Empowering Urban Slums: Assessing The Potential of Vertical Farming to Enhance Health, Environment, And Employment in Mumbai

Abstract

Purpose
The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of Awareness on and Acceptance of vertical farming, Willingness to Participate in vertical farming, Perceived Improvement in Health and Well-being, Perceived Environmental Benefits, and perceived employment opportunities.
Design
The sample frame used in this study comprised 793 respondents from four suburbs of Mumbai: Kurla, Chembur, Govandi, and Mankhurd; SEM was identified using Smart PLS.
Findings
The results show that Awareness of Vertical Farming, Acceptance of Vertical Farming, and Willingness to Participate in vertical farming have a significant positive effect on Perceived Improvement in Health and Well-being, Perceived Environmental Benefits and Perceived Employment Opportunities. The results obtained from this research prove vertical farming as an instrumental resolution to catalyse the betterment of health, environment and unemployment through sustainable initiatives in slum lands. Having the same can lead to better living standards, opportunities and livelihoods for communities.
Originality
The significant contribution of this study was in pinpointing the benefits, and gauging their impact on underserved slum localities such as Kurla, Chembur, Govandi & Mankhurd etc. This research provides a clear view of the connections of in vertical farming amongst awareness, acceptance, and participation with prominent four perceived benefits (health promotion, environmental felicitation, employment opportunity) that will be very beneficial for sustainable Urban development. Results of this study help guide policy makers, NGOs and local communities to efficiently target interventions that serve the most disadvantaged groups.