Using Architecture to Design an Urban Farming Garden
Urban farming architecture is a term that has been made popular in recent years. Urban farming refers to the use of urban farming architecture and landscape architecture in urban areas. This concept encompasses various types of practices such as hydroponics gardening, aquaponics, fruit cultivation and others. Some of the urban farming architecture projects include; urban farming rooftop architecture, urban farming urbanism and urban farming urban gardens. These projects aim to improve the urban farming landscape architecture and urban farming architecture concepts through innovation and technology.
Concepts
One of the urban farming concepts focuses on the implementation of aquaponics. This is a form of aquaculture that mainly uses fish farms to provide natural sources of food. The farm harvests the fish from within the urban farming landscapes and then it is used for human consumption. Another urban farming architecture project aims at implementing aquaponics inside urban farming zones.
Hydroponic gardening is another urban farming landscape concept that is used to grow plants at lower levels than what is done traditionally by conventional farmers. The principle behind this type of urban farming architecture is to grow plants at specific temperatures and to regulate the growth process through artificial intelligence. The garden can be designed in an almost infinite variety depending on how the urban farming landscape would look like. The yield from urban farming gardens can be much higher than what would be achieved through conventional agricultural practices due to the nature of the growing mediums.
Another popular concept is called aquaponics. This is a form of aquaculture where the farmers combine fish farming with that of vegetable growing. This concept is very similar to hydroponics but there are key differences. Both concepts however have been incorporated into urban farming landscapes.
One urban farming landscape concept is known as food walls. The idea behind these structures is to create long term urban farming underneath urbanized buildings. The structure becomes watertight when full. Since the purpose of the structure is to provide food, this will require access to freshwater for the plants. One way of accomplishing this is by building a tunnel system to link the pond with the urban farming zone.
Construction
Some urban farming gardens are constructed entirely of concrete. This will serve to make the gardening site more weatherproof. This will also discourage animals from wandering into urban farming areas. Some urban farming architects will even incorporate the use of fences and walls to surround the urban farming gardens to protect them from unwanted visitors.
Rooftop Gardening
Another idea for urban farming landscapes is rooftop gardening. This idea is usually related to urban farming gardens which are located on rooftops. Roofs can serve as excellent platforms for urban farming. With urban farming architecture in place, animals can be contained within the urban farming landscapes on the roofs. It will shelter them and also protection from the elements.
With urban farming architecture in place, animals can have access to urban farming gardens via a variety of means. Depending on what urban farming structures are present, an animal could simply be pushed over the edge of the structure or it could be forced to move through the structure via an opening in the top floor. The opening could be made large enough for an animal to walk through. If the opening is small, the animal could simply go through the opening. Either way, urban farming architecture provides an excellent way to provide a sustainable solution for providing food in urban areas.
Other ideas for urban farming architecture include balconies and porches. Having access to urban farming architecture allows urban farming owners to have an open space for themselves where they can grow produce and raise animals. Having access to urban farming structures allows urban farming architects to design spaces that are suited for specific animal activities. In urban farming architecture, the animals can be permitted to roam freely so long as they do not damage the urban farming landscape.
Space Concerns
In urban farming, the plants and crops must be kept contained. This is because the space that is provided for urban farming is very limited. Having this space in urban farming architecture allows the urban farming owner to select only the best plants and crops for their urban farming garden. They can then easily monitor the growth of these plants and crops to ensure that they are still thriving even in their limited environment. Controlling the environment also helps farmers know the proper times to plant and harvest their crops. They can plant their crops at a particular time when the soil is most fertile and thus ensure that they can get good yields every year.
Another aspect of urban farming architecture is using the right type of architecture to make the farm as functional as possible. The structure of the urban farm should take full advantage of the space and be aesthetically pleasing to look at. Using the right type of architecture on an urban farming architecture farm helps it blend into the urban landscape better and become part of the urban landscape instead of becoming an unwanted protrusion on the landscape. Another important aspect of urban farming architecture is that farmers should be allowed to construct houses, sheds, tables, and other farm structures that are required by the farm. This helps the urban farming garden to remain a complete and self-sustaining organic farm which is why urban farming architecture is very important for an urban farming enterprise.
