Technical Report Draft #1B

Introduction

This proposal has been developed in response to the request for proposals on developing engineering solutions for a sustainability problem.

Globally, urbanisation is at the expense of agricultural land. According to The World Bank (n.d.), there was a sharp decrease of the world’s agricultural land with respect to the percentage of land area from 1991 to 1992 as seen in Figure 1. With finite resources, “new approaches are needed to reduce urban footprints and make cities sustainable”, which leads to the rise of zero-acreage farming (ZFarming) (Thomaiser et al., 2015). ZFarming is an urban farming production “characterised by the non-use of land or acreage”. In land scarce nation, Singapore, ZFarming can help to tackle both land scarcity and food security issues as in line with Singapore Food Agency’s goal to expand the local agri-food sector (Teh, 2019). 

Figure 1: World’s percentage of agricultural land based on percentage land area (The World Bank, n.d.)

According to data from The World Bank (n.d.), Singapore has achieved 100% urbanisation since 1960. Meanwhile since 1961, the percentage of agricultural land in Singapore has decreased significantly with respect to local land area as seen in Figure 2. Singapore has little farming land with local farm such as Kok Fah and Oh’s Farms, data from 2015 shows only 6.6 km2 land size out of the total 719.1 km2 land space are allocated for agricultural usage, accounting for less than 1% (Data.gov.sg, 2015). Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) reported that local agriculture farms supply 13% of all the vegetables consumed locally, while the rest are imported, an indication that Singapore relies heavily on imported food supplies. This means that Singapore might not be ready to provide local food supplies in case of emergency situation such as food diseases outbreak, overseas suppliers to cut off Singapore’s food supplies and neighbouring countries political changes (AVA, 2019). In order to tackle those emergency situation local government agencies are looking into the integration of farming to “spaces around high-rise public housing” (TODAY, 2017). In accordance to Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA), 35% of land used in Singapore is for the purpose of housing, industry and commerce and community, institution and recreational facilities, illustrated in Table 1. The Environment and Water Resources Ministry (MEWR) also plans by 2030 to increase local produce from less than 10% to 30%. To achieve the “30 by 30” goal, the AVA “has been looking to unlock more spaces to grow food locally, including underutilised or alternative spaces like vacant state buildings, rooftops and the deep sea” (Haziq, 2019).

Figure 2: Singapore’s percentage of agricultural land based on percentage land area (The World Bank, n.d.)

Table 1: Singapore land use distribution 2010 and 2030 projected distribution (Urban Redevelopment Agency, 2015)

Vacant spaces in institutes such as SIT@Punggol can be utilised for ZFarming. If SIT becomes the pioneer campus to partner with the government agencies to initiate the widespread the nation’s effort in the 30 by 30 goal, then SIT@Punggol will be a one stop location or research base for urban farmers in singapore to research on urban farming. (Value for SIT.) We would like the SIT@Punggol planning community to adopt this idea as part of their construction plan to make a part in achieving green spaces in Singapore. 

Problem Statement

Vacant spaces such as rooftops of SIT@Punggol’s buildings are not fully utilised. It is important to integrate zero-acreage food gardens in the vacant rooftops of SIT@Punggol to maximise space usage.

Purpose Statement

The team would like to propose to the SIT@Punggol planning committee to look into the application of zero-acreage farming techniques to fully utilise otherwise vacant rooftop spaces. The proposal is suggesting that SIT will be the pioneer institute to demonstrate sustainable living within the land constraint Singapore, in line with Singapore Food Agency's push for the local second food basket - local sources for food security. 

Proposed Solution

In order to solve the problem, the idea of implementing zero-acreage farming will be able to tackle the current problem which is rooftops being vacant. For example, currently, SIT@Dover does not have any buildings with any implementation on the rooftops. “A growing number of urban farming projects are being started in and on existing urban buildings, using rooftop spaces or abandoned buildings. This includes soil-based or hydroponic open rooftop farms, rooftop greenhouses as well as indoor farming.” (Susanne, 2013) Such innovation would maximise the vacant spaces as well as rooftop areas of the urban buildings. This includes rooftop greenhouses, indoor farming as well as hydroponics. Zero-acreage farming could also illustrate and demonstrate the modern farming techniques and develop an educational scheme or knowledge of protecting Singapore’s food security by developing the local food source. Rooftop areas of many different institutions such as National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University as well Singapore Institute of Technology are normally vacant with little to no implementations. This is seen in their campus, where rooftops are mainly empty spaces. Therefore, it would be a viable idea to manifest and develop zero-acreage farming on urban buildings such as the new campus of SIT@Punggol to ensure that such spaces could be used for farming for food crops or even educational purposes. 

In Singapore, there are examples of zero-acreage farming. One such example is Comcrop, a local urban rooftop aquaponics farm. “Located on the rooftop of SCAPE, a shopping centre in the heart of Orchard Road, the farm now provides fresh produce to establishments that include the Shangri-La and Raffles hotels.” (The Straits Time, 2016) ComCrop makes use of vertical farming in order to develop the food crops in a sustainable manner. There are many various crops such as basil or even peppermint that are being developed and such farming activities are tended to the elder generations or even volunteers.

Besides the idea of implementing zero-acreage farming in and on urban buildings, zero-acreage farming could be complemented with the concept of hydroponics. Hydroponics is the method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrients solution in a water solvent. Growing plants without soil is known as hydroponics. (Chris, 2019)This provides a more direct and efficient method of feeding plants with nutrients. There are many benefits of hydroponics, such as producing no weeds, not requiring huge number of fertilisers which would add to cost, no soil-borne diseases as well as nutrients are well distributed to the plants. Such hydroponics can be considered on rooftops, or even in a controlled environment which is feasible and easy to control. The product is also pesticide-free, which is beneficial for consumption.

The time frame to implement this idea in SIT@Punggol would take up to twelve months, with consideration of venue, resources and manpower. Considering that farming would take time before seeing the product, twelve months would be a considerable timeline.

However, it is important to consider whether such implementation of zero-acreage farming would be feasible in educational institutes or urban developments in Singapore. With the benefits of producing crops for food security as well as being an educational scheme for the institute, it is viable to set up such zero-acreage farming on the rooftops as well as vacant spaces in SIT@Punggol. Most urban spaces are usually vacant, and it would be beneficial to.

In order to implement zero-acreage farming on SIT@Dover, certain steps have to be taken. First, identify zero-acreage farming projects which are currently existing. In the context of Singapore, there is Comcrop as well as Citiponics. Identify the type of crops that are suitable for Singapore’s climate. 

Second, reviewing the suitability of the farms. ZFarms vary in different forms and sizes. By reviewing and planning before the implementation of the farm, it helps to understand the different strategies and points for implementing ZFarms. Next, review the technology to be used for the farm. With reference to Citiponics, it is “using a technology called the Aqua Organic System, the farm produces vegetables that are free of pesticides, and its water- and energy-saving methods prevent mosquito breeding.” (Janice, 2019).  Different types of technology could be used depending on the type of farm as well as the air atmosphere.

Last, implementation of the farm onto rooftops of buildings or vacant spaces. Before implementing, manpower and support is required from the planning committee. By already identifying what type of projects and crops to be used, while reviewing the suitability of certain techniques and location, we can therefore proceed to create the ZFarms.

Benefits

ZFarming brings both social and ecological benefits by opening opportunities for stakeholders in resource savings, repurposing and improve aesthetics of buildings (Specht et al., 2015). Through ZFarming in SIT @ Punggol, it is able to achieve green and sustainable cities and buildings. This helps to improve institute’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) green mark score by a few marks. BCA Green Mark Scheme encourages construction industry to build more environment-friendly buildings while promoting sustainability in Singapore (BCA, 2017).

Social benefits include educating students and public about planting, improving buildings aesthetics, community food security and quality (Specht et al., 2015). It is a platform for all walks of life to gather to plant and harvest food crops as ZFarming recreates the kampong spirit where the community do things in unison. By being active, proactive and with open heart, students and residents around the neighbourhood can come together to gather to plant and harvest food crops (Chia, 2018).

SIT will also be recognised as the pioneer institute to partner with the government agencies to initiate the widespread the nation’s effort in the 30 by 30 goal on their campus ground. The initiative also allows SIT@Punggol to be a one stop location or research base for urban farmers in singapore.

Our aim is for SIT@Punggol committee team to adopt the proposal. This idea is coincide with SIT@Punggol’s identity to be a ‘campus in a park’. Based on SIT @ Punggol’s model and description at SIT@DOVER main entrance, we know that the planning committee included campus green as part of their design. Their design was to create green spaces at roof of the carparks and other plant rooms. It not only can help to brighten up the institute, it can also become an outdoor event space for community events or varsity games.

Even though the plan has included green spaces which consists of vertical walls filled with lush greenery to create a sky garden at development’s southern corners and creeper screens planted at all gable and walls, there are no green spaces located at vacant spaces for farming.

Evaluation

The feasibility of ZFarming on SIT@Punggol campus is doable as it is in line with the campus identity to be a “Campus-in-a-Park” with the purpose to use it to serve as a community park that provides interaction, recreation and rejuvenation. Since the planning community already has assigned green roofs as part of the masterplan, adopting it to ZFarming instead fulfils the requirement and also help in pushing SFA’s 30 by 30 goal. To aid in the yielding of the crops, SIT can engage the local community (punggol residents) to be involved in the ZFarming, also fulfils the vision of being interactive. The residents not only gain knowledge and awareness on ZFarming, but also get to bring home freshly local harvested crop for their consumption.

The success of the programme will rely on the selection of crops suitable to thrive in the local climate. With the success of local ZFarms such as ComCrop and Citiponics, we can gain insights from them with regards for crop selection.

Flooding issue may occur at the rooftop if there are no proper drainage system implemented. However, SIT@Punggol is a development in progress, drainage system can be implemented in the blue print.

Methods/Procedures

In order to make a study on the possibility of zero-acreage farming, different sources were used in order to research deeper into the topic. Internet resources and books were used to make a further research with regards to farming.  There are two components towards the research, secondary and primary. Primary sources were government datas, published books and even research datas. Secondary sources, for example, were news articles, journal articles, Building Construction Authority and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. Authorities approval as it is building, BCA is the relevant authority. AVA is the authority that pushes food security in Singapore.  In order to identify the possibility of setting up the farm, interviews were conducted to the student population to gather opinions. By gathering the feedbacks, we are able to improve on different aspects of the zero-acreage farming and how beneficial it would be to them. News articles and journal articles were referred to for gaining insights of zero-acreage farming. Through these articles, we are able to find out about various established zero-acreage farming projects where we could gain insights and implement such kind of projects onto SIT@Punggol. Not only such articles, books and government datas were considered in order to make a deeper understanding of the topic. We researched on Zfarming trends, feasibility, case studies of Zfarming and local base on Zfarming. Resources such as local news platform Todayonline and The Straits Times were used.

Conclusion

The large potential to utilise otherwise vacant space for ZFarming is something even the local agencies such as SFA and URA are looking to tap on. SIT can take the opportunity to be the first campus to integrate Zfarming to their infrastructure, showing that vacant spaces can be fully utilised with the benefits of freshly harvested crops. This can also bring in collaborative opportunities with agencies as well as local urban farm interest groups, as the campus can be used as a research ground on ZFarming in Singapore. The adaptation will also be in line with SFA’s 30 by 30 goal, aiding in pushing for the awareness of local food security is apart of the national security. The identity, “Campus-in-a-Park” that also serves as a community park that provides interaction, recreation and rejuvenation, SIT wishes to identify can also be fulfil through the engagement of local resident to take part in the farming process.