An evolution in greenhouse technology is suggested today, accompanying the creation of ‘vertical farms’ aiming to bring farms to the city. Proponents believe that food could be produced within urban limits using a fraction of the resources of traditional methods, thereby removing strains from the countryside. Heat and lighting would be powered by geothermal, tidal, solar, or other renewable energy sources and nitrogen and other nutrients retrieved from animal waste and perhaps even the city sewage system.The viability of such major green schemes is highly debated, being an extremely ambitious concept. Nevertheless urban farms are beginning to be accepted in plans for several cities, the biggest project being part of Dongtan Eco-city. A fundamental goal of Dongtan’s development is to grow enough food to replace lost productivity as farmland is urbanized in surrounding regions. Could this be manifested in ‘Urban Farming’ as the cost and harm caused by cheap transportation, water and need for space are limited?
Vogel, G., 2008. Upending the Traditional Farm. Science, 319, 752-753.
Source: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/319/5864/752
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