Is the Future of Farming Indoors? | Dissertation 2022

Is the future of farming indoors? Exploring a sustainable solution to food insecurity

Dissertation submitted to Avani Institute of Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Architecture degree By Emad

Ahamed

(VGAREBC013) under the guidance of Ar. Satyajeet Kumar Sinha

Avani Institute of Design 2021-22 © Avani Institute of Design

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Declaration

I, Emad Ahamed, hereby declare that this dissertation titled “ Is the future of farming indoors? Exploring a sustainablesolution to food insecurity ” is carried out by me at the Avani Institute of Design, Thamarassery. The work is original and has not been submitted elsewhere in whole or in part for the award of any degree/diploma at this or any other Institution / University. Emad Ahamed

Date: 09/03/2022

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Certificate

Thisistocertifythatthedissertationtitled“ Isthefutureoffarming indoors? Exploringasustainablesolutiontofoodinsecurity ”issubmittedby EmadAhamed inpartialfulfillmentoftherequirementsfortheawardofthe degreeof BachelorsofArchitecture,atAVANIInstituteofDesign, ThamarasseryaffiliatedtotheUniversityofCalicut.Theworkiscomprehensive, complete, and is deemed fit for final evaluation.

Ar. Satyajeet Kumar Sinha Assistant Professor

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Ar. Tony Joseph Principal

Abstract:

Withagrowinghumanpopulation,thereisagrowingneedforsustainablepractices, especiallywithinagriculture.Asthepopulationincreases,sodoesthenumberof resourcesusedtoprovideforit.Ourcitiesneedtobecomepartofouragricultural system.

Inrecentdecadesithasbecomeincreasinglyclearthatthewayweliveandeatisabig threattoourhealthandthehealthofourecosystem.Meanwhile,ourgrowing disconnectiontofoodhastransformedoururbanareas.Nolongerconstrainedby farmland,citieshavegrownindefinitely.Theyhaveswallowedupagriculturallandand coveredthelastconnectionpeoplehadwiththesoilthatoncefedthem.Andwiththe adventofhigh-riseliving,wearemoredistantthaneverfromthenaturalenvironment. Climatechangeisforcingustorethinkourwayoflifeandtoreconnectagricultureback intooururbanfabric.Aswenowliveinaglobalpandemic,itiscriticalthatwereallylook at how we feed our families healthy food within the city.

Forrealchangetohappen,achanginginthesystemandachangeinmindsetare needed.Connectingourselvestonature,especiallythroughasustainablebuilt environment,allowsustopayattentiontotheneedsofourobjectivereality,whichthen helpsustosolvetheproblemsofourtime.Itoobelievethatthequalityofthe countryside can influence the cities of the future, where people will feel more alive. Wearefinallywitnessingtheadventofagame-changingconcept:theverticalfarm. Consideraworldwhereeachtownhasitsownlocalfoodsource,farmedinthemost eco-friendlymannerpossible,andwherenodropofwaterortraceoflightiswasted.In thispaper,wewillexplorethefutureoffoodproduction,whichwillbe technology-enabled, geographically dispersed, and environmentally sustainable.

Keywords:

Bioarchitecture,AgroUrbanPlanning,Agritecture,sustainableagriculture,urban farming, cyber agriculture, recreational zones, environment-independent agriculture

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Chapter 3: Precedent Study

3.1 Best Practice Case Study (Literature)

3.1.1 Farmhouse

3.1.2 Regen Village,Almere, Netherlands

3.2 Innovative Practice Case Study (Live)

3.2.1 Dubai Expo 2020

Chapter 4: Inference & Conclusion

4.1 Future Of Farming & Food Production

Bibliography

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LIST OF FIGURES

Fig 1.1: Methodology Chart 11

Fig 1.2: Research Goals Illustration 12

Fig 2.1: Impact of rising food prices (2012) 21

Fig 2.2: Global Market Insights 22

Fig 2.3: Functioning of Hydroponics system 24

Fig 2.4: Aeroponic Farming 25

Fig 2.5: Functioning of Aquaponic System 25

Fig 2.6: Greenhouse 26

Fig 3.1: Farmhouse 30

Fig 3.2: Farmhouse and their interior farming environment 31

Fig 3.3: Prefabricated A-Frame Housing Modules 32

Fig 3.4: Growth of these Housing Modules 32

Fig 3.5: Mini Market in the building 33

Fig 3.6: Regen Village, Netherlands 34

Fig 3.7: Regen Village, Program 36

Fig 3.8: Regen Village, Zoning 37

Fig 3.9: Housing typologies 38

Fig 3.10: Regen system 39

Fig 3.11: Regen Village, perspective view 39

Fig 3.12: Types of farming methods 41

Fig 3.13: Vertical farming units 41

Fig 3.14: Author Exploring Sustainability Pavilion 42

Fig 3.15: Pavilions of Netherlands and Singapore 43

Fig 3.16: Exploring Mission Possible Zone at OpportunityPavilion 44

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

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1.1 Research Questions:

●How can we feed the growing population in cities?

●Is the future of farming indoors in our cities?

●What are the various types of urban farming practices?

●Can urban farmers and architects incorporate agriculture into our city biome?

●Can vertical farming be a solution to urban food supply challenges faced during a crisis? How do theysolve some of the world's biggestenvironmental problems along the way?

1.2 Aim:

Theoverallaimoftheresearchprojectistoanalyzethepossibilityofadapting vertical farminginanurbancontexttotackleoneofthealarmingconcernsofourtime;food security.Theresearchfurtherlooksintotheprospectofbringingbackthequalityof countrysideintoourcities,therebymakingusself-sufficientandsustainableinthe advent of a crisis and retaining local sustainability.

1.3 Objectives:

The objective of this paper is:

●To learn and analyze various types of modern urban farming methods.

●Tolearntheprinciples,practices,challenges,andopportunitiesofthesedifferent methods.

●To understand the requirements of food by an individual in an urban city.

●To analyze the scope and limitations of these practices.

●To explore the possibilities of vertical(indoor) farming in urban areas.

1.4 Need of the Study:

Thechallengeagriculturefacesoverthelastdecadeistofeedagrowing,increasingly urbanpopulationwhiledramaticallydecreasingitsecologicalfootprint.Inthefuture,the barissetevenhigher:agricultureshouldhelptackleclimatechangebyreducingits environmentalfootprintandactivelybuildingbiodiversitythrougharegenerative approach.Verticalfarmingistheurbanfarmingofcropsinsideacityorurbancenter building,whereinthefloorsaredesignedtoaccommodatecertaincrops.Thesespaces willactasfuturefarmlandsandtheycanbebuiltbynationswithlittleornoarableland, transforming nations that are currently unable to farm into top food producers.

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1.5 Scope of Study:

ToanalyzetheneedandrequirementsofdesigningUrbanfarmingpractices.Italso helpsincreatingastronglocalcommunitythatcaresaboutitssurroundingsandcreates anewurbanandhuman-friendlyspaceinenvironmentaleducation.Thestudycould triggerupcomingdesigncriteriainwhichfarmingbecomesapartofthedailylifeof peopleinanurbancontext.Itwillhelptopromotecommunitylivinginresidential neighborhoods,especiallyapartments.Thiscouldfosteragenerationthatismore concernedwithwaystoattainfoodandalleviatetheproblemsofmalnutritioninurban populations.Apartfromfoodsources,thesezonescouldhelpbringthequalityofthe countrysidebackintoourcities wherepeoplecouldfeelmorealive,thereby reconnecting them back with nature.

1.6 Limitation:

ThescopeofthestudyislimitedtounderstandingthegeneralconceptofUrbanfarming intheGlobalandIndiancontext.Itfocusesonvariousinnovativefarmingpractices acrosstheglobe.Itmainlyservesasaresearchguideforthosewhowouldliketo pursue further in this field of interest.

1.7 Methodology:

ThispaperexaminesthescopeofprovidingUrbanfarmlandthatdirectlyandindirectly improvesthequalityoflifeinthecityconnectingthemtoamoresustainableand stabilized city biome. Afocusedcasestudyonanexperimentalresearchdesignwasemployed,usingvarious availableresourcematerialsonvirtualmedia.Also,carewastakenusingaqualitative approachwithmultiplesourcesofdatatoincreaserigorandreliability.Alivecasestudy ofafewselectedpavilionsfromDubaiExpo2020thatpromotessustainablefarming practices is also included.

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1.8 Methods of Data Collection:

Theresearchisdonethroughprecedentstudiesanddatacollectioninaneffortto achieveinnovativeurbanfarmingpracticesthatencouragepeopletoliveahealthyand activesociallife.Itnotonlyfocusesonprovidingasolutiontourbanfoodsupply challengesbutalsohelpsincreatingasafehavenfromthebusyworldofcitiesby providing them with a glimpse of nature. Data collection is done in two stages:

1.9 Expected Outcome

Theresearchaimstoinvestigatethesignificanceofgreenarchitecture,aswellashow toincludefarmingmethodstoproduceahealthyatmosphereandlivingspace;keeping peopleconnectedtonature.Italsotriestocomprehendthevariousarchitectural solutionsthatcanaidinthecreationofasocialcommunitythatallowsindividualsto communicate and connect with one another.

1.10 Research Goals:

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

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2.1 CONTEXT:

Intheeraofrapidclimatechange,progressiveenvironmentaldegradation,andrelated lossofagriculturalland,foodhasbecomeamajorsourceofconcernforanincreasing numberofthepopulation.Theworldpopulationcouldbetoobigtofeeditselfby2050. Bythenourplanetcouldrunoutoffoodifglobalfoodsystemsarenottransformed. Sinceourplanetisfinite,andasthepopulationgrows,howcanwefeedtheworld without taking up more space?

In2015,morethanhalfoftheworldandnearlythree-quartersofthepopulationlivedin citiesandlargeagglomerations.In2050,theproportionofthepopulationlivinginurban areasaroundtheworldwillbemorethan66%accordingtotheUNforecast.Asthe worldbecomesmoreurban,fooddemandwillbedrivenprimarilybycitydwellers,with fewer rural farmers producing food on less land and with less water. (UN DESA, 2014)

“Urban centers should strive to become food producers, and not just consumers”

_Paul Teng1

Furthermore,thepresenceofpovertyisexpectedtoshiftfromruraltourbanareas. Citiesandperi-urbanareasmayandmustplayalargerroleinfoodsecurity.However, todothis,supportiveenablerssuchasnewagriculturalapproachesandtechnologies, newthinkingandpoliciesbylegislators,politicians,andconsumerswillingtoaccept newfoodvarietiesandunusualfoodproductionmethodsarerequired.Withtheglobal fooddemand,itishightimetoaskwhatandwhereelsecanbetappedtoproducethe amount of food required.

2.2 URBAN FARMING:

Urbanagriculture,urbanfarming,orurbangardeningisthepracticeofcultivating, processing,anddistributingfoodinoraroundurbanareas.Urbanagriculturecanalso involveanimalhusbandry,aquaculture,agroforestry,urbanbeekeeping,and horticulture.Theseactivitiesoccurinperi-urbanareasaswellwhichmayhavedifferent characteristics.

Inthemoderndays,theurbanizationprocesshasraisedaquestiononthesustainable developmentandgrowthoftheurbanpopulation.UFhasbeenclaimedtocontributeto urbanwasterecycling,efficientwateruseandenergyconservation,reductioninair pollutionandsoilerosion,urbanbeautification,climatechangeadaptationand

1 "CO12142 | FOOD SECURITY: Cities as part of the solutionand not ...." Accessed March 10, 2022. https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/nts/1804-food-security-cities-as-part/

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resilience,disasterprevention,andecologicalandsocialurbansustainability.Therefore, UFcontributestothesustainabilityofcitiesinvariousways—socially,economically,and environmentally. (Dane, 2020)

2.3 EVOLUTION OF URBAN FARMING

Life a miracle in the universe appeared around 4 billion years ago, and we humans only 2,00,000yearsago.Yetwehavesucceededindisruptingthebalancethatisso essentialtolife(Bertrand,2009).Theengineoflifeislinkage,everythingislinkedand nothing is self-sufficient.

Theinventionofagriculturetooklessthan10,000yearsago.Agriculturewasourgreat revolution.Itgavebirthtosurplusesandgavebirthtocities&civilizations.Theneedfor wanderingforfoodended,asgrainswerecultivatedonlands.Thetechniquesof producingdifferentvarietiesofgrains&adaptingthemtodifferentsoiltypesgavethe advantage.Agricultureisstilltheworld’smostwidespreadoccupation,halfof humankindtiltthesoil.Over3quartersofthemarebyhand(Bertrand,2009). Agricultureislikeatraditionhandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration,insweat,graft & toil. Because for humanity it is a prerequisite for survival.

Theinventionofcoal,oil&gasfreedhumansfromthetoilontheland.Withoil,began theeraofhumans,whobreakfreefromtheshacklesoftime&in50yearstheearthhas beenmoreradicallychanged,thanallpreviousgenerationsofhumanity(Bertrand, 2009).Todayoverhalfoftheworld’s7billioninhabitantsliveincities.Inthelast60 years,theearth’spopulationhasalmosttripled,andover2billionpeoplehavemovedto cities.Hence,modernurbanfarmingallowsfoodproductionfacilitiestobebuiltcloseto populationcentersratherthaninruralareas.Sewingvegetablesandfruitinstacked plantersinundergroundcomplexes,ontopofbuildings,oreveninhigh-risefacilities, means food production can expand upwards rather than outwards.

2.4 TYPES OF URBAN FARMING

Eachurbanagricultureprojectarisesinresponsetotheparticularneedsand opportunitiesofagivencommunity,organization,orsite.Notwogrowingspacesare alike—theymaybemaintainedbyvolunteersorpaidstaff,havebudgetsofacouple hundredorhundredsofthousandsofdollars,andbeaffiliatedwithoneofadozen differententitiesthatcontroltheland.Asbothtechnologyandthepushforsustainability continuetodevelop,manyurbanagriculturalideashavesurfaced.Herearesomeofthe most popular and innovative ones:

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1. Backyard Gardens:

Itistheprocessofthecultivationoffoodonone'sownland.Itscropismostly dividedamongfriends,family,andneighborsbecauseitusuallyresultsina surplus.Foodcanbestoredandpreservedaswell.Backyardgardensbenefit communitiessinceneighborscanshareeachother'sbackyardsandusevaried farming methods, resulting in higher returns.

2. Tactical Gardens:

Thisentailsmakinguseofthelimitedspaceavailabletoundertakeagriculture withoutincurringsignificantcosts.Forexample,anurbanpersonmayeasily createakeyholegardentoconcealaparkingplaceinthestreet.Thismakesuse oflandthatwouldotherwisehavegonetowasteandinsteadcreatesanactivity that may be done for pleasure or to produce more food.

3. Street Landscaping:

Thisisthelandscapingofstreetsforvariouspurposes,suchascommunity gardens,whicharemaintainedbytheresidentsoftheneighborhood.Theynot onlybeautifythestreetsbutalsopurifytheair,resultinginacleanenvironment. Becausetheyareprimarilypositionedalongthestreet,theyhavetheadded benefit of minimizing urban stormwater runoff.

4. Forest Gardening:

Itreferstothepracticeofgrowinggardensamidanurbanforest.Forest gardeningisaccomplishedbygrowingvariouscrops,vegetables,andfruitsin urbanareas.Foreststypicallygenerateanenvironmentthatisbeneficialforcrop development,andasaresult,theyaidintheprotectionofforestsandcanmake deforestationanonfactorinurbancontexts.Forestgardeningcanalsobepartof afforestationactivities,whichencouragetheplantingoftreesinurbanareasasa step toward combating global warming.

5. Greenhouses:

Itentailsthepracticeofagricultureingreenhousesinresidential,commercial, andcommunityurbanenvironments.Dependingonthecropsplanted,they requirealargeamountofareatoputup.Greenhousesallowfarmerstogrow cropsallyearbecausetheyprovideacontrolledenvironmentinwhichthecrops can be subjected to specific conditions essential for growth.

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6. Rooftop Gardens:

Eventhoughurbanareashavelimitedspace,itdoesn’tmeanthatagriculture cannotbepracticed.Thisiswhererooftopspacecomesinhandy,asitcaneasily beusedtogrowvegetables,fruits,andherbs.Thebenefitofrooftopgardensis thattheycanhelptoreduceurbanheatislandswhilealsoenhancingairquality. Asidefromthis,rooftopgardenscanbeusedtoenhancetheappearanceof recreational facilities.

7. Green Walls:

Thedevelopmentofvegetationorfoodcropsontheoutsideorinsideofawallis referredtoasagreenwall.Ittakesuplessspacebecausethemechanism utilizedhelpstodeliverappropriatewatertothefoodanditmakesuseofsoil found on the walls. It is an effective means of decreasing stormwater runoff.

8. Vertical Farms:

AbitlikeagreenhousewithBluetooth,aVerticalFarmisanairtightroom, shippingcontainer,orbuilding,whichgrowscropsunderelectriclights.Rowsof fruitandvegetablesarestackedverticallyinsteadofinonelayer,astheartificial lightsreachallofthecrops.Farmersregulatetheamountoflight,water,and temperature.Verticalfarmsareparticularlybeneficialincitieswherefresh producemustbecarriedinfromthecountryside,coveringkilometersbeforeit reaches the consumer's plate.

9. Animal Husbandry:

Thisisthepracticeofrearinganimalsforfoodinurbansettings.Anurbandweller canchoosealocationsuitableforkeepingdifferenttypesofanimalsorfocuson specificanimalssuchaspoultries,goats,rabbits,orsheep.Somecitieslimitthe number of animals one can keep and also the type of animals that can be kept.

10. Aquaponics:

Thiscomprisesbreedingaquaticanimalssuchasfishinurbanlocations.It entailscapturingstormwaterfromwithinthecityandthenestablishinga self-sustainingrecirculatingsystemintanksorartificialfishponds.Itisa cost-effective method of crop production as well as a protein source.

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2.5 OVERVIEW OF URBAN FARMING:

Theprimarypurposeofurbanfarmingistoprovidefoodtothepeoplewholiveinthese townsandcities,makingaccesstofoodmoreconvenientforpeopleandlowering carbon footprint in long-distance transportation.

Whenitcomestomeetingpeople'srequirements,urbanagriculturehasdemonstrateda highpotential;itnotonlyprovidesuswithfoodbutalsosecuresuswithasustainable distributionandproductionsystemthatiscontinuouslysupplyingjobsandemployment to the people.

Asidefromthat,UrbanFarmingbenefitsthecity'secosystemandgeneralbeautyby providing much-needed greenery in a bustling metropolitan city full of buildings.

Potential of Urban Farming:

1.Social Benefits

Urbanagriculturehelpsincommunityparticipationandstrengtheningcommunity ties,aspeoplefromthecommunityuniteforacommoncausewhichisthe promotionofurbanagricultureinthatregionalongwiththecontinued maintenanceofthatlandtomakeitmorebeautifulfornewcomers.This contributestoasenseofcamaraderieandcommitmentinsidethecommunity, which is crucial, especially during times of crisis.

2.Economical Benefits

Urbanagriculturepromotesthegrowthofnewbusinesses,whichnotonly generatesincomeforsmallbusinessownersbutalsohelpstoofferjobsforthose inneed,henceloweringunemployment.Thishelpstogrowasmallbusinessby providingthemsustainedincomes.Thelocalgovernmenthelpstoraiserevenues byhelpinginrunningoperations.Theeconomicvalueofthelandisalso increased.Thesefactorshelptoreducethecostincurredtomaintaintheland andpreventdamagebypeoplewhoillegallydumpwasteandvandalize properties.

3.Cultural Benefits

Continuedinteractionsconcerningurbanagriculturehelptocreateand strengthenbondsandpeoplefromdifferentages,gender,andracial backgroundsgettosharesignificantinformationregardingthecrops,animals, poultry,vegetables,andfruits.Culturalpracticescanalsobesharedwithinthe communities to optimize urban farming practices.

4.Nutritional Benefits

Urbanagriculture,likeallformsofagriculture,helpstoensurethatthereisa constantprovisionoffoodwithgoodnutritionalvalue.Sincealltheproducts

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deliveredtothemarketmeetsmeetthecriteriaofgoodnutritionalvaluesanddue toconcisetransportationdistancebetweenthesiteofgrowthandthemarket;the deteriorationofthenutrientandthedeclineinqualityoftheproductisminimized. Urbanagriculturealsopromotestheproductionoforganicfertilizersonsite insteadofdependingonsyntheticfertilizers.Thishelpsinreducingexposureof variousharmfulchemicaltoxinstothecommunityandtothecityasawhole, whichisinterconnectedthroughoutintheformofwatersupplyandventilation systems.

5.Health & Food Benefits

Urbanagriculturecontributestoanincreaseindemandforlocallycultivated productswhilealsoloweringthepriceofimportingfoodfromotherlocations, whichincurstransportationcosts.Itensuresthatthefoodavailableishealthyand fresh,providingtheconsumerwithmoreoptionsduringthepurchase.Italso reducesthedependencyonprocessedfoodswhicharepotentiallyunhealthyand canleadtoavarietyofailmentssuchasobesity,diabetes,andhypertension. Becauseurbanagriculturegenerateshealthfulfood,itcontributestoincreased life expectancy and a healthier lifestyle.

6.Skill building, Education & Job Training Benefits

Byparticipatingintaskssuchaspoultryfarming,animalhusbandry,and beekeeping,youcandevelopimportantskillsthatcanbeappliedinthefutureto findotherjobsandsourcesofincome.Thereisvastknowledgeavailablein urbanagricultureaboutfoodsystems,theirgrowth,andhowtosustaingrowth undervariousconditions.Thisknowledgecanbeemployedindifferentcontexts to generate new inventive ideas or improve on pre-existing ones.

7.Environmental Benefits

Urbanfarmingcontributessignificantlytoloweringthesecarbonfootprintsby loweringtheregion'soverallcarbonemissionsduetoshorterfoodtransportation distances.Theplantationaidsincarbonstoragebyactingasasinkforcarbon, whichisthenusedtocreateoxygenandlessentheimpactofpollutionacrossthe city. These effects are more strongly mitigated by urban forests.

Challenges of Urban Farming:

Therearesomechallengesconcerningurbanfarmingpracticesandpotentialproblems with its impact if it is not carried out properly:

1.Lack of space

Mostmaincitiesincountriesareverylargeanddenselyinhabited,withpeople residingacrossthecity,andmoreandmorecommercialprojectsmustbe

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developedtosupplyhomesforthecity'srisingpopulation.Thiscausesmajor problems because there is no more room to build.

2.Profits over Planet

Itiswellrecognizedthaturbanagricultureconvertslandintoaproductivesector, buttheseareasarenotalwaysexploitedfortheintendedpurpose.Farmersmay buyortakeoverlandandputitasideforvariousprojects,themajorityofwhich are profitable.

3.Government’s reservations

Accordingtothegovernment,thelandsetasideforurbanagriculturemaynotbe aneconomicallyorenvironmentallyefficientuseoftheproperty.Landrentis perhapsthemostdifficultbarriertoovercomeinurbanagriculturebecausethe governmentdoesnotpayenoughattentiontoregulatingandencouraging farming.

4.Very discouraging at times

Thecropsbeinggrownmaybecomehighlysusceptibletodamagebyvarious birdsandpests.Theseultimatelyreducethecropproductionbythelandand mayevenbeledtothespoilingoftheentirefieldofthecrop.Thisisamajor concernsinceurbanfarmersarealreadyoperatingonasmallbudget,andifthis happens, it might give them considerable financial problems.

5.Water shortage

Overuseofthecity'spublicwatersupplyforfarmingcanresultinwater shortages,whichcanbesevereindenselypopulatedareas.Somelocalities have attempted to address this issue by using treated effluent for irrigation.

2.6 URBAN FARMING AROUND THE WORLD

Agriculturalfoodproductionandwatermanagementarebecomingmoreglobalissues thataresparkingdebateonavarietyoffronts.Significantdegradationoflandandwater resources,especiallyaquiferdepletion,hasbeenseeninrecentdecades,andthe implicationsofglobalwarmingonagriculture,aswellastheeffectsofagricultureon global warming, are still not fully understood. Thereasonsforthegrowthinfoodcrisesarenumerous,andthecountriesmost affected are generally developing and underdeveloped countries.

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Fig 2.1: Impact of rising food prices (2012)

Source: UN World Food Programme

Themajordistinguishingaspectofurbanandperi-urbanagriculturefromrural agricultureisthatitisintegratedintotheurbaneconomicandecologicalsystem.Urban agricultureisapartoftheurbanecologyanditsresources,withwhichitinteracts.Such relationsincludetheuseofurbanresidentsaslaborersandtheuseofcommonurban resources(suchasorganicwasteascompostandurbanwastewaterforirrigation), directlinkswithurbanconsumers,directimpactsonurbanecology(bothpositiveand negative),competingforlandwithotherurbanfunctions,beinginfluencedbyurban policies and plans, and so on.(SciDev.Net, 2020)

2.7 FUTURE OF FARMING MAY BE UP?

Theseedsofanagriculturalrevolutionaresproutingincitiesaroundtheworld,a movementthatfollowersbelievewillrevolutionizethewayurbanitesreceivetheir products while also addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental issues. Themostpopularandprominentpracticeisverticalfarming.Itisfocusedonasimple principle: ratherthandrivingfoodfromfieldsintocities,growitasclosetohomeas possible—in urban greenhouses that stretch upward rather than outward.

Verticalfarminginvolvesplantingcropsinstackarrangementupwardstoreducethe agriculturalfootprintontheland.VerticalfarmsemploytheprinciplesofControlled EnvironmentAgriculture(CEA)toimproveplantgrowthandSoillessfarmingtechniques suchasAquaponics,Hydroponics,andAeroponicstoperformfarmingwithouttheuse of land. Green walls can also be adapted to be used in this method. (Soomro,2022)

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Traditionalfarmingneedsalotofspacetotendlivestockandfertilesoiltogroweither foodcropsorfeedforlivestock.Typically,thisentailsdestroyingforestsorothernatural habitats,buttheadventofverticalfarmingallowsformuchlessspacetobeusedand provides an imaginative method to feed more people quickly. (Discovery, 2020)

Fig 2.2: Global Market Insights

Source: Marketers Media

Lookingfurther,proponentssayverticalfarmingcouldbringevenbiggerandmore sweepingchanges.Farmingindoorscouldreducetheuseofpesticidesandherbicides, whichpollutetheenvironmentinagriculturalrunoff.Preservingorreclaimingmore naturalecosystemslikeforestscouldhelpslowclimatechange.Andthemorefoodwe produceindoors,thelesssusceptiblewearetoenvironmentalcrisesthatdisruptcrops andsendpricesskyrocketing,likethedroughtthatdevastatedthisyear'sU.S.corn crop.

DicksonDespommier,amicrobiologyprofessoratColumbiaUniversitywhodeveloped theideaofverticalfarmingwithstudentsin1999,thinksverticalfarmingwillbecome moreandmoreattractiveasclimatechangedrivesupthecostofconventionalfarming andtechnologicaladvancesmakegreenhousefarmingcheaper.Infact,hehopesthe world will be able to produce half of its food in vertical farms in 50 years.

Then"asignificantportionoffarmlandcouldbeabandoned,"hesays."Ecosystem functionswouldrapidlyimprove,andtherateofglobalwarmingwouldslowdown." (Fletcher,2012)

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2.8 TYPES OF VERTICAL FARMING

2.8.1 HYDROPONICS

Itisthepredominantgrowingsystemusedinverticalfarms,involvinggrowingplantsin nutrientsolutionsthataredevoidofsoil.Theplantrootsaresubmergedinanutrient solution,whichisfrequentlyexaminedandcirculatedtoensurethatthecorrectchemical composition is maintained. (Birkby J, 2016.)

Hydroponicsincitiesisnotanovelconcept.Foralongtime,theHangingGardensof BabylonandtheFloatingGardensofAztecadornedthetowns.Inaddition,fruitsand vegetablesweregrowninthoseplaces.Nowadays,urbanhydroponicsisusedfor physicalandpsychologicalrelaxationinmoderncities.Italsoplaysanimportantpartin themanagementoftheurbanenvironment.Itraiseshumidityanddecreases temperaturesinaridplaces.Italsoabsorbsdustandcontaminatedairthroughthe foliageoftheplants.ItcontributestoareductioninoverallCO2emissions,hence mitigating global warming to some extent.

Sincecityspaceislimited,hydroponicsgardensaretypicallybuiltvertically.Apartfrom providinganimmediateimprovementinenvironmentalquality,verticalfarmsontopof traditionalbuildingsactaslargeheatsinks,radiatingheatandraisingambientair temperature;hydroponicsystemsthermoregulatebuildingsbytrappingheatinthe winterandcoolingtheminthesummer.Growingplantsoninteriorwallscanalsohelpto improveindoorairquality.Thetwomaintypesofhydroponicsaresolutioncultureand medium culture.

Fig 2.3: Functioning of Hydroponics system

Source: Google Images

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2.8.2 AEROPONICS

ThisinnovativeindoorgrowingtechniquewasfirstdevelopedbytheNational AeronauticsandSpaceAdministration(NASA).Inthe1990s,NASAstartedfinding efficientwaystogrowplantsinspaceandcoinedtheterm“aeroponics.”Aeroponic systemsarestillinagrowingphaseintheverticalfarmingworld,howevergaining interestgradually.Itisanefficientplant-growingsysteminverticalfarms,usingupto 90%lesswaterthanotherefficienthydroponicsystems.Plantsgrowninthese aeroponicsystemstakeupmoremineralsandvitamins,makingtheplantshealthierand more nutritious. (Birkby J, 2016.)

Intropicallyhotandhumidclimates,itisdifficulttogrowtemperatevegetableslike lettuce.GeoffWilson,anagriculturaljournalistandAustralia’srepresentativeofagroup of16nationalorganizationsforaninternationalGreenRoofsorganization,hasreported inanarticlethatanewaeroponicsystemthatoriginatedinSingaporecanprovidea solutiontothisdifficulty.Traditionalaeroponicmethodsinvolvedacoldnutrientmixture that used to be sprayed onto the plant roots, thereby lowering the temperature causing

Fig 2.4: Aeroponic Farming

Source: Google Images

wiltingandultimatelydeathoftheplant.Butthistypeofcoolingisexpensive,evenfor richcitieslikeSingapore.Toovercomethislimitation,intheyear2004,GregoryChow, lecturerattheNgeeAnnPolytechnicofSingaporeinventedtheairdynaponics—amuch lesscostlywayofmaintaininglowroot-zonetemperaturesforcommerciallysuccessful aeroponics.Thissystemgavepositiveoutcomes.Researchersstatedthatthenutrients infusedwithoxygen“energized”theentirerootsystemandimprovedtheplant'stop biomass.

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AirdynaponicsusesthecoolingmethodsoftheVenturinozzleeffectinanair-powered operationthatlowersthetemperatureofthenutrientmixtureandsuppliesairfromthe dissolvedoxygen.InSingapore,thismethodisusedtoproducevaluablegreenslike butterhead lettuce, Batavia lettuce, and Romaine lettuce for moneymaking purposes

2.8.3 AQUAPONICS

Thehydroponicsystemistakenonestepforwardbyanothersystemcalledaquaponics whichcombinesplantsandfishinthesameecosystem.Thenutrient-richwastes producedbytheindoor-grownfishserveasafeedsourcefortheplantspresentinthe verticalfarm.Ontheotherhand,theplantfiltersandpurifiesthewastewaterwhichis then recycled into the fish tanks

Innormalaquaculture,excretionsfromtheanimalsbeingraisedcanaccumulateinthe water,increasingtoxicity.Inanaquaponicsystem,waterfromanaquaculturesystemis fedtoahydroponicsystemwheretheby-productsarebrokendownbynitrogen-fixing bacteriaintonitratesandnitrites,whichareutilizedbytheplantsasnutrients.Thewater is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system.

Aquaponicsconsistsoftwomainparts,the aquaculturepartforraisingaquaticanimalsandthe hydroponicspartforgrowingplants.Aquaticeffluents, resultingfromuneatenfeedorraisinganimalslikefish, accumulateinwaterduetotheclosed-system recirculation of most aquaculture systems.

Theeffluent-richwaterbecomestoxictotheaquatic animalinhighconcentrationsbuttheseeffluentsare nutrientsessentialforplantgrowth.Althoughconsisting primarilyofthesetwoparts,aquaponicssystemsare usuallygroupedintoseveralcomponentsor subsystemsresponsiblefortheeffectiveremovalof solidwastes,foraddingbasestoneutralizeacids,or for maintaining water oxygenation.

Fig 2.5: Functioning of Aquaponic System

Source: Google Images

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2.8.4 GREENHOUSE

Apolyhouse(alsoknownasapolytunnel,hoopgreenhouseorhoophouse,orhigh tunnel)isatunnelmadeofpolyethylene,usuallysemicircular,square,orelongatedin shape. The interior heats up because incoming solar radiation from thesunwarmsplants,soil,andotherthingsinsidethebuilding,fasterthanheatcan escapethestructure.Airwarmedbytheheatfromhotinteriorsurfacesisretainedinthe buildingbytheroofandwall.Temperature,humidity,andventilationcanbecontrolled by equipment fixed in the poly house.

Fig 2.6: Greenhouse Source: Civilengineering.Org

Greenhousecanbeusedtoprovideahighertemperatureand/orhumiditythanthat whichisavailableintheenvironmentbutcanalsoprotectcropsfromintenseheat, brightsunlight,strongwinds,hailstones,andcoldwaves.Thisallowsfruitsand vegetablestobegrownattimesusuallyconsideredoff-season.Everyfactorinfluencing acropcanbecontrolledinapolyhouse.Greenhousesareoftenusedinfloricultureand nurseries as the economic value of flowers can justify their expense.

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2.9 CURRENT TRENDS IN VERTICAL FARMING:

Manypeopleconsideredverticalfarmingtobepurelytheoreticalafewyearsago. Today,thepracticehasgrownintoahugeglobalindustrywithacurrentmarketvalueof a little under €13.4 billion (or $15 billion) per year. (Square Roots, 2022)

Oneofthebiggestreasonsverticalfarmingisnowfeasibleisduetotheadvancement ofsensors,smartenergysystems,andothertechnologiesthatmakegrowingmore efficient.Justlikethemanypeopleusingsmartdevicesandautomationtomaketheir homesmoreconvenient,verticalfarmsaretypicallyautomatedtocontrollight, temperature,andwateruse.Theyallowfarmerstooptimizetheconditionsrequiredfor growing to produce the food that consumers want most at the store. Thesenext-tierstructureshelprealizethefullpotentialofseedgenetics,usingdata,AI, andmachinelearningtobolsterefficiencies,saveresources,andreducethecostof growing crops vertically. (Purcell, 2022)

AhostofverticalfarmsareupandrunningintheU.S.andoverseas,andothersare underconstruction.SomearesupportedbyNGOsthatstrivetopromoteenvironmental causesorlocalemploymentgrowth.Otherswillbefor-profitcompaniesdesignedto addressthedemandforlocalproduce.Some,suchasoneinSouthKorea,are supportedbygovernmentssearchingtoexplorewaystoimprovedomesticfood security.Sofar,verticalfarmshaveonlyproducedalimitedamountoffood.Advocates arestillworkingonnewbuildingdesignsandgrowthtechniquestoimprovethe efficiency of indoor food cultivation.

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CHAPTER 3 PRECEDENT STUDY

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3.1 BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY (LITERATURE)

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3.1.1 FARMHOUSE

Fig 3.1: Farmhouse

Source: Studio Precht

Location: Urban Context

Design Firm: Precht Studio Project Status: Concept Proposal

REASON OF SELECTION

Itisaninspiringtimberskyscraperconceptthataimstotackleboththehousingand foodcrisesinonemodularstructure.Thefarmhouseprojectusesauniquetriangular structuremadefromCLTpanelstocreateamodularpyramid-likeskyscraperthat meshesurbanverticalfarmingwithmodularhousing.Thestrongconnectionwithnature is designed to relieve residents and onlookers of the mental claustrophobia of the city.

DESIGN CONCEPT

ThefoundationoftheFarmhouseistoencouragecitizenstogrowfoodlocally,butit also continues this ecological aspect with its architecture. TheFarmhouseexteriorisstrikinginanurbanenvironment.Themodularskyscraper cantakeonvariousheights,andstillpresentsasarectilinearenvelope,thoughthe triangular modules inside create a patterned facade.

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TheideaofTheFarmhousewastocelebratenatureandplantsasmuchaspossible. Forthisreason,amongothers,cross-laminatedtimberwaschosenastheprimary buildingmaterial,beingadirectderivativeoftrees.CLTfeaturestimberboardslayered in varying grain directions, to create a large and extremely sturdy panel.

DESIGN PROGRAM

TheFarmhouseconsistsofafullymodularbuildingsystem,whichisprefabricated offsiteandflat-packeddeliveredbytrucks.Prefabricationofamodularbuildingkit shortensthetimeforconstructionanditseffectonthesurrounding.Thebuildingsystem isbasedonthestructuralclarityoftraditionalA-Framehousesandconnectstoadiagrid thatrunstheloadsthroughthebuilding.Eachwalloftheframeexistsof3layers.An insidelayerwithfinishes,electricity,andpipes,amiddlelayerwithstructureand insulation, and an outside layer with gardening elements and water supply.

Forsingle-familystructures,thissystemgivesatooltohomeownerstodesigntheirown place,basedontheneedsandthedemandsoflivingandfarming.Structuraland gardeningelements,wastemanagementunits,watertreatment,hydroponics,andsolar systemscanbeselectedfromacatalogofmodulesandofferscertainflexibilityfor various layouts.(Precht, 2019)

Thehands-onapproachoftheDIYmovementplayedabigroleinthedesign.Notonly forthegardeningpartofthebuildingbutalsoforitsconstruction.Thismethodallows ownerstoselfconstructtheirtinyhousesbasedontheirchosenlayout.Architecturethat is home-built with food that is home-grown.

Fig 3.2: Farmhouse and their interior farming environment Source: Studio Precht

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Fig 3.3: Prefabricated A-Frame Housing Modules

Source: Studio Precht

Fig 3.4: Growth of these Housing Modules

Source: Studio Precht

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OBSERVATION ANALYSIS

Withthedominationofthe‘InternationalStyle’withconcreteframesandcurtainwalls, ourbuildingsbecamemostlyunanimousanduninspiring.Itmadeourcitieslookalike disregardingcultureorclimate.Citiesarefilledwithivorytowers,thatjustconsumefrom theenvironmentwithoutgivinganythingback.Theyareanislandandtheirconnection withthesurroundingstopsatthedoorman.Duetopopulationgrowthandthevast expansionofoururbanareas,wealsopushednatureoutsideandbecamedistantfrom it. (Woodsolutions, 2022)

Asanarchitect,herecomesaprominentroletoplay;tocreatebuildingsthatappealto allsenses:Buildingsthataremadewithhapticmaterialsthatyouwanttotouchandlook at.Buildingsyoucanlistentobecausebirdsandbeeswillbeapartoftheirecosystem. Buildingswiththescentofvegetablesandherbs.Andbuildingsthatyoucanpartlyeat, because they support food production.

CONCLUSION

The Farmhouse is an example of a structure that contributes to our ecosystem. It lives, breathes, and grows, and it is not an island in the city, but an integral part of the larger community.

Fig 3.5: Mini Market in the building Source: Studio Precht

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REASON OF