Over 55% of the world’s population now lives in cities, a number that is rapidly growing. This urban expansion places strain on food systems, especially in the Global South and in informal settlements where infrastructure, governance, and economic opportunities are inadequate.
Researchers in Kenya recently published a Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems article in which they investigated how vertical gardening contributes to food security and gender dynamics in Nairobi’s informal settlements, where about 85% of residents are food insecure. Vertical gardening means stacking containers or other repurposed sacks or items on top of each other to grow food.
The study showed that vertical gardening contributed positively to food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. It was found to reduce dependency on fluctuating markets, and improved access during times of draught or political unrest. In addition, vertical gardening was identified as a way to empower women who often play a pivotal role in maintaining gardens. Sometimes, households could even supplement their income by selling surplus produce, highlighting the practice’s potential to improve household nutrition, advancing gender equality, and enhancing urban resilience.
Article link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1654777/full