Vertical farming thesis

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh | 15110016

PEOPLE LIVING IN URBAN AREAS

WORLD

< 30 %

1950

53.9 %

62%

2015 2035

DELHI

<4%

25.9 %

43.3 %

Source : https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf

1950

2015 2035

TRADITIONAL VS VERTICAL

Why do we need vertical farming?

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

DELHI'S GROWTH LAND USE + OCCUPATION PATTERNS

Over the past several decades, the city has seen an immense loss in vegetation in conjunction with the growth of urban areas and agriculture. The latter of these two are very detrimental for pollution as they both are emission sources for gaseous and solid waste, as well as the fact that they both present an issue of chemical runoff which during the monsoon season can be very harmful to the Yamuna region. The raw data gathered alone spells a dangerous future for Delhi.

If the process of urbanization continues the pattern of the last 25 years, The National Capital Territory will lose all the agricultural and forest areas by 2028. These dramatic changes, on such a small timescale of 25 years and the immediate projections, illustrate just how vital it is that this problem be addressed holistically by the correct authorities.

Delhi Rural populaƟon (Lacs) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2001

2011

Farmland under culƟvaƟon (hectares)

No. Of Delhi villages

60000

300

50000

250

40000

200

30000

150

20000

100

10000

50

0

0 2000

2016

1961

2011

Source : http://www.yamunariverproject.org/

Vertical farming

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

PROTOTYPE FOR INDOOR FARMING

AGRICULTURE: URBAN WHOLESALE MARKETS

Okla Mandi is th one of the biggest vegetable wholesale markets in Delhi. It was developed by DDA (Delhi Development Authority) and is called the "fruits and vegetable market sub yard•Okhla''.

Farmers from all adjacent villages come here to sell their produce to the retailers and also to consumers. All the areas around Delhi get their supply of vegetables and fruits from Okhla Mandi, especially South Delhi, Ghasiabad, Noida and Gurgaon.

58% of Delhi’s waste directly dumped into river Source : Food Systems (Re-Centering Delhi Research Catalog) - The Yamuna River Project elhi R ese

Site and its neighbourhood

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF VERTICAL FARMING S.No. Name

Locati Hei on ght

Type of Building

Products

Area

Technology

year Website

1.

The Plant Vertical Farm

Chicago, IL

Existing building in 19 century

Wide variety of edible crops includes an artisanal brewery, kombucha brewery, mushroom farm, and bakery, Tilapia

100,000 sq.ft

-Aquaponics systems and fish breeding areas - Hydroponic -Recycling waste to energy - Using biogas from an anaerobic digester -Natural sun energy

2013

www.plantchicag o.com

2.

Sky Greens Farms

Singapor 9 m e

New

leafy green vegetables

600 m

-Aeroponuic system -Low carbon hydraulic waterdriven -Natural sun energy

2009

www.skygreens.a ppsfly.com

3.

VertiCrop TM

Vancouv er, Canada

Rooftop of existing building

Leafy greens, micro greens, and strawberries

50*75 Sq.ft, 120 racks with 24 growing trays on each rack = 16-acre farm.

-Fully automated system - Closed loop conveyor hydroponic -Room temperature, lighting, fertilization, irrigation and recapturing of the water being used - Natural and artificial light

2009

www.verticrop.co m

4.

Republic of South Korea VF

South Korea

3 story

New

leafy green vegetables ,almost wheat, and corn

450 m²

-Renewable resources like geothermal and solar -Automated rack system - LED

2011

www.cityfarmer.in fo/

5.

Nuvege plant factory

Japan (Kyoto)

4 story

Leafy green vegetables

30,000 -Automated rack system horizontal sq.ft -LED grow lights 57,000 sq.ft of -Hydroponics vertical growing space

6.

Plantlab VF

Den Bosch, Holland

3 Existing story building under groun d

every imaginable crop, including beans, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries

7.

Vertical Harvest plans2

Jackson Wyomin g, USA

3 story

New

tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, and micro greens

8.

Planned Vertical Farm

Linkopin g, Sweden

17 story

New

Asian leafy green vegetables

9.

Green Sense Farms

-First farm in : Portage, Indiana Shenzhe n, china

New

-Micro Greens -Baby Greens -Herbs -Lettuces

20,000 sq./ft

-Using stacking vertical towers 2014 http://www.gree -Using automated computer -2016 nsensefarms.com 2012 controls, which provide the precise amount of light, nutrients, water, temperature, and humidity - Minimize waste, and recycle water technique

10.

AeroFarms

Newark, New Jersey

New

250 different types of herbs and greens grow like kale, arugula, and mizuna.

20,000-sq/ft with 35 rows and 12 levels of vertically grown

-Without any soil, pesticides, or sunlight. - Crops sit on stacked trays outfitted - LED lights -Using Sensors that track the growing process.

- Recycle water technique

3stor y

9m

4500 sq.ft. footprint into 18,000 sq.ft., or four times the growing area

www.nuvege.com

-Without the use of daylight - Advanced LED -Aeroponic and hydroponic

2011

www.plantlab.nl/

-Recirculating hydroponic methods - LED

2012

www.verticalharv estjackson.com/

-Aeroponic -Hydroponic -Using waste products in the process - Natural lighting

2012

www.plantagon.c om

http://aerofarms. com/

Source : Thesis Book - The Seed -Urban Vertical Farming

PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF VERTICAL FARMING #

Benefits

Environmental

Reduce food-miles (travel distances)

Social Improve air quality, health

Economical Reduce energy, packaging, fuel use

Reduce air pollution

1 Reduce water consumption for food production

Reduce surface water run-off

2

3

Recycle organic waste

4

Create local jobs

Reduce needed land fills

Reduce commuting time

Reduce fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides

5

Improve the environmental well- being

Make portable water available to more people

Reduce costs

Improve food quality, purify grey water to drinking water

Turn waste into asset

Create a local community of workers and social network with farmers

Benefit local people economically

More control of food safety Reduce costs

Reduce redundant, repetitive work

6

Improve productivity

7

Avoid crop losses due to floods, droughts, hurricane, over exposure to sun, and seasonal changes

Needs less space

Offer greater yields

Improve food security

8

Control product / produce regardless to seasons

Avoid economics losses

Reduce environmental damage

Increase accessibility year- round

Stimulate economic activities year-round

Year-round production

Reduce fossil fuel use

9

10

11

Use renewable energy

Improve air quality

Increase bio- diversity Bring nature closer to city

Promote high-tech and green industry

Improve health, reduce stress and improve welfare

Improve environments Encourage higher education and generated skills

Reduce costs

Create jobs in the city

Provide new jobs in engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, construction and maintenance, R&D

12

13

Reduce the activities of traditional farming

Repurpose dilapidated buildings

Vertical farming

Preserve and restore natural ecosystem

Improve health

Enhance the environment

Create opportunities for social interaction

Save money required to correct environmental damage

Revive economy

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

CULTURE ROOM

The following steps are taken by workers entering the culture room: (1) enter the changing/locker room in the operation room, (2) take off all clothing, (3) take a hot water shower or air shower for the whole body including hair/head washing, (4) put on clean underwear, overalls, cap, mask, and gloves, (5) wash the hands while wearing the gloves using a disinfectant for sterilization, (6) put on clean boots and sterilize the boot soles, (7) take an air shower again, and (8) enter the culture room.

“CLOSED-LOOP

Seeding for germination

Trimming damaged leaves

weighing and packaging

Shipping

Growing germinated seedings in light

Harvesting/removing roots

Labeling backs

cooling

AGRICULTURAL”

“Closed-loop agricultural” ecosystems intend to mimic natural ecosystems that treat waste as a resource. Similar to aquaponics, the waste of one part of the system becomes the nutrients for the other. The closed-loop system recycles and reuses nearly every element of the farming process—dirty water, sewage, and nutrients. Food waste can also be converted to compost. In a closed-loop system, everything remains in the system, leading to a zero-waste outcome.

ANAEROBIC

1st transplanting

2nd transplanting

Packaging

Labeling boxes

A typical flow of operations in the plant production process focusing on the movements of plants.

COMPONENTS OF A VERTICAL FARM

Vertical Farms can be very diverse, both structurally and technologically. Some farms rely solely on artificial lighting for plant growth, whereas others grow plants vertically, still utilizing some of the sun’s light. Also, plants can either be grown in soil (potted) or using hydroponic methods, which are much more common. Usually, a commercial Vertical Farm relies on an artificial, warehouse-like structure, thermally insulated, in which ventilation is kept at a minimum, and artificial light is used as the sole light source for plant growth [9]. In such Vertical Farms, the environment for plant growth can be controlled as precisely as desired, regardless of the outside weather. In addition to the recirculating nutrient solution in a hydroponic or aeroponic system, the water transpired by plants can be condensed and collected at the cooling panel of the air conditioners and then recycled for irrigation.

DIGESTER

“Closed-loop agricultural” ecosystems intend to mimic natural ecosystems that treat waste as a resource. Similar to aquaponics, the waste of one part of the system becomes the nutrients for the other. The closed-loop system recycles and reuses nearly every element of the farming process—dirty water, sewage, and nutrients. Food waste can also be converted to compost. In a closed-loop system, everything remains in the system, leading to a zero-waste outcome.

structure and growing system

NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)

DEEP FLOW TECHNIQUE (DFT)

In the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), a thin film of water continuously flows through the pipe/gutter, so it is always in contact with the roots. This ensures constant availability of nutrients to the plants. NFT also supplies ample oxygen to the plants, since the roots are exposed above the thin film.

This system requires the nutrient solution to be continuously in circulation, which results in no stagnant water in any point of the system.

Deep Flow Technique (or Deep Water Culture), as opposed to NFT, always has some amount of nutrient solution at some depth. More nutrient is periodically pumped in and through the overflow pipe and the excess nutrient solution goes back to the reservoir and is recycled.

Even when there is a power outage, or other problem preventing the pump operating properly, there is always some water to keep the plants alive. This system allows more control over water temperature when compared to N F T .

ECOSYSTEMS

Environmental control units

Air conditioning

Vertical farm components

Nutrient supply & control

CO2 supply unit

Lighting

VERTICAL FARMING SPATIAL DESIGN

Schematic diagrams of DFT (left) and NFT (right) hydroponic systems

Source : GROWING POWER VERTICAL FARM - Building Systems Integration Structural Systems

Components of vertical farming

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

PLANTS SUITED AND UNSUITED TO PFALS

Plants suited to PFALs for commercial production have the following characteristics: (1) short in height (about 30 cm or less) to be adapted to multiple cultivation racks with a vertical distance between the culture beds of 40–50 cm; (2) fast growing (harvestable 10–30 days after transplanting); (3) growing well under low light intensity and at high planting density; (4) high-value product if fresh, clean, tasty, nutritious, and pesticide-free; (5) the product value can be effectively improved by environmental control; (6) about 85% in fresh weight of the plant can be sold as produce (e.g., root weight ratio of leaf lettuce should be lower than 10–15%) (7) any kind of transplant Plants suited to greenhouses using sunlight rather than PFALs for improved quality and yield include: (1) fruit-vegetables such as tomatoes, green peppers, and cucumbers that contain large amounts of functional components;(2) berries such as strawberries and blueberries; (3) high-end flowers such as Phalaenopsis, dwarf loquats; (4) mangoes and grapes, etc. for growing in containers with trickle irrigation; and (5) nonwoody or annual medicinal plants such as Angelica, medicinal dwarf Dendrobium, Plants that are not suitable to PFAL production are staple crops used primarily as a source of calories (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) for people and livestock, such as rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes, plants such as sugarcane and rapeseed used primarily as a fuel (energy) source, larger fruit trees, and trees used for timber such as cedar and pine, and others including daikon, burdock, and lotus.

These plants require large areas for growth and have a harvest cycle of several months to ten or more years, but they have a low ratio of value (price) to mass.

Lolla Rosa lettuce

Broccoli Crop

Bell pepper

Oregano

Capsicum

Strawberry

Romaine lettuce

Spinach

Shoot zone height (m)

Root zone height (m)

Fresh edible biomass Fresh inedible biomass (g/sqm-day) (g/sqm-day)

Lettuce

0.25

0.15

131.25

7.30

Cabbage

0.35

0.15

75.78

6.74

Spinach

0.25

0.15

72.97

7.30

Carrots

0.25

0.30

74.83

59.87

Radish

0.20

0.30

91.67

55.00

Tomatoes

0.40

0.20

173.76

127.43

Peppers

0.40

0.20

148.94

127.43

Potatoes

0.65

0.40

105.30

90.25

Peas

0.50

0.20

12.20

161.00

Strawberry

0.25

0.15

77.88

144.46

Plants suitable for vertical farming

Iceberg lettuce

Arungla

Basil

Coriander

Cucumber

Mint

Tomatoes

Crop

Soil system (lb)

Hydroponics system (lb)

Potatoes

16,000

1,40,000

Lettuce

9,000

21,000

Comparative yields per acre crop

Tomatoes

10,000-20,000

1,20,000-6,00,000

Cucumbers

7,000

28,000

2-4 HOURS lettuce spinach radish carrots

4-6 HOURS

broccoli cabbage cauliower kale brussel sprouts basil mint

6 + HOURS eggplant corn tomato beans peas squash melon potatoes cucumbers herbs chives bell pepper

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

TYPICAL PRODUCTION ROOM

ANAEROBIC DIGESTER

An anaerobic digester is a biogas recovery system that converts food waste into biogas to produce power and heat.At the heart of the system is an anaerobic digester that turns organic materials into biogas, which is piped into turbine generator to make electricity for plant grow light. Waste from the fish feeds the plants and the plants clean the water for the fish. Sludge from the digester that becomes algae duckweed also feeds the fish.

Along electricity, the turbine makes steam which is piped to the commercial kitchen and the entire building for heating and cooling.

Waste products

Biomass gasifier

food waste

Production of ‘producer’s gas’

possible output

H2 High pressure steam

Steam turbine CO CH4

combustible waste

Tri generation plant office waste

Biogas cogeneration plant

HEAT agricultural waste

By products of combustion

WATER PURIFICATION

waste ash to be reused as farm fertiliser

LIGHT SOURCE AND LIGHTING SYSTEM DESIGN

Only 37 % of the energy in sunlight is within the wave length (colour) useful for photosynthesis, while 62 % is infrared (Thermal energy) and the remaining 0.6 % is ultraviolet.

Photosynthesis in the plan t leaf is powered by 1% of the sunlight that falls on the plant, 10 % of the sunlight is elected and 10 % passes through the leaf. The leaf will retain 80% which is used for transportation. Some of the light is re-radiated, while the fraction that remains is used for building food from the, minerals and water.

• WHITE COLOUR It is actually a combination of all colours of light Red + Green +Blue (and all colours in between) • BLUE LIGHT Photosynthesis occurs, tips grow toward light, hormones trigger growth, and dormancy is inhibited. Metal Halide lamps are high in blue light making them good for leafy plants.

• GREEN LIGHT Most of this colour light is reflected, that is why plants appear green, and however some green light is required for growth. Most HID lamps do not emit much green light.

• RED LIGHT Photosynthesis occurs, seed germination aided, pigments formed, flowering aided, dormancy included. High pressure sodium bulbs emit red light and are generally better for flowering and fruiting plants.

• FAR-RED LIGHT Speed up some full sun plants, reverses some red light effects. HID lighting usually doesn't emit far-red except in the case of some High and low pressure sodium bulbs, more so in the form of heart rather than photosynthetic light.

FOUR CHLOROPHYLL ABSORPTION PEAKS

There are four chlorophyll absorption peaks and led grow lights use four different types of LEDs to hit all four peaks (two red and two blue). Early LED grow lamps used hundreds of 1 or 2 watt and were not effective replacements for hid lamps.

Newer advanced LED grow lamps use automotive grade 6 watt LEDs and have

LIGHT SYSTEM NATURAL LIGHTING SYSTEM A network of reflectors on every floor to utilize maximum sunlight during day time and also can be used for light during night by using led. Network of side reflector consist of reflecting panels placed around periphery ofthe building. At the ceiling of each floor a network of concave shaped reflectors are arranged so as to reflect the rays received by the side reflectors to the plants.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING SYSTEM

Incandascent grow lights Incandescent grow lights have a red-yellowish tone and low color temperature (approx.

2700 k). They are used to highlight indoor plant groupings and not as a true plant growing' light. Incandescent growing lamps have an average life span of 750 hours.

Fluorescent tube lghts These are available in either cool white colours (producing light in the blue range) or warm white colours (producing more light in the red range). Ideally, use one "cool" bulb and one "warm' bulb to provide the most natural spectrum of light. The fluorescent tubes are usually rated to last up to 4 years but lose 85% of their intensity before they bum out. For plants that require a maximum amount of light intensity, replace bulbs about 70 percent of the way through their rated life.

LED Fixture LED light has been used as the source of artificial light, originally modified to emit light with a wavelength that are suitable for plant.

LEDs also provide the opportunity to adjust the ratio of red (R) and far-red (FR) light for desired plant responses, which can promote stem elongation in many plant species. Blue LED light can help to shorten the plant height, which can facilitate transport when needed. LEDs are low in radiant heat and can therefore be placed near the growing plant, thus more suitable for vertical farms with narrow height shelves.

Source : Kozai, Toyoki_ Niu, Genhua_ Takagaki, Michiko - Plant factory _ an indoor vertical farming system for efficient quality food production (2016, Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier) Mechanical systems in vertical farming

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

Aeroponics Aeroponics The principle of aeroponics is to grow plants suspended in a closed or semi-closed environment by spraying the plant's dangling roots and lower stem with an atomized or sprayed, nutrient-rich water solution. The leaves and crown, extend above. The roots of the plant are separated by the plant sup-port structure.

Often, closed-cell foam is compressed around the lower stem and inserted into an opening in the aeroponic chamber, which decreases labor and expense; for lamer plants, trel-lisinc is used to suspend the weight of vegetation and fruit.

Trellis The A-frame 'trellis" design was the 11 rst commercially successful hy-droponic system to exhibit a vertical orientation.

Varieties of this design consist of pipes configured either vertically or horizontally to form a triangular extrusion of its footprint, thus Increasing the available growing surface without meaningfully reducing sunlight access.

1 he primary advantage of the A-frame design is its simplicity, as it achieves a high degree of space effi dewy while utilizing technology that has been standard In the hydroponic industry for decades.

Cocoponics Dry coconut strands are very rich in nutrients. Cocoponics is a simple methodology of growing plants in coir. The plant seeds are embedded into the a pot of full of coir and is water everyday for its growth,

IKEA Innovation spherical garden Developed by the IKEA innovation lab Space10 along-side architects sine lindholm and mads-ulrik husum, the spherical "Growroom" is a DIY garden structure intended to help people "grow their own food much more locally in a beautiful and sustainable way."

Designed for communities to affordably start their own urban gardens, the Growroom takes up only 2.8 x 2.5 meters of space, using a spherical shape that allows plants to receive ample light within a vertical setup.

It is designed to support our everyday sense of well being in the cities by creating a small oasis or 'pause'-architecture in

Anaerobic Digestor Anaerobic digestion is a collection of processes by which microorgan-isms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.The process is used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste or to produce power. Its a closed loop system in terms of vertical farming. (as shown in the diagram) Incorporating modern waste management strategies into the vertical farm model works without the need for new technologies to come to the rescue. It must be emphasised that urbansustainability will be only realised through the valuing of waste as a commodity.

Aquaponics Aquaponics Aquaponics refers to any system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrifying bacteria initially into nitrites and subsequent-ly into nitrates, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients, and the water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system.

Hydroponics Hydroponics Hydroponics is a subset of hydro culture, the method of grow-ing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel.

The nutrients in hydroponics can be from fish waste, duck manure, or normal nutrie n t s .

Stacked beds The design is merely a stacking of the standard in-line pipe beds that continue to be the system of choice for commercial hydroponic farms. Much like the ramification of stratifying floors in a vertical farm, the de-sign's stacked configuration doesn't allow sunlight to penetrate each layer, making artificial lighting a necessity.

The best commercial example of the stacked bed approach is the de-sign used

by TerraSphere Systems, which has implemented systems with five tiers of growing surface within a 3 metre fl oor to ceiling height.

Stacked drums Though it is the least common commercial hydroponic system listed here, the drum design likely offers the most promise for the future of indoor agriculture.

It consists of growing plants within the interior of a drum structure positioned around a central artificial light source, resulting in extraordinarily low space and energy use per unit of production.

Today the most popular variant is produced by Omega Garden'" of Victoria, B.C., which features a mechanism that rotates the drum through a tray containing the nutrient solution.

Water system 1. rain water collection 2. cistern 3. purification filter 4. potable water 5. grey / black water 6. on site wastewater treatment 7. output water to wetland system 8. rain water for urban farm 9. on-site infiltration 10. nutrient supply for growing systems 11. hydroponic, aeroponic growing facility

References : A Review of Vertical Farming Technology: A Guide for Implementation of Building Integrated Agriculture in Cities

Source : https://issuu.com/kallolshah/docs/kallol_shah_vertigrow

UP,Techniques UP ofAND AWAY! THE ECONOMICS OF VERTICAL FARMING Vertical farming AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

EV panels for solar energy collection

Vertical convenyance for crops

geothermal heat pumps infrastructure mechanical lab

seed storage

electric generator

temp

Growing floors

light

Nursery for selection and germination of seeds

nutrient solutions

climate control monitoring center

air lock

dehumidificahumidity tion

quality control lab

restaurant

lobby

Production spaces

rainwater collection

locker rooms

break rooms

loading area for receiving and distribution

cafe

bathrooms

offices for management

harvesting

waste water treatment

anaerobic digesters for organic matter

Food / Farmer’s market

Distribution spaces/ retail

Eco education/exhibition center

Community garden for traditional crops

Education/ System exhibition monitoring center

Workforce/- Infrastruccontrol ture/technolrooms ogy Integration

5 PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER IN A VERTICAL FARM

PLACEMENT Choice of placement determines the level of proximity to plants.

SIZE The maximum height of the plant will affect the size of the planter.

SCALE Intensity of production will likely determine how extensive the planting provision will be.

SPECIES Type of plant may require more environmental control and affect how much exposure it will receive.

Design Program

PURPOSE Production purpose will determine the auxiliary needs.

STAKEHOLDERS Customers. Suppliers.

Beneficiaries.

Staff.

Competitors.

SERVICES Delivery routes and subsidiary services provided or supplied need to be considered SUPPLIES Necessary stock and equipment for purpose of production

INTEGRATION Level of Integration will determined the flexibility and robustness of the system.

MODULAR Suitable for retrofitting and upgrading but limited by module and connection.

INTEGRATED Robust and durable system but likely to require costly upgrades and inflexible.

HYBRID Benefits of both systems but may not be as flexible and require custom maintenance.

MEDIUM Soil based, water based. air based.

SOIL Soil control measures required Prone to bacterial infection.

SLURRY Water tight features and water management on top of normal irrigation.

SUSPENDED Hanging infrastructure required with custom irrigation.

SCALE Business development and growth needs to be factored in.

PHYSICAL New facilities are necessary to manage. handle and certify the food produced.

FINANCING New opportunities for business investors will kick-start the urban agribusiness..

CONSULTANTS Intermediary consultants can bring the different parties together.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

Babool Kalkaji Metro Station

Okhla Railway Station

Pipal

Kaner

Eucalyptus

Neem

Banyan

Okhla Railway Station

N

N

Vehicular Pedestrian

Pedestrian and Vehicular flow

There has been a total of 4 Entrance/Exit gates on the site. 1 is officially used for Entry and there is APMC office where they check everything. The exit is from other 3 sites out of that only 2 are majorly used. There aren’t any parking facility within the site.

N

Site has more concrete character than natural. There isn’t much vegetation on site and most of the site is paved with concrete road.

N

Sunpath and wind direction

In summer there is sunlight on the site from 7 Am untill 7 PM and in winters from 9 AM to 5.30 PM. Though the site gets wind from all 4 sides but major part of wind is coming from west side.

N

Footfall on the site

It is one of the most crowded mandi in Delhi. Thousands of customers used to come here to buy fresh vegetables. Okhla mandi works throughout the day from auctions starting around 2am everyday to selling vegetables until night. Lot of muslim population come to okhla mandi for non-veg consumption.

N

Drainage and Electric lines

Natural slope on the site is towards North-East having a level drop of around 1 m. However due to poor infrastructure there is blockage of water on the site resulting in filthy smell. Electric lines runs along North-East part of the site.

Site Analysis

Vegetation on the site

Site for the project

There are some existing buildings on the site but they are not suited to current requirements . I will be retaining APMC office, Existing toilets, Substation.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

Site connectivity 1. Lotus Temple 2. NSIC Okhla 3. Kalkaji Metro Station 4. Nehru Place Metro station 5. Sukhdev Vihar Metro Station 6. Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya 7. NSIC Estate 8. Okhla Industrial Area 9. Sarai Jullena Village 10. ISKCON Temple Delhi 11. Amrit Puri 12. East of Kailash 13. Sri Niwaspuri 14. Sri Niwaspuri Extension 15. Friends colony

13 15

12

14 6

5

S W O T

11

10

9

2

1

8

4 7

3

Site and its neighbourhood

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

Accessible from the main road Prime location and urban level connect Catering to large number of poulation(Economic viability) Deals with very soul of Indian economy

High traffic density Improper drainage Improper ventillation Roadside encroachments No parking facility Poor waste management/too much trash on the site Existing built structures does not evolve with new requirements

Great project to serve local residents Farming within the city City needs a revolution in farming A step towards saving water Creating strong ecological environment(reducing urban heat island) Food can be seen as a tourism element Integration of Food+culture+society

Lack of awareness about vertical farming within the Indian population Dealing with the unskilled labour Government policies

Okhla Mandi work flow analysis The vehicles enter the mandis with the permission of the APMC and weight of each vehicle is checked Once the vehicles are checked, the vehicles then go their respective commission agents Now the commission agents come together for the auction process at 2AM in the morning. Here each product is auctioned depending on the quality of the product .

There are two ways in which a product is brought inside the Mandi 1) Jute bags 2) Karats The commission agent just acts as a mediator between the farmers and the retailers, once the retailer buys the product he/she has to pay a commission of 6% to the commission agents. Agents in turn pay 1% to APMC.

Site and its neighbourhood

Persisting Problems Unhygienic conditions Waste from rotten vegetables has not been cleared up regularly Traffic Congestion and Parking lots issues.

Disability Infrastructure No Provisions of Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic – Secondary Roads in Okhla mandi are chaotic and congested at peak hours due to the departure time of SMV’s for supplying of goods as there are no segregated lanes for pedestrian/SMV’s, cyclist.

Encroachment- Due to unsignalized junction for SMV’s and the row is mostly encroached upon by on-street parking and encroachments by shops.

Absence of hawker zone or street vendors place will lead to massive congestion in the Mandis at peak hours

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

I call it intelligent living tower where the core of building is vertical farm resembles the function of brain in human body. It is connected using conveyer belts whose wheels represent shops which drives the economy of the farm and the spine of the brain is connected to the city where it is delivering the healthy vegetable in every corner. This way we are rethinking by integrating food + culture + economy. We are minimazing the food travel distance saving energy cost.

The design of the proposed building aims to provide the platform for research, education and implementation that is essential for the development of resilient urban agriculture. Reintroduction of urban food networks offer unique spatial, social and environmental opportunities for architects. These opportunities will be explored throughout the dissertation to inform a design intervention capable of evolving with the state-of-the-art of agritecture.

FORM MIMICS NATURE Form follows function, and building function can be derived from natural processes. Industrial ecology mimics natural processes within the food production system. For the purpose of this dissertation, it can be derived that form should follow the food production system. People, food and architecture can coexist as a living machine. It should be noted that pure scientific application of natural principles will not spontaneously result in good architecture. Other design principles, as explored through this thesis, will also be incorporated to produce a balanced design outcome.

Design concept

• A building should be integrated with its site.

• A building should reflect natural simplicity and unity through form and composition that result from a holistic integration of material, structure, and purpose.

• Materials should be selected according to and reflect structural and aesthetic function.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

EV panels for solar energy collection

Vertical convenyance for crops

geothermal heat pumps infrastructure mechanical lab

seed storage

electric generator

temp

Growing floors

light

Nursery for selection and germination of seeds

nutrient solutions

climate control monitoring center

air lock

dehumidificahumidity tion

quality control lab offices for management

rainwater collection

locker rooms

break rooms

loading area for receiving and distribution

restaurant

Eco education/exhibition center

lobby

Production spaces

waste water treatment

bathrooms

harvesting

cafe

anaerobic digesters for organic matter

Food / Farmer’s market

Community garden for traditional crops

Distribution spaces/ retail

Education/ System exhibition monitoring center

Workforce/- Infrastructure/techcontrol nology Integration rooms Public toilets

Reception office

Shops(open) Waiting Hall

Reception Entrance lobby

Security

Entrance

Entrance

Toilets

Private Offices

Service entrance

Accounts section

Administration

Managers room Service core

Storage

Auction halls

Core

Cafes Rear Entrance

Shop owner’s toilet

Shops (built)

Office

Loading/unloading

Cold storage

Receiving Area

Godown Vendor’s offices

Restaurants

Pantry

Core

Loading/ Unloading

Maintain ence room Service core

Packaging

Conference room

Recycling room

Operation Core

Locker rooms Service core

Shipping products room

Air management/thermal Changing storage room Hot NDS Room air/water shower

Office

Production room

Storage

Meeting room

Airlock Seed germination room

Cultivation rooms

Workshop Exhibition

Seminar room

Core

Training centre

Core Nursery

Library

Spatial Proximity

Open terraces

Service Core

Quality control labs

Guest rooms Core

Lab of residue Vegetation management

Terrace farming

Hydroponic research labs

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016

Service corridor for disposal of garbage & movement of goods, facility core for parking & shops for

Segregation of different activities

Physical planning Closed loop water management system and solar power standby system

Visual connectivity to public realm

Not to disturb regional traffic system, separate roads for heavy and light vehicles Waste management system

Create healthy living public spaces

Storage & auction halls

Water collection / solar panels

Production areas

Production areas

Private

Production areas

Offices/conferences/labs

Terrace farming

Terrace farming

Vendor’s offices

Sabji mandi

Sabji mandi/ground farming

Semi public

Exhibitions/Nursery/workshop

Restaurants/cafes

Public

Administration

Shops

Sabji mandi

Civic Plaza

Parking

Site Zoning

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN URBAN METROPOLIS OF DELHI

B.Arch Thesis 2019-20 Nirbhay Singh 15110016