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Description
The objective of the project is to create the green-garden installation for the food production which is based on aquaponic systems supported on rain and stormwater collection infrastructure. Alongside to food production, the infrastructure will play an educational and social role, integrating the citizens, creating the workplaces and propagating the environment-friendly behaviours. The design of the system will be suited to the urban tissue thanks to local community engagement and urban planners work. The aquaponic installation connected with the water collection and treatment system will create a meeting place and play a social role by integrating neighbourhoods, local citizens, boosting entrepreneurship and rising the knowledge about climate changes. The project takes the Urban Living Lab (ULL) approach with six interrelated, feedback-driven work packages. It’s a complex project, containing aquaponics with stormwater treatment and the technologic “mixture” with social component. ULL methodology assumes moving almost all research activities to the project site. Big part of infrastructure will be located in two urban sites (Wroclaw and Oslo) and research on them will be performed there. In this “co-creation” process subject infrastructure is developed in front of the local community and with their engagement. Researchers in this setting can be seen as “invited experts” that intervene within stormwater aquaponic installation but are doing this “on behalf” of society. Aquaponic farm in modern, dense cities may help accomplish the search for amorphous forms, offering expected variety and contrast in highly urbanized context. Even more important advantage that aquaponic farm offers to urban hierarchies is its potential of social interactions
Summary of project results
USAGE project was developed in response to the growing demand for increased production of health and safe food amid climate changes and geopolitical challenges. There is a need for traditional farming to evolve into more sustainable practices. This project aims to test new practices for reduced land use and high-quality food production in urban environment.
The project created small, mobile container farms designed for urban settings, integrated with nature-based stormwater cleaning and collection systems. The two urban farms were established near local communities in Wroclaw and in Oslo, which fostered neighbourhood interaction. The project team evaluated the food production potential of the mobile container for further commercialization. The project team researched water quality, animal and plant farming, and the reuse of byproducts and waste streams. The project also developed educational activities about health and safe food production for the general public.
The project gathered significant interest from both local and wider communities. The high demand for projects’ workshops led to their continuation alongside the project. The project also attracted the attention of major Polish companies, such as 3M, which partnered with the project through support from the Global Giving organisation. Educational initiatives sparked interest in aquaculture and fostered bilateral cooperation between the Lower Silesia region in Poland and Northland in Norway.
Summary of bilateral results
The Polish-Norwegian collaboration within the project yielded significant benefits, particularly in aquaculture and food production. Norway, a global leader in aquaculture with a strong focus on environmental protection and sustainable practices, was an ideal partner for a project involving recirculating aquaponic systems. The Norwegian partners, NIVA and FNI institutes, have extensive experience in water and societal research respectively. NIVA, as the main partner, contributed its expertise in storm and rainwater collection and cleaning through nature-based technologies, such as green roofs.NIVA collaborated closely with Krakow University of Technology on Work Packages 3 and 5, focusing on the construction and installation of nature-based green roofs, an area of specialisation of Dr. Sondre Meland and his team. Additionally, NIVA worked with the H2O Water Institute on the aquaponic system and its installation. To enhance collaboration, identical aquaponic systems were installed at both locations, facilitating knowledge exchange and experimental results comparison, and standardising farm operations in both settings. In the education sector, both parties exchanged lesson plans for consultation and improvement. The collaboration was intensively discussed during regular teleconferences (at least once a month) and through personal meetings (three times during the project duration).