How Can Urban Agriculture Redesign Cities?

In an urban landscape, it can be challenging to find enough green space to become one with Mother Earth.

While currently 58% of the world's population lives in cities, according to UN estimates, this rate will exceed 80% by 2050.

Rooftop gardens, vertical farms, workers' gardens from the last century or even agricultural bunkers, urban farming is everywhere, but how can it be defined? The aim of urban agriculture is to create a city-oriented agriculture. It uses its resources, its waste and an urban workforce.

The goals of urban agriculture through 3 examples:

1. Making the city more sustainable

Urban agriculture projects are primarily aimed at reducing transport distances for agricultural products and producing high-quality food.

In addition to participating in the development of short distribution channels, this rooftop garden is an ecosystem in itself through collection, recycling and ecosystem management. Urban waste produces a compost that is used to help grow crops, while worms, insects and fungi help maintain and nourish the soil and biodiversity.

This space also produces a heat barrier.

2. Making the city self-sufficient

One of the idyllic goals of urban agriculture is to make the city self-sufficient.

The first limitation of this objective is the lack of space, as agriculture takes up space and cities are not full of fields... The notion of "vertical farming" is then brought into question. As the name suggests, vertical farming allows for the creation of an agricultural space along the vertical side of a building. This type of agriculture would give the fight against poverty its proper place in the economic development of the city.

3. Social interaction, education, and leisure

The last objective is to raise awareness through urban structures for children and students in order to create a space for social interaction and recreation.  

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