NonA Weekly: FARMING FOR BIODIVERSITY

Image by @absolutelyx

Hi there!

Biodiversity is the immense variety we see in all life on earth. As living things adapt to their environment and evolve over time, more and more variation emerges.
Agriculture relies on natural processes and living things to create food, but often changes the environment around it. While farms can be managed in ways that minimize their damage to the environment around them, industrial agriculture’s focus on productivity means that too many farms are disruptive to wild species both near and far. When environments are too altered or polluted by industrialized agriculture, vulnerable species may lose their habitats and even go extinct, harming biodiversity.
Following the theme INTO THE WILD, this week we’ll focus on Agriculture & farming.

1. BIODIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURE

Industrial agriculture places consistency and productivity over BIODIVERSITY, but preserving the immense variety of life on earth is vital to the health of our planet and helps us safeguard our own food supply.

2. VERTICAL FARMING IN CITIES

Our CITIES need to become part of our agricultural system. In recent decades it has become increasingly clear that the way we live and eat is a big threat to our health and the health of our ecosystem.

3. A NEW LAYER OF PUBLIC SPACE

In increasingly denser urban environments, there is a new-found interest in underused spaces as opportunities for further development. Representing up to 25% of cities’ land area, rooftops are among the most exciting spatial resources. From sustainable infrastructure and urban farming to social spaces and cultural venues, this article from ARCHDAILY looks into the potential of creating a multi-layered city through the activation of urban rooftops.

4. WHAT IS AGRITECTURE?

By definition, agritecture is about applying architectural thinking when designing agriculture for the built environment. In practice, architects and urban farmers incorporate AGRICULTURE into the surrounding city environment in very different ways. Architects frequently design impossible vertical farming and urban agriculture concepts that ignore the realities of successful farming operations.

5. URBAN FARMING 

Food Production in Community Parks and Private Gardens – as urban dwellers become more aware of the environmental impacts of FOOD production and transportation, as well as the origin and security of what they consume, urban agriculture is bound to grow and attract public and political eyes.

6. GARDENING WILL SAVE THE WORLD 

IKEA and Tom Dixon explore urban farming. An experiment in urban farming to be exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Exploring the contrast of the hyper-natural and hyper-tech, the garden offers ideas in the alternative, local, and more sustainable ways of growing FOOD.

7. FLOATING URBAN FARMING TOWER FOR FUTURE CITIES 

Studio NAB has released details of their proposed SUPERFARM project, a six-story exercise in indoor urban farming that “focuses its production on the culture of foods with a high nutritional value.” The project is founded on the principles of pragmatic implementation, high-yielding foods, reducing health risks, promoting short circuits, reviving economies, energy self-sufficiency.

Stay creative and see you all next week!
Daniela