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A new study, conducted by researchers from the Netherlands and Germany, estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region’s current vegetable production. The study, published in the journal "Sustainable Cities and Society", systematically analyses the potential of urban agriculture for 840 cities across 30 European countries.
Lead author Stepan Svintsov, a researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER), summarizes: “Using a GIS-based analytical approach, we evaluated how underutilized spaces such as rooftops, residential gardens, green areas, and vacant urban land could be converted into productive vegetable-growing areas. Doing so could supply 28 percent of vegetable demand for 190 million Europeans.”
Unlocking Hidden Food Production Capacity
The study assessed the availability of urban land and rooftop spaces suitable for simple, open-air vegetable cultivation using soil, such as gardens and rooftop beds, without high-tech systems like hydroponics or vertical farming. The findings suggest that between 4,500 and 7,500 square kilometres of urban land could be used for agriculture across European cities. That is more than the area of the island of Mallorca, or twice its area (3,640 and 7,280 square kilometres respectively).
“Urban agriculture could significantly strengthen local food systems, improve urban resilience, and reduce the environmental impacts associated with long-distance food transportation,” explains the corresponding author, Prajal Pradhan, an associate professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Despite their promising findings, he emphasizes, “Urban agriculture should be seen as a complementary component of existing food systems rather than a full replacement for traditional agriculture.”
The authors elaborate that the potential of urban agriculture varies widely depending on factors such as city density, land availability, climate, water availability, and urban planning policies and regulations. For example, Southern European cities may face water scarcity, while Northern European cities may experience shorter growing seasons and lower solar radiation.
Supporting Sustainable Cities and the “15-Minute City” Vision
The study also connects urban agriculture with emerging urban planning concepts such as the “15-Minute City,” where residents can access essential services, including fresh food, within a short walking or cycling distance.
“By integrating agriculture into urban planning, cities could improve local food accessibility, reduce food transport, strengthen community engagement, and promote healthier diets,” explains coauthor Diego Rybski from the IOER. “With thoughtful planning and policy support, rooftops, green spaces, and unused urban land could become vital components of Europe's future food infrastructure.”
By combining high-resolution land-use data, building footprints, population data, and climate classifications, this new study provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of the potential for urban agriculture across Europe to date. Its findings offer valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and sustainability advocates seeking to integrate food production into city landscapes. “As cities face increasing pressures from climate change, food supply disruptions, and population growth,” Prajal Pradhan suggests, “urban agriculture can play a meaningful role in building more resilient and sustainable urban food systems.”
Stepan Svintsov, e-mail: s.svintov@ioer.de
Dr. Diego Rybski, e-mail: d.rybski@ioer.de
Stepan Svintsov, Prajal Pradhan, Taylor Smith, Diego Rybski (2026): Integrating agriculture into European urban landscapes matters: A systematic assessment. In: Sustainable Cities and Society, 107422. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2026.107422
An example of urban agriculture: vegetable beds and espalier fruit trees along the city walls in the ...
Source: Katharina Sartison
Copyright: K. Sartison/IOER Media
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An example of urban agriculture: vegetable beds and espalier fruit trees along the city walls in the ...
Source: Katharina Sartison
Copyright: K. Sartison/IOER Media
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