Sustainable Urban Development through Optimizing Urban Agriculture: A Comprehensive Study on Location, Technology, and Gender Equality in Kermanshah, Iran

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Authors

1 مهندسی صنایع، دانشکده مهندسی، دانشگاه کردستان، سنندج، ایران

2 Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Kurdistan

Abstract

Rapid urban growth, driven by urbanization and agglomeration of goods and services in metropolitan cities, jeopardizes land conversion for agriculture and challenges traditional models of urban development. The traditional urban growth models emit carbon, destroy the environment, and create food deserts, thereby compromising food security and health for urban residents. Sustainable urban agriculture can be an alternative solution since it provides food security and access to fresh and affordable food. The present research employs a two-stage model: regional ranking with an integrated ANP-TOPSIS method, and best allocation of resources, such as location selection, cultivation technology, and gender-balanced human resource deployment, with the mixed integer programming methodology. Implemented in Iran, Kermanshah, the proposed model recommends vertical hydroponic production of cauliflower and tomatoes to reduce water and land use. It also promotes gender balance in working opportunities, thus lessening the disparity among men and women in job activities. Economic evaluation using the net present value method reaffirms the economic viability of urban farming, with a mention of the effect of land price and return on investment. Analysis of the ANP-TOPSIS model establishes that increasing the level of sustainability raises the farm's sustainability, albeit non-linearly in all the dimensions and sub-criteria. This approach supports observations regarding effective urban agriculture practices towards sustainable urban development.

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Advances in Industrial Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 October 2025

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