Sunday 15 December 2019

Urban Agriculture on the Roof of the Dizengoff Centre

Today, around 55 percent of the world's population is thought to be living in an urban area or city, with that figure set to rise to 68 percent over the coming decades. As cities increase in size, new and sustainable ways to grow enough food to feed the people inhabiting them will need to be developed. One such way is urban farming and one such organisation leading the way is Center Park, an educational urban farm located on the roof of the Dizengoff Center, Israel's first shopping centre which opened in Tel Aviv in 1983.
Center Park is a joint venture between the Dizengoff Center and the LivinGreen company, an Israeli company that has helped pioneer soil-less aquaponic and hydroponic farming solutions. Not long ago my dad and I joined a tour of the rooftop gardens to see how this unique farm offers a method of cultivating vegetables, leafy greens and herbs without soil in an urban environment.
The farm grows only local species, according to the season and is open to the general public for tours and workshops. We were shown the biodynamic bee hive, below, and learnt the purpose of the bees' important activity. We saw the nursery for tree seedlings and the garden built to attract butterflies and to teach their environmental value. We were taught about energy efficiency and the actions taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the Dizengoff Center. There is a domestic biogas system at the farm that demonstrates how organic waste can be turned into gas using microbes, which can be used for cooking and operating generators.
Vegetables being grown at Center Park include lettuce, chard, celery, spinach and green onions. While the farm does have some soil-based plants at the site, the crops grown for consumption are using the aquaponic and hydroponic methods, which means growing food plants in water without any bedding whatsoever, with the nourishment materials being dissolved in the water. Advantages of the methods are the lightweight nature of the system compared to soil, as well as the simple installation and easy ability to grow food. Apparently three or four times the amount can be grown using these methods than in the ground, which can be a very good solution for the future in order to feed people in urban areas. In addition, the techniques are so simple you only need two or three farmers to produce thousands of vegetables per month.
Currently 15 restaurants in Tel Aviv and a number of self-service stands inside the Dizengoff Center are the beneficiaries of Center Park's produce but, and perhaps more importantly, the organisation is helping build a blueprint that could benefit countless people around the world in the coming decades. They believe that everyone living in the city can grow agricultural produce on his or her own using these simple methods and at low cost, and that the main benefit is quality and healthy food.
Workshops at the farm teach the participants about urban agriculture, cultivation methods and the various technologies, as well as about the ways to implement them at home, office or school.
My dad and I came away inspired and excited by what we'd seen.

34 comments:

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love the idea of urban farming. It looks like a beautiful farm - I'd love to visit!

R's Rue said...

Cool.

VeggieMummy said...

What a great idea. I can think of a few buildings in our town that could try similar methods. xx

Jayne said...

What a fab idea! And so resourceful! I can see this being so beneficial for future years to come. xx

Crummy Mummy said...

Oooh I love things like this - such a clever use of space! #MMBC

Shiju Sugunan said...

Good idea for a greener city!

handmade by amalia said...

This is brilliant, Lisa! Putting it on my list.
Amalia
xo

Coombe Mill - Fiona said...

I'm all for bringing a little nature into the most urban spaces. It brings a sense of calm and tranquility. Love the roof top. #Globalblogging

Kim Carberry said...

This is such a great idea and what a great use for the space x #MMBC

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Amazing! It is good to see a bee hive! Thank you!

Klara said...

amazing! what a shame I didn't know of it when I viseted Tel Aviv in October. I would have loved to see it.

junieper/Jesh said...

Wouldn't doubt that half of the population lives in urban areas, in such a small country:) The good thing is there are many inventors in Israel other countries lack. Love details you point to, such as repurposing organic wast:) California could use some of the hydroponic methods, since it's so dry here for long periods of time. Indeed, inspiring and many thanks for enlightening All Seasons about it:) Have a beautiful December week, Lisa!
Jesh

Lydia C. Lee said...

I'm keen for some bees. Great ideas #GlobalBlogging

Sharon Wagner said...

That is awesome. A roof with more than a view. A great use of space. The bees knees.

NCSue said...

That's amazing! What a clever idea.
Thanks for joining us again this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/12/coffee-shop-humor.html.
I know your holidays are also approaching - may you and yours be blessed!

Tamar SB said...

What amazing ideas!

Claire Justine said...

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays, hope you can join us again tomorrow.

italiafinlandia said...

Love to see the bees...and the clever exploiting of space.

Miss Val's Creations said...

I love seeing rooftop gardens in urban areas. So important and brilliant! This is the first I have heard of biogas. That is truly amazing. This place must be awesome for learning about and inspiring hydroponics.

Tom said...

...feeding our growing world will need creative thinking. Thanks for sharing.

thisiswhereitisat said...

What a wonderful space you have created X #globalblogging

David M. Gascoigne, said...

As you point out we are going to have to develop new ways of growing food to feed burgeoning urban populations. Here in North America so much land in residential areas is devoted to lawns, and if that space was converted to vegetable production, many houses could become self sufficient from that perspective. Perhaps it will start to happen as the price of food continues to rise.

beatravelling said...

I like ideas like this, like the old metro tracks in New York that has been turned into a park. #wanderfulwednesday

Cynthia said...

Amazing! Love the idea of urban farming! And who knew what simple methods and low cost are involved. I always think of hydroponic and soilless farming as requiring lots of equipment and investment. Glad I was wrong! #WanderfulWednesday

Allison said...

What a great way to bring fresh produce to everyone, even those living far away from agricultural areas. #wanderfulwednesday

Lydia C. Lee said...

And back for #WanderfulWednesday

Rhonda Albom said...

I am blessed by ample land to grow my own garden. I do like the hydroponic serpentine PVC concept. It looks like a good way to vertically stack the plants.

Courtney said...

This looks so cool! Urban farming is something I'd love to learn more about. You've inspired me to see if my own city has something like this!

betty-NZ said...

It's quite amazing what some God-given talent can accomplish! And so useful to so many, too.

It's terrific to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

My Corner of the World

Jessi (Two Feet, One World) said...

What a great model for the world's growing cities to adopt - I love the idea of teaching everyone how to grow their own food no matter their space, and sharing community spaces like this too. #WanderfulWednesday

Powell River Books said...

Bees are so important in nature and agriculture. I have bee hotels to help out in my small garden. - Margy

loopyloulaura said...

Brilliant that the space is being used productibly for vegetation and therefore supporting environmental issues. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

Sharon said...

I love the idea of using urban spaces for growing vegetation. Wonderful!

Alex - My Life Long Holiday said...

I totally love this - what a great idea! The whole concept fascinates me and I would love to do the tour. #farawayflies