sustainable agriculture: vertical farming in London
Goldsmiths
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
MA Design and Environment Researching Design and Environment Jung hyun, Park
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why does London need the vertical farm?
Majority of Londoner thinks thinks that London is an environmental city. To confess the truth, there are more green areas than other cities and are used for urban agricultures. When I said I was designing vertical farm in London, many people wondered why London needs it. It is not hard to find the answers, if we consider more detail about London.
population density In 1950, 79 percent of the British lived in UK cities (Brown, 2009). The figure is already higher than other countries but analysts expect the figure to rise to 92.2 per cent by 2030 (Brown, 2009). Statistics from Office for National Statistics Web site show that, population density of London is 5,100 persons per square kilometre which is the sixth highest density in the 30 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations(Office for National Statistics, 2005). As the diagram indicates, this is half as much again as population density of Paris is 3,550. It is also about two-and-a-half times the 2,050 of New York City (Kim, 2009). Many people who live in limited space need more foods. Moreover, the foods must be obtained from other spaces because of limited space.
food mileage As aforementioned, the imported food contributes to environmental pollution. Reason being, the food has to travel before it is reached to buyer. The United Kingdom farmed food is only 58%. The figure is down from 75 percent that was produced in 1994 (Griffith). In 2007, imported food for each British per year is 434 kilogrammes. It is too much when compared to French (386kg) (Kim, 2009). 29
imported farm produce
95% 50%
58%
vegetable
British farmers and growers produce only 58% of the food , down dramatically from 75% in 1994
food mileage
fruit
per capita
x3
869 t km Franch
British
2,584 t km
population density
x1.5 x2.5
Paris 3,550 Newyork 2,050
people per km2
London 5,100
The sixth highest population density in OECD
Especially, half of the vegetables and 95 percent of the fruit come from other countries (Stacey, 2009). Because of the carbon dioxide emission, the movement of fruits and vegetables coming into United Kingdom is not sustainable (Garnett, 2000). Most of these foods come from Africa or South Africa. Moreover, in order to keep them fresh, these foods are moved by aircraft. This method generates 177 times more carbon dioxide emission than moving by ship (Stacey, 2009). In United Kingdom, the carbon dioxide released from transport is the largest source (Anderson et al. 2005). Moreover, the ratio is increasing. According to Office for National Statistics, in 2002, the greenhouse gas which came from UK transport were 47 percent higher than in 1990. As a result, the British food mileage is much higher than other countries. For example, in France, food mileage produced by one person is 869 ton kilometre. On the other hand, the British produced 2,584 ton kilometre which is three times higher than French (Kim, 2009).
change of customers’ perception Lots of environmental specialists emphasizes that the customers should consume local food and seasonal food instead of exported food to reduce this food mileage. Nowadays, there are many campaigns and web sites to recommend consumption of local food. With the effort, there is growing recognition that we should consume local foods. 83 percent of United Kingdom customers prefer local food (Tottathil, 2006). Moreover, 90 percent of UK households consumed organic food in 2008. In comparison, 76.5 percent of households consumed organic food in 2003 (Cottingham, 2009). To borrow Soil Association 31
urban f@min
urban farming & media interactive networks
Organic market report 2009’s phrase, “Organic food attracts shoppers of all income levels from a wide range of backgrounds.” The Britain spent 2.56 billion Euros to buy organic food in 2007. That is the second highest sales after Germany (Organic world web site). In 2009, vegetables, milk, fruit, yoghurt and fresh red meat sold the most organic products and these products account for more than 50 percent (Organic world web site). The farmers’ market also increases dramatically. In 1997, in United Kingdom had only one farmers’ market, however, the amount increased approximately up to 450 markets in 2002 (Garnett, 2000). Currently, the London has around 31 markets which are run with UK farmers (Organic London web site). Moreover, the UK government also recognize the necessity for having farm to reduce Britain's reliance on imported vegetables and fruit. In 2009, the government opened the biggest saladgrowing greenhouse in Paddock wood, east Kent. The greenhouse’s size is 220 acre which is size of 39 football playgrounds(Cooke, 2009). According to the BBC News, the giant greenhouse can supply millions of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to British.
Many people say that we do not need the vertical farm system at the moment. I want to ask, which system is more attractive proposition, giant greenhouse or vertical farm. For these reasons,
London need vertical farm not only for the future but also now. 33
#
application
mapping of London I tried to show locations of the existing farms and markets around London. There are 31 organic markets and 14 city farms. It can help to decide site where the vertical farm is exactly. I think that this mapping is very important than other thing in this project. After the mapping, I decided upon which crops I should choose. Augustin Rosenstiehl of SOA Architects which designed the Living Tower in Paris mentioned in New York Times’ interview (Venkataraman, 2008), every vertical farm proposal has to be adapted with the site. And he also said, “We (SOA Architects) cannot do a project without knowing where and why and what we are going to cultivate. For example, in Paris, if you grow sine wheat, it is stupid because we have big fields all around the city and lots of wheat and it is good wheat. There’s no reason to build towers that are very expensive.” (Rosenstiehl) These farms produce the products to the markets in London. Since my intension rewords these circulation is to reduce the carbon foot print cause by the long travelling distance. I’m proposing a zone among these markets which will house series of vertical farms at a reasonable distance between the markets. The lines were drowning to create these zones. I joined together that the 7 points and map which show London population density. Except the Kew Green, other points are located areas of high population density. 35
Brooks Farm Deen City Farm Freightliners City Farm Hackney City Farm Heathrow Special Farm Hounslow Urban Farm Kentish Town City Farm Mudchute Farm and Park Newham City Farm Spitalfields City Farm Stepping Stones Farm Vauxhall City Farm Wellgate Community Farm Woodlands Farm
Stoke Newington Farmer’s Market Broadway Market Dalston Food Market Leadenhall Food Market Queens Market Spitalfields Organic Food Market Walthamstow Farmer’s Market Blackheath Farmer’s Market Borough Food Market Bromley Farmer’s Market Wallington Farmer’s Market Greenwich Market Barnes Country Market Barnes Farmer’s Market Brixton Caribbean Food Market Clapham Farmer’s Market Merton Abbey Mills Farmer’s Market Pimlico Road Farmer’s Market South Kensington Farmer’s Market Twickenham Farmer’s Market Wimbledon Park Farmer’s Market Action Farmer’s Market Ealing Farmer’s Market Notting Hill Farmer’s Market Shepherds Farmer’s Market Camden Market Queens Park Farmer’s Market Swiss Cottage Farmer’s Market
Islington Farmer’s Market
Hampstead Community Market
Marybone Farmer’s Market
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islington farmers’ market
marylebone farmers’ market
farmers & costomers When I finish site mapping, I visited farmers’ markets which are Islington farmers’ market and Marylebone farmers’ market to research and interview in Euston station zone. These markets open every Sunday. When I visited these markets, there were quite a number of people in farmers’ markets. Which parts of the market attract people? A survey of organic consumers by Soil Association Organic market report 2009 has found that there are several reasons to buy organic food. The first is quality and taste (31%), next reason is no genetically modified ingredients (26%) (Cottingham, 2009). For these reasons, lots of customers come looking for organic markets. The farmers were selling seasonal vegetables, English apples, fish, traditional meat, cheese and sausages. There were more meats than vegetables. I had an interview with 6 customers and 6 farmers. Firstly, 6 different questions asked to customers how often you use organic market, what you think about the price and quality, and what you think about vertical farm. Moreover, I also asked 6 different questions to farmers where you grow them, how much of profit you make from them, and what you think about vertical farm. Upon investigation they are satisfied with the present system. Moreover, most of the farmers and customers were not informed about the vertical farm. Therefore, information about vertical farm was given to them. However, they were not convinced with the idea of farm being vertical. Reason being, they thought the products from the earth has more nutrition. On the other hand, they were also concerned about the high costing of the land in London. 39
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As mentioned before, our society is in need of vertical farm system for the future and even for present day. However, we are still not noticing the current insufficient state of agricultural system and this will become our main concern.
which crop In United Kingdom, the imports of vegetables and fruits take large proportion out of all the other imports. It is necessary for these to be delivered fast enough to maintain their freshness. Although, certain amount of fruits and vegetables are grown in United Kingdom, these lacks in their number for the British and cost more than the imported products. This situation will become obstacle for Britain’s agriculture to develop further. The purpose for suggesting vertical farm is not to compete with existing farmers around the nation. It is to move away from being dependent on imported products, thus, supporting the existing farmer to produce enough for United Kingdom. Furthermore, by allowing vertical farm in our society, we will be able to harvest products with low profitability, which most of the existing farmers avoid.
programme Current proposals of vertical farm suggest having high- rise building for accommodating agricultural products. In my point of view, this will be problematic. It is questionable if one high- rise vertical farm is able to support all the people in the city. Moreover, wouldn’t the products cost more for being organic? The main ethos of vertical farm is to provide healthy foods that are affordable for every people in the city. If this is achieved, the word “organic product” will be no longer used. 41
Support Centre for famer Education Centre for famer Agriculture Research Institute London farm Education Famers’ Restaurant Herb Tea Shop Weekend Family Farm Vertical Farm’s Market Tour Centre Archive Book Store & Souvenir Shop
My seven selected vertical farm, from mapping exercise, will each produce different crops. The scale of each farm will then be decided according to the crops that are given to each farm. These farms will also accommodate different functions other than farm. For example, vertical farm in Euston could accommodate agriculture research institute. This programme could run along with colleges around Euston and make a study on how to make better food. For vertical farm situated in a site where large number of tourist come to, tourist centre could be inserted into vertical farm. By injecting other functions within vertical farm, economic improvements will occur. More people will be attracted to vertical farm due to these functions and will purchase agricultural products at the same time. On the other hand, these facilities will provide job opportunity. Therefore, the vertical farm will continuously develop along with the local society.
relation between vertical farm and existing farmers The current farmers in United Kingdom mostly concentrate on raising domestic animals due to Britain’s large consumption on meat and the weather condition. Farmers growing vegetables and fruits maintain their farm in large scale; therefore, it is hard for people to start their own farm. On the other hand, farmers with small scale farm leave their job for economic reason. As aforementioned, within London vertical farm project, other programmes that are related to agriculture will be inserted within vertical farm. Programme such as agriculture research institute will help the current agriculture to develop. For example, it will come up with new technology for agriculture and educate the farmers to help them. Moreover, it will provide agricultural education system for the people who wish to become a farmer, which will reduce spending time on trial and error. The other programme for the farmers is support centre. This will be running with United Kingdom government. The support centre will give farmers with opportunity to come up with solution for their problem through consultation with professionals. The ultimate goal for having vertical farm is not to oppose with the existing farmers. It is to be complementary between each other and develop further. Agriculture Research Institute
Education Centre for famer
famers
Support Centre for famer 43
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Cooke, Jeremy (2009) Giant greenhouses open in UK. BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7818003.stm 1.April.2010 Cottingham, Martin and Leech, Amy (2009) Organic market report. Soil Association. Despommier, Dickson, Vertical farm website. http://www.verticalfarm.com/essays.html 09.April.2010 Elmslie Osler Architect website. Food Chain http://www.eoarch.com/food-chain.html 13.April.2010 Garnett, Tara (2000) Wise Moves, Exploring the relationship between food, transport, and CO2. Transport 2000 Trust. Griffith, Peter, Growing in a new direction. Farming Online website. http://www.farming.co.uk/articles/view/1025 6.April. 2010
Hoagland, D.R., and Arnon, D.I. (January, 1950) The water-culture method for growing plants without soil. California Agricultural Experiment Station. Jabcobs, Chris website. Vertical Farm project http://www.chrisjacobs.com 19.April.2010 Kaplan-Seem, Anya (2008) Farming towards the sky in LA’s Skid Row. Yale Sustainable Food Project website. http://yalesustainablefoodproject.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/farmingtowards-the-sky-in-las-skid-row/ 13.April.2010 Kim, Jihyun (2009) Food Mileage. DongA http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200909280119 1.April.2010 Kim, Kyuhyun (2009) Seoul ranks highest in population density among OECD countries. HanKyoReh. http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/393438.html 14.April.2010 Logan, Marty and Foss, Mark (2004) Urban agriculture reaches new heights through rooftop gardening. The International Development Research centre. http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-54212-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html 11.April.2010 Meinhold, Bridgette (2009) Michelle Obama to plant white house garden. http://inhabitat.com/2009/03/23/michelle-obama-to-plant-edible-garden/ 11.April.2009 Office of National Statistics website (2005) Urban areas. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1307 15.April.2010 Organic Directory website. http://www.infolondon.ukf.net/organic/markets.htm 3.April.2010 Organic World website. http://www.organic-world.net/europe-2009.html 3.April.2010 Osler, Robin Elmslie (2009) Vertical Farming. Video from the NBM. http://www.nbm.org/media/video/greener-good/vertical-farming.html 13.April.2010 Pfeiffer, Dale Allen (2006) Eating Fossil Fuels. New Society Publishers.
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SOA Architects website, The Living Tower. http://www.ateliersoa.fr/verticalfarm_fr/pages/images/press_urban_farm.pdf 12.April.2010 Stacey, Caroline (2009) Food miles. BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodmiles.shtml 1.April.2010 Starrs, Tom, Fossil Food: consuming our future. Centre for Ecoliteracy website. http://www.ecoliteracy.org/essays/fossil-food-consuming-our-future 12.April.2010 Thiyagarajan, G., and Umadevi, R. (January, 2007) Hydroponics. Science Tech Entrepreneur. Tottathil, Saona E. (2006) The food miles of fair-trade: Do people care? University of Oxford. Urban Farming website, Food chain. http://www.urbanfarming.org/programs/foodchain.html 13.April.2010 United Nations, World population prospects, The 2008 revision Wikipedia. Food miles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_miles 2.April.2010 Window Farms website. http://www.windowfarms.org
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Valcent Products inc. website. http://www.valcent.net/ 06.April.2010 Venkataraman, Bina (2008) Country, the city version: Farms in the sky gain new interest. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/health/15iht-15farm.14494470.html 12.April.2010
image credits 2 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
4 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
6 sustainable cities
http://www.sustainablecitiesnet.com
7 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
8 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
10 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
12 amin taha architects
http://www.amintaha.co.uk/
16 inhabitat magazine
http://inhabitat.com/
17 window farms project http://www.windowfarms.org/ 18 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
19 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
20 Chris Jacobs
http://www.chrisjacobs.com/
21 New York magazine
http://nymag.com/
22 vertical farm project
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
24 Elmslie Osler Architect http://www.eoarch.com/ 28 topic photo agency
http://www.topicphoto.com/
32 vertical farm project
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
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