China: Sunqiao Urban Agricultural District
A new model for urban farming for the world’s largest agricultural producer and consumer: China
From sasaki.com
2020
Excerpt:
Shanghai is the ideal context for vertical farming. Like many global cities, land prices are high, which makes building up (rather than out) the economically prudent choice. Given that 56% of vegetables consumed in the Shanghainese diet consist of leafy greens—like spinach, kale, bok choi, watercress, and others—vertical farming is ripe with possibilities in this area of China. Leafy greens thrive in the simplest of setups and don’t need a lot of extra attention, so they are an excellent choice for hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems. They grow quickly and weigh little, both of which make them an economical and efficient option.
After 20 years of successful agricultural production, the city is expanding the role of Sunqiao in its food web, repositioning it as an innovative new district focused on creating forward-looking platforms for advanced agricultural research, start-ups, and exhibition
Integration water treatment system
Modern greenhouse
The new urban canal walk
While one goal is to position Shanghai as a leader in urban food production, Sunqiao incorporates more than just the creation of vertical food factories. Providing a robust public realm that merges indoor and outdoor agricultural experiences, the Sunqiao experiment presents a new idea for urban life by celebrating food production as one of the most important functions of a city. Sunqiao not only addresses Shanghai’s increasing demand for locally-sourced food, but also educates generations of urban children about where their food comes from. As cities continue to expand, we must continue to challenge the dichotomy between what is urban and what is rural.
