Farm in buildings - Sustainable solutions for urban in the 21st century

By 2050, nearly 80% of the population on Earth will settle in urban areas. From there, humanity is expected to welcome 3 billion new members. If we continue to apply farming techniques, people need 10 billion hectares of agricultural land to produce enough food for about 9.2 billion mouths. Meanwhile, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 80% of the cultivated land on Earth has been cultivated.So what does humanity need to do to avoid the food crisis for another 50 years, especially in big cities while the agricultural land fund is limited and at risk of shrinking in the context of climate change. and rising sea level?

A sustainable solution is to set up a farm on skyscrapers in the heart of the city center . This initiative by Professor Dickson Despommier of Columbia University's Department of Environment and Microbiology (USA) is attracting the attention of international experts and the press. If successfully deployed, the ' vertical farms ' (vertical farm - Dickson's word) can create safe, varied and transparent food sources for cities, while contributing creating an ecosystem that is seriously degraded due to the 'horizontal' farming tradition.

In addition to low construction costs as well as safety in management, building farms have an advantage that can help curb global warming. That is not to say, the plant will be completely immune when the 'wind breeze' and environmental pollution. In addition, these farms can become water treatment plants, while contributing to urban beautification.

Vertical farm model (Photo: verticalfarm.com)

1. Most of the energy in the farm is supplied from the solar ' pan '.

2. The spiral features a windmill that adds energy to the farm when it is not sunny.

3. All glass is coated with titanium oxide to absorb pollutants and rainwater will wash away pollutants. The gutter system around the building will catch rainwater and purify it for irrigation.

4. Environment control room on the farm.

5. The circular architecture is designed to make the most of the space and direct light into the center of the building.

6. In addition to farming, the farm can also raise poultry or livestock.

Inside the farm (Photo: verticalfarm.com)

7. Irrigation systems can program the amount of water and spray on each crop.

8. Wastewater during irrigation will be concentrated in the lake to transfer to the clean filter system.

9. The ' electronic eye ' system monitors fruit maturity by observing colors.

10. Cultivate class by using space.For small seasons, each floor can be planted into 10 layers.

Professor Dickson said his idea was completely feasible. It is estimated that about 150 30-storey farms can provide enough fruit, vegetables and food to nearly 9 million people in New York City for a year. Applying the current ' green ' construction system, each vertical farm can provide clean water and energy, and the surplus can be provided to the people. He emphasized that with the prospect of most of the world's population coming to big cities by 2050, the construction of a skyscraper is a plan to consider.

The idea of ​​a vertical farm was punctuated by Professor Dickson six years ago (see details at www.verticalfarm.com ). Since then, many scientists and businessmen in countries lacking farmland such as the Netherlands, Iceland, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have contacted him to cooperate in research on deployment. This idea.

According to his calculations, a group of scientists, economists and architects takes 5 to 10 years to map out a plan to build a farm model, combining modern farming techniques with public Latest sustainable construction technology. Professor Dickson hopes that if he receives the sponsorship of oil sponsors or oil corporations from crowded countries, the first vertical farm will be born in 15 years.

(Photo: verticalfarm.com)

(Photo: verticalfarm.com)

MAI