Urban Farming of the Future: A Data Driven Model

What form would an urban farm of the future take if it was based on a platform of rigorous data?

Introducing URBAN F.@.M.I.N (Urban farming and media interactive networks).

Jack O'Reilly's URBAN F.@.M.I.N Model

University of Manchester Architecture student Jack O’Reilly has developed an urban farming model that provides sustainable solutions to urban problems through data driven design processes and integrated computational design methodologies. The project fuses elements as disparate as industrial farming production and media outputs, demonstrating how the information age and climate change presents an opportunity to evolve traditionally accepted modes of urban living.

In the model vegetables and fruit are grown hydroponically using water from a canal, which in turn serves as a primary transport route. The crop produced is sold back to Manchester reducing the city’s reliance on food imports and generates an income to sustain the project. The crop is also used in an on-site restaurant, which in turn promotes urban farming to the end consumer.

O’Reilly’s model presupposes that sustainability can be improved by the production of food in urban spaces–sourcing local foods and selling the produce of local farmers. And in an information age, the marketing message is key to the overall success of the project. To reach the widest possible audience a TV studio is integrated into the project which produces programs based around evolving food cultures and sustainability. The education component of the model also extends to an exhibition space with a ‘hands on learning experience’ allowing people of all ages to learn about possible new technologies for the ‘future city’ before seeing them in use on either the farm or TV studio.

Hat tip to City Farmer.

No related posts.

Comments RSS You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.