Smart Pölten 2.0 Holistic view on a Vertical Farm in preparation for a demonstration project for the city of St. Pölten

The Vertical Farm (hereinafter referred to as VF) represents an innovative, holistic solution for climate-relevant and nutrition-ensuring goals in urban areas on a global scale. According to previous publications and own research activities, the theoretical potential of VF is disclosed. The current global experience and data on VF although show large gaps. There is clarity about the benefits of reducing energy resource and land use. However, the economic side is mostly unclear, for example the use of adequate cultivation and production methods for suitable crops to profitability. So far, investment and amortization costs, life cycle cost considerations and business models have been completely absent.

The aim of this study is to prepare the basics for the construction and operation of a VF in the city of St. Pölten. With reference to three specific existing buildings, vertical farming-concepts are developed. As for the buildings sanitation is needed, specific potentials are determined from a socio-economic, architectural and energetic perspective. The holistic approach of this exploration is supported by an intense involvement of the local neighbourhood.

The city of St. Pölten, in pursuit of its vision of becoming the fittest city of Austria, has aligned its strategic goals with the Smart City concept and the strengthening of urban resilience. The city sees great potential in Vertical Farming through an optimized combination of local food production, quality of life of citizens and minimization of resource consumption as well as innovative greening and integration of nature within the urban borders.

For the existing buildings in St. Pölten, potentials were investigated that result from the expansion of the VF-concept. This includes energetic as well as socio-economic considerations. For the building with the greatest potential, the Polytechnic School, a VF was developed. It has won the inspiring name "Wolkenfarm". For this purpose, an eco-social business model type with integration into the local market was created. These analyses were used to calculate a lifecycle model (including energy and costs) of a VF from design to operation and maintenance. In an accompanying citizen participation process, their perspective was incorporated into planning and as future VF co-operators. An additional external quality management process supervised the entire development. The scalability of the project was analysed in order to be able to foresee potential transfers to other cities and neighbourhoods. An S-ROI analysis provided evidence of effects on urban resilience.

The result is an innovative building design for urban vertical food production. In addition to production, public and semi-public areas have been developed, reflecting the wishes and needs of the neighbourhood, strengthening economic and social sustainability. The thesis of reduction in energy consumption and land use, both for the existing building and for food production, could be demonstrated.

The result of this research project provides important foundation for the next research steps and the necessary basis for a possible demonstration project.

Project management

Magistrat der Stadt St.Pölten

Project or cooperation partners

• vertical farm institute
• Marketing St. Pölten GmbH
• WPU Wirtschaftspsychologische Unternehmensberatung GmbH
• Mag. Dietmar Schneller-Scharau
• GrünstattGrau Forschungs- und Innovations-GmbH

Magistrat der Stadt St. Pölten
Rathausplatz 1
A-3100 St. Pölten