Rise Up: Let’s turn concrete blocks to Green Crops! Let’s seed the needs & be the urban farmers!

The concept of Urban Farming is now not a new one at all. Based on today's needs, it can be said that It's not a fashion by any how. By meeting up the regular need of foods, vegetables or other essential organic herbs, it can also be a vital factor to confront local urban heat island and thus, to global warming in a broad sense.

Let's apply the urban farming technology to begin the change!

Our cities are becoming crowded days after days. Even, our cultivable lands specially in the villages are also depleting since the increasing of population. In villages or cities, the scenarios are the same. Additional people need additional dwelling places to live. So, cultivable lands are occupying by the dwelling structures. Predominantly in cities, the scenarios are alarming. Cities are dependent on villages or food growing lands. But if cultivable lands are occupied by increased pace of industrialization & harsh impact of climate changes on soil, the harmony of growing foods will collapse in the long run. Urban planners’ & specifically: Architects’ roles are crucial for an ideal Urban Farming or gardening for creating a self-sufficient city or urban area.

So, what Urban Farming really is:  

As an academic or bookish definition; Urban farming refers to the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food within or around cities and densely populated areas. It encompasses a variety of techniques, such as rooftop gardens, vertical farming, community gardens, hydroponics, and aquaponics.

What is its purpose?

Urban farming aims to improve:

---local/ individual building’s food security,

---reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting food,

---promote sustainable practices

---enhances urban environments by repurposing unused spaces for food production,

---improving air quality, and

---fostering community engagement.

In addition to growing food, urban farming can include livestock, beekeeping, and fish farming, all integrated into the urban ecosystem.

In history when this idea was started?

Egyptian farming in History

Actually, the history of urban farming is very old, started from ancient civilizations, where city dwellers grew food within urban centers. For example, in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, urban agriculture played a crucial role in feeding growing populations.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrialization led to migration to cities, sparking urban gardening movements. During World Wars I and II, "Victory Gardens" were encouraged in the U.S. and Europe to boost food production and morale.

By the 1970s, the rise of environmental awareness renewed interest in urban farming, promoting sustainability and community empowerment.

In recent decades as up-to this 2024 when I am writing this topic, urban farming has surged globally as cities confront food insecurity, climate change, and population growth. With advancements in technology like vertical farming and hydroponics, urban agriculture continues to evolve as a key component of resilient, sustainable cities.

 

Since I am a Bangladeshi citizen, a guy from a third world country, I feel its urgency tremendously for my country right now because Bangladesh has only 1,43,998 sq km. of area and it’s super-fast rushing to be an industrialized country to meet up the needs of huge population. 180 million people is not a matter of joke for surely, right?

However, it’s not only for Bangladesh, but also starting urban farming for any densely populated country requires careful planning and consideration of various factors to ensure success. As an architect, I should say that proper and considerable planning and design is necessary to help grow a city as “Green city”. Architects can play significant role for it. Therefore, key needs include: 

 

1. Space: Urban farming can take place in a variety of spaces, such as rooftops, vacant lots, backyards, balconies, or even indoors with vertical farming setups. Identifying and securing a suitable area is essential, even if it's small.

 

Farming on the roof.

2. Access to Water: Reliable water access is crucial for maintaining crops. This could mean utilizing rainwater collection systems, drip irrigation, or other efficient watering methods to water in urban gardening or farming.

 

3. Soil: The depth of soil is always important. Normally, for 1 foot tall or shallow- rooted plants require at least 6 inches depth of soil. If the plants are more deeper-rooted, it requires at least 1-foot-deep soil. Soil type, soil health & condition are also needed to be reckoned.

Comparison of soil depth

4. Soil content: Soil container play also a significant role. Potted soils are easy to carry, light in weight and drains the excess water better that typical ground soil.

 

Balcony, Verandah, Corridor can be utilized in production

5. Other Growing Medium: Traditional soil may not always be available or viable in urban environments. Alternatives like raised beds, container gardens, or soilless mediums such as coco-powder, hydroponics or aquaponics systems can be used.

 

6. Sunlight: Most plants require adequate sunlight, so it's important to assess the available light in the chosen space; even for indoor light. We should try to ensure that plants can get sunlight at least for 6 to 8 hours. For indoor farming, artificial grow lights can supplement or replace natural light.      

 

Exposure of Sunlight differ from plants to plants

7. Seeds and Plants: Selecting the right crops for the local climate and conditions is vital. Leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, and other vegetables are often ideal for urban farming due to their relatively short growing cycles and adaptability.

 

8. Drainage system: To keep the plants’ root away from getting rotten the drainage system should be ideal. So, we should keep attention specially for soil containers that it has drainage hole with it.

 

Soil and Drainage hole in pot

9. Community and Expertise: Urban farming often thrives with community involvement, whether through shared spaces or support networks. Access to knowledge, either through local experts, online resources, or workshops, can help with troubleshooting and improving the production techniques.

 

10. Authority’s Permission and Regulations following Building codes: In some cities, urban farming may require permits or adherence to specific regulations regarding land use, mandatory green spaces, setback rules, water rights, or pesticide use. Understanding local laws is essential for avoiding legal complications.

Types of productions we can expect from urban farming:

If you want to be urban farmers in your buildings there are variety of options for growing vegetables, crops, and even innovative productions by techniques like hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming. You can cultivate:

1. Vegetables

• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and arugula thrive in vertical farming systems due to their short growing cycles and low space requirements. These can be grown year-round indoors under controlled conditions.

Leafy Green Vegetables vary with their nutrition

• Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, and thyme grow well in small containers or hydroponic systems, making them perfect for indoor or rooftop gardens.
• Tomatoes and Peppers: Smaller varieties of tomatoes and peppers (e.g., cherry tomatoes) can be grown in pots, containers, or vertical towers, requiring good sunlight or grow lights.

Tomatoes are growing in buckets!

• Root Vegetables: Radishes, carrots, and beets can be grown in deep containers filled with loose, well-aerated soil. These crops can adapt to limited space with proper management.

Cultivate and enjoy their health benefits

Also Read:  Belly Fat Reduce: Foods, Habits, Tips & Tricks We Need to follow

2. Fruits

• Strawberries: Ideal for vertical or hanging systems, strawberries can flourish in urban environments with enough light and water.

Strawberries in plastic Holders

• Small Citrus Trees: There are varieties of lemons, limes, or oranges that can be grown in large pots and thrive indoors or on rooftops.
• Banana trees: Banana trees can be planted at the surrounded mandatory open spaces or setback spaces around the building at ground floor or even on roof top.

Banana tree can be planted anywhere

3. Sugarcane & Guava:

·             At roof top with high soil containers sugarcane & guava lovers can produce these items.

4. Microgreens and Sprouts

• Microgreens like sunflower shoots, pea shoots, or wheatgrass are nutrient-dense, easy to grow, and harvest in just a couple of weeks. These can be cultivated on shelves or countertops indoors with minimal light and space.

5. Aquaponics and Fish Farming in vertical Farming

• In aquaponic systems, vegetables like lettuce, herbs, and tomatoes are grown alongside fish, such as tilapia, in a symbiotic relationship. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, while the plants filter the water for the fish.

Aquaponics & fish farming can be simultaneously  done with vertical garden.

6. Mushrooms

• Mushrooms such as oyster or shiitake can be grown in dark, damp areas of a building using substrates like straw or sawdust. These thrive in spaces where traditional crops wouldn’t grow.

Mashroom's prospect is huge.

7. Beekeeping

• For buildings with rooftop space, beekeeping can complement urban farming. Bees help pollinate crops and provide honey and wax as valuable products.

Beekeeping enhances the farming process.

So, with the right setup, urban farming can be highly productive, using every inch of available space to grow diverse crops and other produce efficiently.

 

The impact of urban farming to our society & world:

There are numerous positive impacts of urban farming on communities, the environment, and the economy. Some of the most significant benefits we can mention here:

1. Offers Food Security

Urban farming helps address food insecurity by making fresh, nutritious produce more accessible to city dwellers. Locally grown vegetables and fruits reduce dependence on external food sources and long supply chains, especially in underserved urban areas, where access to healthy food is often limited.

2. Delivers Environmental Sustainability

By cultivating food closer to where it's consumed, urban farming reduces the need for long-distance transportation, cutting down on carbon emissions. Additionally, urban farms can repurpose vacant lots and underutilized spaces, turning them into productive green areas. Many urban farming techniques, such as vertical farming and hydroponics, use water more efficiently and require less land than traditional farming methods, promoting sustainable resource use.

Farming keeps environment cool & comfortable

3. Improves Air Quality and Biodiversity

Green spaces created by urban farms improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and releasing oxygen (O2). 

CO2, CH4 reduce their harmful impacts in green atmosphere than that of harsh urban settings

These urban gardening also promote urban biodiversity by providing habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Rooftop gardens, terraces, balconies, and green walls can act as insulation for buildings, reducing energy consumption and mitigating the urban heat island effect.

All species & human health reman in a harmony for greeneries.

4. Brings Community and Social Benefits

Urban farms foster community engagement by providing a space for people to come together, share knowledge, and participate in growing their own food. This strengthens social bonds and increases community resilience. In many cities, community gardens serve as educational spaces, teaching people about nutrition, sustainability, and food production.

Joint venture is a plus for thriving up!

5. Creates Economic Opportunities

Urban farming can generate jobs in agriculture, food processing, distribution, and education. It also encourages local entrepreneurship, with urban farmers selling their produce directly to consumers at farmers' markets, restaurants, or through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. This supports local economies and keeps food spending within the community.

Urban Farming will uplift us together.

So, we can conclude by the above discussion that urban farming can be a very efficient way to contribute to our cities to make it healthier, cooler, tranquil and more comfortable to live. Needless to say, that an urban farmer thus, can enhance environmental resiliency, and can promote social and economic growth simultaneously. 

Should we stay away from it? I will say, “No” in a straight way. :)