Soilless crop production is a viable way to promote vertical agriculture in urban areas, but it relies extensively on the use of mineral fertilizer. The benefits of fresher, local food and avoiding the transportation and packaging associated with food import could be counteracted by an increase in nutrient-rich wastewater, which could contribute to freshwater and marine eutrophication.
The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) bares the potential to create more than 750 km. of Green Corridors: urban strips with high presence of vegetation that cross the urban fabric and link the different areas of the city, used mainly by pedestrians and cyclists.
In this study, we show the effectiveness of cool roofs and vegetation in reducing temperature in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB). We use the Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model with the urban scheme BEP+BEM.
Last week children at Escola Mare de Déu de la Salut planted the first lettuces as part of a vertical farming school pilot project. Not only does the project provide education to the children but the vegetables will be consumed onsite in the school canteen.