. Relaxing zoning and building
regulations: current agriculture
businesses in the UAE operate out
of warehouses and even shipping
containers. The Abu Dhabi Development
Code does not permit agricultural uses on
residential or industrial land. Accordingly,
to accommodate and encourage the non-
traditional space and structures necessary
for food production (for example
greenhouses and sheds), Development
Codes and Building Regulations need to
be flexible.
4. Incorporating urban agriculture
capacity in new buildings: as urban
agriculture can be incorporated in existing
buildings (for example rooftops); structural
requirements may restrict use of soil and
water and hence the crops to be grown.
Given that the rate of construction has
been relatively high in the UAE, with a
monthly average of 297.1 new buildings
built in Abu Dhabi City in 2018, UAE cities
can ease those challenges by incentivising
developers to incorporate plans for urban
agriculture in newly designed buildings.
integrated vertical
farming within city
buildings
dedicated zones
for agri-farming
within the city
A
B
Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming