Comments on: SKYSCRAPER FARMING: Farming reaches to the sky http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: CCFhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-142394 CCF Thu, 14 May 2009 01:45:12 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-142394 Oops, that last comment was meant to read "countless farming livelihoods in the DEVELOPING world". Oops, that last comment was meant to read “countless farming livelihoods in the DEVELOPING world”.

]]> By: CCFhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-142221 CCF Wed, 13 May 2009 07:10:59 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-142221 It's brilliantly innovative and sounds amazing but a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient use of the world's agricultural resources would mean that skyscraper farming isn't necessary. Factors that include (but not limited to) the export tariffs levied on the developing world, prohibitive fertiliser costs and interest rates, patented GMO seeds, cropping for biofuels, crippling foreign debt, mad dictatorships, as well as agricultural subsidies to farmers in the developed world, have led to ruination of countless farming livelihoods in the developed world and subsequent massive food shortage (and its vicious cycle of poverty). This has resulted in vast tracts of perfectly viable farmland left unworked, as well as harvest stockpiles left to spoil. While not discounting the effects of climate change, the current limitations are largely manmade, rather than that of the planet. Skyscraper farming by the developed world could just exacerbate the current problems of food shortages. www.worldhunger.org It’s brilliantly innovative and sounds amazing but a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient use of the world’s agricultural resources would mean that skyscraper farming isn’t necessary. Factors that include (but not limited to) the export tariffs levied on the developing world, prohibitive fertiliser costs and interest rates, patented GMO seeds, cropping for biofuels, crippling foreign debt, mad dictatorships, as well as agricultural subsidies to farmers in the developed world, have led to ruination of countless farming livelihoods in the developed world and subsequent massive food shortage (and its vicious cycle of poverty). This has resulted in vast tracts of perfectly viable farmland left unworked, as well as harvest stockpiles left to spoil. While not discounting the effects of climate change, the current limitations are largely manmade, rather than that of the planet. Skyscraper farming by the developed world could just exacerbate the current problems of food shortages. http://www.worldhunger.org

]]> By: Jesssssssehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-112079 Jessssssse Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:41:41 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-112079 I don't understand the suggestions that putting farming in a building would disrupt a natural order. Farming isn't natural; it's man-made, and it often depletes our environment as we perform it now. Surely making some fruits and vegetables more available to people who live in urban cores isn't going to lead to a dissolution of the ecosystem--it's the fact of more important pollution and resource plundering that will. I think some are unjustly projecting their general anxiety about the sustainability of a vast swath of our current consumption habits onto this promising idea. I don’t understand the suggestions that putting farming in a building would disrupt a natural order. Farming isn’t natural; it’s man-made, and it often depletes our environment as we perform it now. Surely making some fruits and vegetables more available to people who live in urban cores isn’t going to lead to a dissolution of the ecosystem–it’s the fact of more important pollution and resource plundering that will. I think some are unjustly projecting their general anxiety about the sustainability of a vast swath of our current consumption habits onto this promising idea.

]]> By: anthony Foohttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-81267 anthony Foo Tue, 13 May 2008 13:32:41 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-81267 Skyfarms are coming to be, the way we will do it is maby a little more low tech than the great vision of the farm tower and white coats stuff, but it is happening. the beutiful thing about the technology that is becomeing is its adaptability to refugee camps and war torn zones and environmentaly damaged areas unable to feed the existing populations. In not to distant future we will be able to go into any area and start producing with minimal water and have a constant flow of crops within 8 weeks....... Skyfarms are coming to be, the way we will do it is maby a little more low tech than the great vision of the farm tower and white coats stuff, but it is happening.
the beutiful thing about the technology that is becomeing is its adaptability to refugee camps and war torn zones and environmentaly damaged areas unable to feed the existing populations.
In not to distant future we will be able to go into any area and start producing with minimal water and have a constant flow of crops within 8 weeks…….

]]> By: ajshttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-72642 ajs Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:18:46 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-72642 Of course this sort of thing will take off, there is significant amounts of R&D money being spent on it already by governments in places like Singapore and China. The barriers people mention above - sunlight penetration and the weight of soil etc. etc. are not really relevant as hydroponic (plants grown only in nutrient rich water) and aeroponic (plants grown in nutrient rich mist) require neither sunlight nor soil. Together with computer controlled conditions and feeding, high-tech agricultural can yield surprisingly large amounts of crops, and in fact already does in the countries mentioned before. I think the point of this idea isn't to provide all of the food needed in the city, it's to reduce the amount of food that cities need to bring in from outside, and improve the quality and freshness for the consumer. Of course this sort of thing will take off, there is significant amounts of R&D money being spent on it already by governments in places like Singapore and China. The barriers people mention above – sunlight penetration and the weight of soil etc. etc. are not really relevant as hydroponic (plants grown only in nutrient rich water) and aeroponic (plants grown in nutrient rich mist) require neither sunlight nor soil. Together with computer controlled conditions and feeding, high-tech agricultural can yield surprisingly large amounts of crops, and in fact already does in the countries mentioned before.
I think the point of this idea isn’t to provide all of the food needed in the city, it’s to reduce the amount of food that cities need to bring in from outside, and improve the quality and freshness for the consumer.

]]> By: Craftyhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-69383 Crafty Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:06:24 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-69383 The economy and the price of water/oil will determine the cost of food and growing it. It may become too expensive to transport that food from the country to the city, and irrigating it in the drought hit areas may become unfeasible. Hydroponics is less water intensive, and growing in cities reduces cost of transport. Climate change is another factor to consider, so bringing the plants indoors may become a very attractive cost effective alternative to getting the city folk fed. Remember, indoor environments are spring all year long. The economy and the price of water/oil will determine the cost of food and growing it. It may become too expensive to transport that food from the country to the city, and irrigating it in the drought hit areas may become unfeasible. Hydroponics is less water intensive, and growing in cities reduces cost of transport. Climate change is another factor to consider, so bringing the plants indoors may become a very attractive cost effective alternative to getting the city folk fed. Remember, indoor environments are spring all year long.

]]> By: Alex Smithhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-66428 Alex Smith Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:19:07 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-66428 This concept, while not entirely feasible in an American city, would work excellently in ares where Urban growth and sprawl is a major problem, i.e Japan, Bejing, Mumbai ect... Especially with Japan who imports a great deal more than is exported.Another thing to consider, if land prices are a major concern, why would you build in the city center? Move the buildings to the surrounding hinterland to where they are still economically close enough and at a distance to where property value isn't a major concern.Great Idea! This concept, while not entirely feasible in an American city, would work excellently in ares where Urban growth and sprawl is a major problem, i.e Japan, Bejing, Mumbai ect… Especially with Japan who imports a great deal more than is exported.

Another thing to consider, if land prices are a major concern, why would you build in the city center? Move the buildings to the surrounding hinterland to where they are still economically close enough and at a distance to where property value isn’t a major concern.

Great Idea!

]]> By: Chris Jacobshttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-65744 Chris Jacobs Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:09:33 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-65744 Hey! Those are my buildings! The circular ones. Remember...this is just concept.....CONCEPT...all the buildings would house hydroponic systems....they would yield huge numbers. They wouldn't have trees...and soil...only hydroponics. And yes...this stuff is real...and this will happen. Hey! Those are my buildings! The circular ones. Remember…this is just concept…..CONCEPT…all the buildings would house hydroponic systems….they would yield huge numbers. They wouldn’t have trees…and soil…only hydroponics. And yes…this stuff is real…and this will happen.

]]> By: L-Dogextremehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-52141 L-Dogextreme Tue, 04 Sep 2007 01:13:49 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-52141 i think that vertical farming will take off, instead of having farms replace them with pentagonal sky farms that link in together and themn effectivly, they could turn 10 acres into 2hectares and that would produce alot more crops, and in the controlled enviroment water would be used with care, and there would be little or no evaporation i think that vertical farming will take off, instead of having farms replace them with pentagonal sky farms that link in together and themn effectivly, they could turn 10 acres into 2hectares and that would produce alot more crops, and in the controlled enviroment water would be used with care, and there would be little or no evaporation

]]> By: Hyrumhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-51080 Hyrum Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:05:12 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-51080 This is really cool. I wonder how long the price of farmland will need to be before this becomes economically practical. I imagine it will be a long time in the future. This is really cool. I wonder how long the price of farmland will need to be before this becomes economically practical. I imagine it will be a long time in the future.

]]> By: douwehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-50844 douwe Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:26:29 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-50844 See also the dutch pavilion on the 2000 expo in hannover. http://www.dutchpavilion.nl/ See also the dutch pavilion on the 2000 expo in hannover.
http://www.dutchpavilion.nl/

]]> By: Davidhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-50296 David Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:35:48 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-50296 This is a very interesting idea for mankind's next step in farming. Our old methods are proving to be very ineffective and costly. Not only does it take up valuable space but it also consumes tons of fuel. From fueling the machinery that seeds, waters, and harvests our crops to the fuel required for transporting the crops from the farms to the cities. That entire step is skipped and now local crops is feasible and even more environmentally friendly. If the water treatment and self sufficient energy capabilities can be implemented and to the full capacity that is implied in this article there would be no reason not to start building these in our largest cities.Are we looking at the biggest step in agriculture and environmental history? I think so and so should you. Only with public awareness and support will something like this ever take foot and lets hope it does soon and in high gear too. This is a very interesting idea for mankind’s next step in farming. Our old methods are proving to be very ineffective and costly. Not only does it take up valuable space but it also consumes tons of fuel. From fueling the machinery that seeds, waters, and harvests our crops to the fuel required for transporting the crops from the farms to the cities. That entire step is skipped and now local crops is feasible and even more environmentally friendly. If the water treatment and self sufficient energy capabilities can be implemented and to the full capacity that is implied in this article there would be no reason not to start building these in our largest cities.

Are we looking at the biggest step in agriculture and environmental history? I think so and so should you. Only with public awareness and support will something like this ever take foot and lets hope it does soon and in high gear too.

]]> By: Joxer The Mightyhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-49237 Joxer The Mighty Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:34:39 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-49237 I love sky scrapers, in fact i love big buildings in general. I really hope this becomes a reality soon because it will be a step forwards in human development. Farming in sky scrapers could also allow us to grow GM crops without the risk of contaminating the landscape and other farms. I think sky scraper farming would be a beautiful sight to behold too, just imagine a glowing glass sky scraper at night time with a green colour to it because of the vegetation inside. I love sky scrapers, in fact i love big buildings in general. I really hope this becomes a reality soon because it will be a step forwards in human development. Farming in sky scrapers could also allow us to grow GM crops without the risk of contaminating the landscape and other farms. I think sky scraper farming would be a beautiful sight to behold too, just imagine a glowing glass sky scraper at night time with a green colour to it because of the vegetation inside.

]]> By: Erik van Lennephttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-46403 Erik van Lennep Sat, 26 May 2007 11:15:26 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-46403 "....that frees up a hell of a lot of land somewhere for something else....." just a thought, but maybe that land could be rehabilitated as natural habitat? My vision of a rosier future would have interconnected settlement areas as synapses or ganglia within a larger matrix of wild lands. If we don't find a way to mend the fabric of biodiversity in which we are embedded, it could be a fairly dull, gray, hard, and rapid exit we make from here. “….that frees up a hell of a lot of land somewhere for something else…..” just a thought, but maybe that land could be rehabilitated as natural habitat? My vision of a rosier future would have interconnected settlement areas as synapses or ganglia within a larger matrix of wild lands. If we don’t find a way to mend the fabric of biodiversity in which we are embedded, it could be a fairly dull, gray, hard, and rapid exit we make from here.

]]> By: navehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/comment-page-1/#comment-45781 nave Tue, 15 May 2007 23:10:36 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming-farming-reaches-to-the-sky/#comment-45781 There is something that comes to mind, which I don't think the NYerM mentioned, has to do with Ethanol production. While critics justifiably have many problems with envisioning ethanol as an alternative energy, the crux of their critique has been that there simply isn't enough land to do it. If the scientist in the article is right and a hundred and fifty sky farm buildings just outside the city of NY could theoretically feed its populous, then that frees up a hell of a lot of land somewhere for something else. There is something that comes to mind, which I don’t think the NYerM mentioned, has to do with Ethanol production. While critics justifiably have many problems with envisioning ethanol as an alternative energy, the crux of their critique has been that there simply isn’t enough land to do it. If the scientist in the article is right and a hundred and fifty sky farm buildings just outside the city of NY could theoretically feed its populous, then that frees up a hell of a lot of land somewhere for something else.

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