Urban Farming as an Innovative Tool for Generative and Sustainable Cities: The Case of Galliera City in Bologna, Italy

Abstract

AbstractIn the time of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and crisis, cities should be transformed to be healthier, sustainable and resilient. Urban farming – a key factor influencing city’s sustainable development – should be fostered and addressed. If rooftop gardens are exploited in the city of Bologna, it can supply 12,500 tons of vegetables covering 77% of the citizens’ needs. The SIAPA area in Galliera was once the life of the town, but today it stands as a major hurdle to its community. This chapter presents a study conducted to tackle the abundant site to become green and sustainable. The objective aims at revitalizing and upgrading a deserted site in Galliera, Bologna, through exploiting the lens of urban agriculture, endorsing circular economy, and creating a generative education hub. The methodology depends on two approaches: a theoretical site assessment followed by practical data gathering and analysis of the site and the surrounding context; and an interactive approach where sustainable development is a centre core to create a smart, sustainable, energy efficient, resilient, socially engaging and liveable city engine. Smart and green interventions are then proposed to attain SDGs tackling environmental and agricultural innovation, social integration, educational enlargement and economic sustainability. Agricultural innovation lies in incorporating hydroponics, aquaponics and aquaculture farming into architecture. Biodiversity is implanted, wetlands are designed for soil reclamation and systems of rainwater harvesting, green roofs, permeable floors, solar panels and biogas production are introduced. For social integration, a spiral of establishments’ retrofitting of the site’s old buildings invites the community into the site. The educational enlargement lies in the research centre, the museum, the workshops and the library. In term of economic sustainability, a business model is designed where the strategy is based on an iterative process. Results show that the project generates zero-km clean fruits, vegetables and leafy crops amounting to 160 tons. Also, SDG 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15 are attained; by creating a sense of belonging and identity to the community, yet adding environmental, social and economic impacts on the city’s resilience and sustainability.KeywordsUrban farmingCities resilienceSocial innovationBuildings’ retrofittingSDGs