Urban farming: Feeding Brussels from supermarket rooftops

Euractiv
29 Nov 202205:08

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

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Étiquettes Connexes
Urban FarmingAgroecologySustainabilityCommunity ProjectBrusselsLocal FoodSocial ImpactAgricultureSustainable DevelopmentFood Innovation
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