Floating Urban Farms

Posted on August 10, 2016
By Devon Kerslake

As our cities continue to grow we will need innovative solutions more than ever: we will have more people and no space!

When considering our expanding world population, I ask: how will there be enough food for everyone to eat?

With the increased density of urban spaces and cities sprawling into beautiful farmlands, I wonder: how will we find the space to grow the food required to feed the cities?

When I picture the city landscape, I see: a cool colour palette of blues and greys; concrete and glass for miles with only slivers of blue sky peeking through. 

Isn't it exciting to know that innovative ideas are painting cities with a new colour? There is a refreshing green approach emerging that feeds more people, uses space in creative ways and makes cities more beautiful to live in.

 

Innovative ideas are growing in cities around the world

A neighbour shared a story with me recently about Toronto's plan for creating a new green space. Mayor John Tory announced that "The City of Toronto plans to create an 8.5 hectare "signature park," named Rail Deck Park, that will cover the railway tracks between Bathurst Street and the Rogers Centre." It's incredible to imagine the size and scope of such a project and the millions of people it will benefit.

floating_urban_farm.jpgThen, this morning I came across this related story with a food-security focus (see image on the left.) Learning about this level of innovation it is clear that cities are getting creative about how to re-think their urban spaces and improve the wellbeing of city-dwellers!

Over on the 100 Resilient Cities blog they elaborated on this food security project:

"Our member city Rotterdam (The Netherlands) is taking a notable – and unusual – approach to tackling this challenge. The city’s Resilience Strategy includes a plan for a floating urban farm that will house 60 dairy cows that produce milk, cheese, cream, butter and yogurt – all in Rotterdam’s harbor. The sustainable farm takes advantage of the Netherlands’ agricultural and maritime expertise, but also presents other benefits – the farm will be an educational platform and community space, where students can learn about their food systems. While the farm alone cannot completely transform how Rotterdam feeds itself, the project can show what’s possible and invites citizens to consider how food is produced."

Now that's food for thought!

Can you think of ways that this out-of-the-box thinking can apply to how you are approaching your own community solutions? Have you heard of other ways that cities are innovating for their citizens? I would love to hear from you!

Topics:
Community Innovation, food security, Cities Deepening Community


Devon Kerslake

By Devon Kerslake

Devon believes in the positive, transformative power of art for all communities great and small. She holds an MA in Cultural Studies with a special emphasis on Curatorial Practices. Following this degree, Devon worked for the Winnipeg Film Group supporting Canadian Independent film and for the University of Winnipeg Cultural Studies Research Group as a Project Coordinator specializing in academic learning events.

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