Agriculture is the basis for modern civilization. It is what once enabled us to settle down into a singular location rather than living as nomads, and what ultimately allowed us to then build larger communities. For the past 12,000 years, it has sowed the seeds of advancement. Now that advancement has led us to urban farming. 

As a constant force throughout human history, agriculture itself has faced massive changes over the course of time, and will only continue to do so. From domesticating plants and animals to genetically modifying crops, humans have been environmental engineers for centuries. 

Despite this though, food insecurity is still a major threat to many. According to a 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) report on international food security and nutrition, about 29.6 percent of the global population – 2.4 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022, of which about 900 million (11.3 percent of people in the world) were severely food insecure. It is projected that almost 600 million people will be chronically undernourished in 2030.

This is not only an issue in rural areas. In fact, urban food deserts represent a critical issue in our cities, where access to affordable and healthy food is not just a convenience, but a necessity for a healthy life. 

What Are Urban Food Deserts?

Medical News Today defines food deserts as regions where people have limited access to healthful and affordable food, often due to low income or the need to travel significant distances for healthier food options. 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) further elaborates, defining food deserts as areas with poverty rates of 20% or more, or where median family incomes do not exceed 80% of the median in urban areas (or statewide in nonurban areas). These areas also have specific geographic criteria based on the distance from large grocery stores.

The issue is more pervasive than many realize. Between 2000 and 2006, the USDA identified approximately 6,500 food deserts. It’s estimated that around 23.5 million people in the U.S. live in low-income areas more than a mile away from a large grocery store, with 11.5 million of these individuals being low-income themselves. 

This situation leads to increased reliance on limited food options available at convenience stores or fast-food restaurants, often resulting in diets high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. 

The consequences? Higher incidences of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related conditions.

What’s the answer?

Fortunately there are many, but today I’m interested in one in particular: the Glasir project. 

What I love most about it is that it sits at the intersection of architecture and urban farming. As a result, it integrates food systems into urban design, enhancing local food accessibility, and building community through education.

With that said, let’s look at urban farming like an architect.

The Intersection In Action: Fram Lab’s Glasir Project

What first caught my attention about the Glasir project, glasir meaning “glowing”, was its name, given after a majestic tree in Norse mythology, Glasir, that was “the most beautiful among gods and men”. 

Indeed, through its artificially engineered symbiotic relationship with nature and surrounding communities, the Glasir project evokes this very idea, revisiting both modular design and vertical farming with fresh eyes and refreshing creative force. 

FramLab. “Glasir,” FramLab, www.framlab.com/glasir. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.

Modular Design + Vertical Farming 

The project acknowledges the significant challenges of modern agriculture, such as its high water usage and large land requirements, which contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. With the expected growth of the world’s population and the increasing pressure on land and water resources, there’s a need for more sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Glasir aims to address these issues by introducing a community-based urban farming system that leverages the advantages of modular design-an approach which divides systems into smaller modules -and aeroponic growth systems- a method of growing plants suspended in air. These structures are capable of providing affordable, locally-grown produce throughout the year. 

“By combining the flexibility of modularity with the efficiency of aeroponic growth systems,” its website reads. “The project offers self-regulating, vertical farming structures that can provide neighborhoods with affordable, local produce year-around.”

Modular design offers flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in construction. It allows for tailored solutions that can adapt to various urban environments, making the most of limited space in densely populated areas. 

Aeroponic systems, on the other hand, represent a leap in agricultural technology. They use mist to deliver nutrients to plants, significantly reducing water usage compared to traditional farming methods. This system also allows for faster plant growth and higher yields, making it ideal for urban settings where space and resources are limited.

By combining these two fields, the Glasir project creates a model for urban farming that is both space-efficient and resource-efficient. Each tree is constantly adapting to user demands and environmental conditions, all based on an AI model and environmental sensors that enables the tree to optimize its growth and distribution of production modules in response to solar gain, temperature levels, prevailing winds, and the presence of adjacent structures.

FramLab. “Glasir,” FramLab, www.framlab.com/glasir. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.

Addressing The Challenges Of Urban Deserts

Glasir addresses the challenges of food production in urban environments, where traditional farming is impractical. By doing so, it creates a symbiotic relationship between urban dwellers and their food sources, not only offering a solution to the problem of urban food deserts but also strengthening communities. It reconnects urban populations with nature, agriculture, and local food supplies, which are often lost in rapidly urbanizing environments​​​​.

This project not only addresses the practical issue of urban food deserts but also fosters a deeper connection between residents and their environment. It is based on a subscription service model for periodic distribution of crops to households, businesses, and schools. In addition to this, its embedded cavities and terraces in the structures invite the community to harvest fruits and vegetables, play, and explore. 

Glasir’s approach goes beyond merely providing food; it cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the local environment and community well-being. This model demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary projects in not only solving practical problems but also in building stronger, more resilient communities​

By incorporating vertical farming structures into the urban landscape, Glasir brings food production closer to consumers. This proximity not only ensures access to fresh produce but also educates and engages the community in sustainable agricultural practices. Such involvement can enhance community cohesion, as residents collectively partake in nurturing and benefiting from these urban farms.

By melding the realms of architectural and agricultural innovation, the Glasir presents a compelling solution to urban food deserts and goes further to reinvigorate community ties, serving as an inspiration for future urban planning, demonstrating that when we bridge diverse fields of knowledge, we can create holistic solutions that address both environmental challenges and social needs, paving the way for more resilient and connected urban communities.

Thought To Action

1. Plan Your Meals: Start by planning your weekly meals. This helps in buying only what you need, reducing impulse buys, and minimizing food waste. 
2. Embrace Imperfect Produce: Buy ‘ugly’ fruits and vegetables. These are often discarded for aesthetic reasons but are just as nutritious and tasty.
3. Master Food Storage: Learn the best ways to store different types of food to extend their shelf life. For instance, keeping apples away from other produce prevents them from ripening too quickly.
4. Compost Kitchen Scraps: Set up a compost bin for organic waste. This not only reduces landfill waste but also provides nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
5. Donate Excess Food: If you have food you won’t use, donate it to local food banks or shelters. This helps those in need and prevents good food from going to waste.
6. Support Local Food Pantries: Volunteer at or donate to local food pantries and soup kitchens. This supports your community and helps combat local food insecurity.

Sources

Block, India. “Precht’s the Farmhouse Concept Combines Modular Homes with Vertical Farms.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 22 Feb. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/02/22/precht-farmhouse-modular-vertical-farms/#. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Denisa Ogoyi. “5 Challenges the Agricultural Sector Faces in 2023.” Earth.org, Earth.org, 13 Feb. 2023, earth.org/challenges-farmers/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

FramLab. “Glasir,” FramLab, www.framlab.com/glasir. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.

“Glasir | Framlab.” Framlab, 2016, www.framlab.com/glasir. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“Global Report on Food Crises 2023 | World Food Programme.” Wfp.org, 2 May 2023, www.wfp.org/publications/global-report-food-crises-2023. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“Item.” Who.int, 2023, www.who.int/publications/m/item/the-state-of-food-security-and-nutrition-in-the-world-2023. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“Key Messages.” Fao.org, 2023, www.fao.org/3/cc3017en/online/state-food-security-and-nutrition-2023/key-messages.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“Origins of Agriculture – Research, Techniques, Domestication | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/agriculture/Research-techniques. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“Publication Preview Page | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.” FAODocuments, 2023, www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3017en. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“The Development of Agriculture.” Nationalgeographic.org, 2023, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/development-agriculture/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

“This Modular Vertical Farm Could Sweep Away “Urban Food Deserts.”” Euronews, Euronews.com, 19 Sept. 2021, www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/19/this-modular-vertical-farm-could-sweep-away-urban-food-deserts. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

World Bank Group. “Food Security Update| the Bank’s Response to Rising Food Insecurity.” World Bank, World Bank Group, 13 Nov. 2023, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.