Editing Hydroponics (section)

== Urban Hydroponics ==
Urban hydroponics refers to the use of soilless cultivation systems in city environments, including apartments, rooftops, and other indoor spaces. These systems have been explored in response to challenges related to urban food access. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 19 million people in the United States live in low-income neighborhoods with limited access to supermarkets or large grocery stores, areas often referred to as food deserts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Food Access Research Atlas {{!}} Economic Research Service |url=https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=www.ers.usda.gov}}</ref> In these contexts, hydroponic systems can be used as a method to grow vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and herbs indoors.

Urban hydroponic systems are generally designed to operate within small spaces. Commercially available units include vertical towers, countertop kits, and window-mounted structures, many of which rely on artificial lighting and water circulation to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots. <ref name=":7" /> These configurations are intended to support plant growth in environments with limited natural sunlight and no access to soil.

Some hydroponic systems are marketed toward individual consumers and households. While larger systems may require significant investment, smaller-scale models are available for individual use. Reports suggest that such systems can produce a range of crops year-round, though yield and cost-efficiency vary by setup and user experience.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zhang |first=Jingmiao |last2=Hori |first2=Naruhito |last3=Takemura |first3=Akio |date=2020-12-20 |title=Thermal and time regularities during oilseed rape straw liquefaction process to produce bio-polyol |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652620340609?via=ihub. |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |volume=277 |pages=124015 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124015 |issn=0959-6526}}</ref>

Hydroponic systems have also been studied for their resource efficiency. In urban settings, locally grown produce using hydroponics may reduce the need for long-distance transportation of produce, though the overall environmental impact depends on multiple factors, including energy use for lighting and climate control.

As global urbanization continues, hydroponics has been included in urban food systems and localized agriculture discussions. The United Nations projects that by 2050, nearly 70 percent of the global population will live in urban areas, a demographic trend contributing to interest in alternative food production methods such as hydroponics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Urbanization Prospects |url=https://population.un.org/wup/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=population.un.org}}</ref>