In the heart of Sharjah, the Dibba Al Hosn public housing project stands as a symbol of the United Arab Emirates’ rapid urban transformation. Once characterized by the traditional detached homes with private family-oriented outdoor spaces known as *hosh*, this area has transitioned into a vertical housing model, prioritizing land-use efficiency in a densely populated region. But this shift has come with a cultural cost—residents now grapple with the loss of those cherished outdoor spaces. A new study by Khaled Galal Ahmed, from the Emirates Center for Happiness Research at the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, offers a compelling solution: reimagining vertical farming not just as a tool for urban agriculture, but as a socio-spatial design strategy that could restore the essence of the *hosh* in a modern, high-rise context.
Ahmed’s research, published in *Frontiers in Sustainable Cities* (translated from Arabic: *Frontiers in Sustainable Cities*), explores how integrating vertical farming into vertical housing could address both cultural and environmental challenges in hot-arid climates like the UAE’s. The study presents three design scenarios—Integrated External Vertical Farming, Attached Vertical Farming, and Mixed Vertical Farming—each visualized through immersive virtual reality (VR) technology. These scenarios were then evaluated by 30 Emirati prospective users aged 20–23, whose feedback revealed a clear preference for the Mixed Vertical Farming approach. Why? Because it balances privacy, usable outdoor space, and greenery while maintaining cultural compatibility.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this research is its focus on water-reuse and irrigation strategies as enabling technical systems. In a region where water scarcity is a pressing concern, vertical farming integrated into residential buildings could serve as a dual-purpose solution: producing food while also contributing to passive cooling and shading. Ahmed notes that while the environmental benefits—such as reduced energy demand for cooling—are promising, they require further validation. Still, the potential is undeniable. Imagine a high-rise apartment where each unit features a lush vertical garden, not only enhancing the living experience but also reducing the building’s reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning.
For the energy sector, this research opens a window into how sustainable housing innovations could intersect with urban agriculture to create more resilient, efficient, and culturally attuned developments. The commercial implications are significant: developers in hot-arid regions could leverage vertical farming as a selling point, appealing to environmentally conscious buyers while also addressing practical concerns like water conservation and energy efficiency. The study’s emphasis on user acceptance also underscores the importance of community participation in shaping future housing projects—a lesson that could extend beyond the UAE.
As Ahmed’s work suggests, the future of vertical housing may not lie in stark, concrete towers devoid of nature, but in designs that seamlessly blend technology, culture, and sustainability. The *hosh* of old may be gone, but with a little innovation, its spirit could live on—high above the desert floor.