1. Vertical Farming Examining the Research Design behind the question, Will the conceptual ideas of vertical farms become infrastructure in our future? Presented by: Lauren Williamson ENGL 302
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3. Proposed Advantages of Vertical Farming Figure 2: Dr. Despommier (2004). Flow diagram of NYC before and after instituting vertical farms.
4. Dr. Despommier: Founder of Vertical Farms Claims vertical farms address the following: -Less land use -Reduction in global warming through less deforestation -Chemicals from fertilizers will be unnecessary -Topsoil nutrients and erosion will not be impacted -The vertical farm infrastructure will allow for recycling of water and more efficient energy use Research: “ The Vertical Farm.” EcoEng Newsletter . June 2004. No. 9. < http://www.iees.ch/EcoEng041/EcoEng041_verticalFarm.html >.
5. Architectual Case Studies Research: The Vertical Farm Project . 2009. < http://www.verticalfarm.com/designs.html>.
7. Analysis of the company’s support of the research’s question, with focus on the impacts of environment, society, and cost: Energy: While conserving energy through infrastructure design and decreasing energy costs, the vertical farm will also implement renewable sources of energy, decreasing reliance on coal-burning plants. Water: Collection and recycling of of water will be done in a sustainable and mindful practice. Aesthetics: As a societal impact, Weber Thompson supports the infrastructure design as jointly visually pleasing and functional in energy conservation. Eco-Laboratory. Weber-Thompson
11. "The Living Tower" by SOA Architects This company sees the advantages behind their design as being: -healthier produce (no insects or need for pesticides) -regulation of climate (more reliable production of produce) -use of renewable energies as power -no reliance on coal
12. Examining the Research Question: The Plausibility of Vertical Farms … with respect to waste management practices, the ecology of a city, and other societal impacts (a summary of ideas for research) Displacement of agricultural societies, potential loss or displacement of traditional farming jobs. Healthier produce and “urban” farming jobs N/a Less deforestation and land use, which means less erosion and less flooding Initial costs of designs and renewable energy is often unattractive to developers. Less CO2 emissions and pollution by decreasing reliance on coal-burning power plants and transportation, and implementing renewable-sources of energy. “ Blackwater,” or the wastewater and sludge from soils, from the vertical farms needs an additional costly filtration system in order to be recycled and conservative of the water resources. Water can be used more efficiently in a vertical farm Disadvantages Advantages
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