Plans for an Urban Farm in New York

French architects have drawn up plans for large-scale urban farms to produce food for the city populace right on their doorstep.

The United Nations predicts the world's urban population will rise from 3 billion to 5.5 billion by 2025. So instead of growing food in the countryside and then bringing it into the city why not have the farms in the city?

French architects Vincent Callebaut have published designs for a partly self-sufficient urban farm dubbed 'dragonfly' because of its wing-like design. With wind turbines to provide power it is designed to be able to house animals as well as growing a full variety of fruit and vegetables.

The Urban Farm

The architects created the urban farm design to be located in New York City, imagining it could sit in the East River, which runs alongside the densely populated Manhattan Island. City Farm Skyline The world of fast-food and frozen food is over according to French-based architects Vincent Callebaut. They want to bring large-scale farming into the city and reverse the food supply chain.

Mixed Farm

Designed as a mixed farm with animals and crops it has enough room to be able to house a large variety of livestock with lighter pigs and chickens kept near the top and bigger cows and buffalo kept near the base of the building. It would also have a fish farm in the river alongside the main building. Dragonfly Farm Architects Vincent Callebaut said the design for the giant urban farm was inspired by the structure of dragonfly wings.

Interior of the farm

Children would be able to visit the farm to learn about food production and where the food they eat comes from. Wind-powered farm Large solar panels and wind turbines would provide most of the energy required by the farm building.

The farms of the future?

Bringing food production to the heart of the city will reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by transporting and importing food from rural and suburban areas. The close proximity of the farm will also mean more fresh food is available to reduce reliance on less healthy frozen and fast-food. Urban Greenhouse All kinds of fruit and vegetables would be grown around the buildings making use of every available roof, terrace and balcony.