The Future of Food Production Derived from the Past.
We have to find large-scale solutions to ensure food and water security for our rapidly growing cities. As I described in my previous post about Blue City, a circular economy would be an optimal way to do so. For this post, I looked into the technological developments that may make circular large-scale urban farming possible. I found an age-old technique that might provide the solution: aquaponics.
Aquaponics is a very effective food production technique that was already used by the Aztecs in the 16th century. The principle is very simple: plants are grown directly in the water. Fishes are kept in the water and produce waste, which provides nourishment for the plants. At the same time, the plants filter the water and restore the oxygen level. This principle optimises the use of land and water by farming fish and crops at the same time. In fact, using this setup only 2% of the amount of water used in conventional farming is consumed.
I think urbanizing aquaponic farming has many benefits. Next to the fact that this technique saves a lot of water and space, another great benefit is that fish can be farmed locally. This saves on transport, offers fresher products and spares the oceans and rivers. Next to that, the water does not require complex installations to be filtered. The waste gets a new purpose: feeding the plants. All year round and independent of the climate.
Urban Organics is already applying this principle in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They started their own aquaponic farm in an old Hamm’s beer brewery. The food they produce is sold to local restaurants and supermarkets. Take a look at their very nice website here.
Philips has come up with a rather surprising application of the technique: an aquaponic home farm. This stylish production unit has five levels: two for plants, one for algae, one for organic waste and one for fish. The setup is provided with a transport system to transfer water from one level to the other, and even has a light system: optical fibres redirect sunlight during the day and methane captured from the organic waste can power the lights at night.
According to Philips designers, whoever grows a bit of basil on the windowsill, will be addicted to farming his own aquatic animals in no time...
