Wageningen University & Research is organising an innovation competition aimed at the development of 'urban greenhouses', or small urban farms. The university is still looking for partners to contribute their expertise.
Food supply
The organisers of the student competition do not expect urban agriculture to ultimately be the solution to the global food problem but they say it can contribute to the food supply in big cities. "In addition, it is good for the liveability and social cohesion in a city and can be an incentive for people to eat healthier," said Rio Pals, coordinator of the Student Challenge. "We want to contribute to healthy and sustainable cities by taking urban agriculture to the next level. We do this by feeding parties who see prospects in urban agriculture with innovations and new concepts."
The aim of the competition is for participating university and college students to design a greenhouse or vertical farm that can professionally produce food in an urban environment. The urban greenhouses should also encourage residents to engage in sustainable production and a healthier diet.
Pals: 'The ideas should be as circular as possible in terms of water, energy, CO2, nutrient use and with low 'food miles'. We also find it important that the greenhouse and its production systems make a real social contribution to the neighbourhood. Finally, students must provide a well-founded business case. We want innovative entries that are technically, socially and economically feasible.'
Contribution
To make the challenge a success, Pals is still looking for partners who can contribute to the development of urban agriculture from different areas of expertise: 'We are talking to municipalities that see an opportunity in the challenge to boost urban agriculture in their own city. We are also keen to connect with private parties who see opportunities, such as energy companies, greenhouse and horticultural companies and logistics partners. And finally, we would like to engage with non-profit organisations that can help with the social or environmental embedding of urban agriculture. Any contribution is welcome, from sponsorship to the provision of knowledge and expertise. In return, they receive inspiring, feasible concepts and innovations for urban agriculture. Moreover, they come into contact with ambitious, talented students who will soon enter the labour market.'
Student teams can apply in October 2017. A digital platform will soon go online where they can make contacts and form interdisciplinary teams. Later in the year, Wageningen University & Research will organise a matchmaking event for students and partners of the challenge. Team presentations are scheduled at the end of August 2018 and the jury will choose the winning idea. The grand prize? Pals: 'I'm not allowed to say much about it yet, but our aim is that the winning idea will actually get there.'
Vertical farms are popping up in more and more cities, including The Hague. Urban Farmers put an urban farm there on the roof of a tall and large building. It is the tallest in Europe. Besides vegetables, fish are grown there, among other things. In this video, made by CNN, the representative for Urban Farmers Benelux tells more about it:
By: Kelly Bakker
Source: WUR.nl
