Urban farming: Feeding Brussels from supermarket rooftops

Summary

This video introduces a collaborative urban agriculture project in Brussels involving the Ixelles municipality, the Agroecology Lab at the Free University of Brussels, and Ripple, a social enterprise. The project focuses on sustainable food production and agroecology, utilizing a rooftop farm where rainwater is collected and used efficiently. Crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons are grown alongside herbs and flowers, creating a biodiverse ecosystem. The project also offers training programs in sustainable agriculture and food processing, with produce used in a nearby restaurant, self-harvest subscriptions, and support for the local community.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Francisco works at the Agronomy Lab at the Free University of Brussels, collaborating on an urban agriculture research project.
• 🏘️ The project is a partnership with Ixelles municipality, the Agronomy Lab, and the social economy company Ripple.
• 💧 The project focuses on sustainable agriculture, including the collection and reuse of rainwater from rooftops.
• ⚖️ Challenges include balancing rooftop load capacity with the weight of compost and other amendments.
• 🍅 The experimental site grows a variety of crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, aromatic herbs, and flowers, creating a diverse ecosystem.
• 🐝 The plants attract pollinators like bees, which contribute to the biodiversity of the area.
• 👩‍🌾 The project started its first full production season in March and has seen significant improvements in both yields and community engagement.
• 🥗 Local residents can pick vegetables directly, and some participate in a subscription service for regular vegetable baskets.
• 👩‍🏫 Marie works on training interns in sustainable farming and composting, in partnership with Brussels Formation for a 12-month program.
• 🍽️ The harvested vegetables are used in a nearby restaurant, available for self-pickup subscriptions, or donated to CPAS if there are surpluses.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the project mentioned in the transcript?

The project focuses on urban agriculture and involves research on sustainable farming practices, with a particular emphasis on agroecology.

Which organizations are partnering in this urban agriculture project?

The partners in the project are the Commune of Ixelles, the agroecology laboratory at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and the social enterprise Ripple.

How does the project manage water usage?

All water falling on the roof is collected and redirected to a water recovery system, helping manage water supply and address technical challenges like nutrient management.

What kind of plants are being grown in the project?

The project grows a variety of plants, including tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, amaranths, aromatic herbs, and flowers that attract pollinators like bees.

What challenges does the project face with soil amendments?

One challenge is determining how much compost or other soil amendments can be added, considering the weight-bearing capacity of the rooftop.

How has the project impacted the local community?

The project has created connections with local residents who come to harvest vegetables weekly, fostering community interaction and involvement in urban agriculture.

What is the role of the Brussels Formation program in the project?

Brussels Formation provides a 12-month training program in sustainable food professions, including vegetable farming, composting, cooking, and food preservation.

Where are the harvested vegetables used?

The harvested vegetables are primarily used in a nearby restaurant, where the chef incorporates fresh produce into the menu. Additionally, some vegetables are picked by local subscribers, and any surplus is donated to the CPAS of Ixelles.

What is the purpose of the subscription model for vegetable harvesting?

The subscription model allows local residents to harvest fresh vegetables weekly, with options to choose either 5 or 8 vegetables depending on their subscription plan.

How does the project contribute to the local social impact?

The project aims to maximize its social impact by promoting a multifunctional, agroecological farming model and engaging the local community through training, vegetable harvesting, and food distribution.