Technoeconomic evaluation of urban plant factories: The case of basil (Ocimum basilicum)

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2016-06, Vol.554-555, p.218-227
• Main Authors: Liaros, Stelios, Botsis, Konstantinos, Xydis, George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture - methods; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Demography; Economic crisis; Hydroponic; Life cycle costing assessment; Ocimum basilicum; Ocimum basilicum - growth & development; Plant factory; Poverty; Real estate market; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban farming; Urban greening
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.174

Greece is currently in a turmoil, experiencing the effects of more than half a decade of economic crisis. Public health and welfare, jobs and wages, labor market concerning employment as long as employability of the work force, inequality, life satisfaction and housing, tourism and environment, economic and energy poverty are heavily impacted by Greece's disadvantageous economic situation. Real estate market could not have gotten away from the financial commotion, being currently in a halt after years of rapid decline. Fired from the present situation of Greece's real estate market, the present study is concerned with the investigation of alternative ways to support the local real estate market. With respect to sustainable development's ethics, the development, implementation, installation and operation of small, inexpensive plant factories within the urban environment is evaluated. Installations such are those, will encourage the penetration of a new market for the untapped buildings' resource, advancing new investing opportunities, promoting economic growth and productivity while creating a new labor market. The study will rely on the basic principles of Life Cycle Costing Assessment and develop a methodology upon which different scenarios will be evaluated against the “Do Nothing” scenario. [Display omitted] •An extensive technoeconomic analysis of urban indoor plant factories is provided.•Indoor farming of vegetables and herbs is vital for strengthening the retail market.•Spaces that utilize sunlight with increased window to wall ratio should be seized.•The case of basil was found to be a viable cultivation option despite its high DLI.