1. Introduction
This proposal has been developed in response to the request for proposals on developing engineering solutions for a sustainability problem.
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). ZFarming is an urban farming production “characterised by the non-use of land or acreage” to bring food to the cities sustainably as it reduces transportation carbon footprint while factoring resource scarcity (Thomaiser et al., 2015). Localised ZFarming examples in land constraint Singapore include Comcrop and Citiponics (Lim, 2019). Both merged ZFarming with hydroponics to grow food in a sustainable manner through vertical farming (The Straits Times, 2016). Elder generations or even volunteers help to tend the crop, stimulating community involvement through such educational scheme on farming (Teh, 2019). In order to make better use of the vacant spaces of rooftops, ZFarming can be implemented onto the rooftops. For example, currently SIT@Dover does not have any buildings with any implementation on the rooftops, therefore leaving plenty of spaces vacant.
According to data from The World Bank (n.d.), the land scarce nation 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 to the current level of less than 10% as seen in Appendix B. On the other hand, in accordance to Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) (2015), 35% of land used in Singapore is purposed for housing, industry and commerce and community, institution and recreational facilities, illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1: Singapore land use distribution 2010 and 2030 projected distribution (Urban Redevelopment Agency, 2015)
Out of the 35% of land used, large availability of vacant spaces can be unlocked for utilisation. Based on common sight in sub-urban areas of Singapore (high-rise residential, industry and commerce and community, institution and recreational facilities) with the aid of Google Map’s satellite image (2019), most of the rooftops within Jurong West Street 75 alone have readily available vacant spaces as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Satellite imagery of Jurong West Street 75 (Google Map, 2019)
With such trend, even the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is targeting "to unlock more spaces to grow food locally, including underutilised or alternative spaces like vacant state buildings, rooftops and the deep sea”. Implementation of ZFarming will also help in expanding local agri-food sector to tackle food security amidst land scarcity issues while achieving Environment and Water Resources Ministry (MEWR) “30 by 30” goal by increasing local produce from less than 10% to 30% by 2030 (Mahmud, 2019).
With reference to the model of SIT@Punggol in Appendix C, Happy Farmer Pte Ltd would like the SIT@Punggol planning committee to adopt the idea to include ZFarming with hydroponics as part of their construction plan to utilise vacant spaces in the rooftops of SIT@Punggol’s buildings while playing a part in expanding the local food security. As an institute, SIT can be used as the platform to push for the awareness of ZFarming, since SIT’s mission is “to nurture and develop individuals who build on their interests and talents to impact society in meaningful ways”. It will be impactful to the Singapore as a whole while SIT will be recognised as a one stop location for local urban farmers to research on urban farming, while working alongside with the government agencies to initiate their 30 by 30 goal through institutional platform.
2. Problem Statement
As seen in the model of SIT@Punggol, buildings’ vacant spaces such as rooftops are not fully utilised. Implementation of ZFarming on the said rooftop can maximise space usage, setting as a model institute to play a part in achieving the nation’s 30 by 30 goal while expanding the local food security.
3. Purpose Statement
Happy Farmers Pte Ltd would like to propose to the SIT@Punggol planning committee to look into the application of ZFarming technique 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 while in line with SFA’s push for the local second food basket - local sources for food security.
4. Proposed Solution
Based on the example of the model display of SIT@Punggol, implementing ZFarming can potentially reduce the amount of vacant spaces in the campus. “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). ZFarming would maximise the vacant spaces as well as rooftop areas of the urban buildings. Rooftop areas of institutions such as National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University as well SIT are vacant with little to no implementations. This is seen in their campus on site, where rooftops are mainly vacant. Therefore, it would be a viable idea to manifest and develop ZFarming on urban buildings such as the new campus of SIT@Punggol, to ensure that such spaces could be used for farming or educational purposes.
ZFarming complemented with the technique of hydroponics will be introduced to SIT@Punggol. Hydroponics is “the technique of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrients solution in a water solvent” (Woodford, 2019). This provides a more direct and efficient method of feeding plants with nutrients with the option of being pesticide-free. If housed on rooftops or even in a controlled environment (greenhouse), it is feasible and easy to control.
In order to implement ZFarming in SIT@Punggol, certain steps have to be taken. First, 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.
Second, identify current local ZFarming projects. As mentioned in the introduction, Comcrop and Citiponics would enable us to pinpoint effective methods to carry out ZFarming.
Third, understanding the suitability of ZFarming as it varies 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” (Lim, 2019). Different types of technologies could be implement depending on the climate and surroundings.
Last, implementation. 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 implement ZFarming.
5. Benefits
Our aim is for SIT@Punggol committee team to adopt the proposal as there is no food garden located at vacant spaces. This idea coincides with SIT@Punggol’s forged identity of ‘Campus-in-a-Park’. Based on SIT@Punggol’s write up at SIT@Dover’s reception, the team understands that the planning committee had included green spaces at car parks’ roofs and other plant rooms. Those green roofs not only help to brighten up the institute, but also act as outdoor event spaces. With ZFarming, it can serve the same purpose as those designed green roofs for SIT@Punggol with additional benefits such as food production, education purpose and recognition - the pioneer institute to house ZFarming.
5.1. Maximising agriculture land spaces
The proposed solution of ZFarming with hydroponics can help to minimise land space usage as the plants are planted closely side by side while being vertically stacked in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Furthermore, the plants are soaked in nutrients rich water (Max, 2017). This means that crops planted do not the need for topsoil layer on earth to rest, compared to conventional farming techniques.
5.2. Easy maintenance
Since the plants are soaked in nutrients rich water, the crops will be free from soil-borne diseases and have sufficient nutrients intake without the need for huge amount of fertilisers (Max, 2017).
5.3. Learning platform
ZFarming is a great platform for all walks of life to gather to share their passion for urban farming. This is also in line with the purpose of Punggol Digital District, to be inclusive for academia, industrial and community. Residents and students will have the opportunity to share and learn new knowledge on urban farming, and utilise the skills gained to create their own mini gardens at home.
5.4. Interaction opportunity
ZFarming can rekindle the kampong spirit where the community come together to work in unison. By being active, proactive and with an open heart, students and residents around the neighbourhood can come together to plant and harvest food crops (Chia, 2018). Punggol residents who help out in the process are able to bring home food crops as part of the incentives for their efforts in facilitating the farm.
5.5. Recognition
SIT will also be recognised as the pioneer institute to partner with the government agencies to initiate the widespread of 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 for interested urban farmers to learn and conduct their research on the topic.
5.6. Food production
With ZFarming, it can minimally relieve the demand for imported food supply during emergency situations such as natural disaster disrupting overseas supply. Harvested food crops can be supplied to one of the canteens in the institute. The cohort of SIT will then be able to consume freshly harvested vegetables while reducing carbon footprint.
6. 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 committee 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, also fulfils the vision of being interclusive. 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 such as ghost pepper and sweet basil.
However, ZFarming has some limitation. Ponding issues will occur on rooftop due to tropical climate in Singapore. Wet and dry areas of the roof along with acid rain left from evaporating rain, would cause damage on roof surface (BCA, n.d.). In order to prevent this, installation of drainage can redirect the water accumulated on the roof to prevent water stagnation and mosquitoes breeding (Coddington, 2018).
According to Regulation 45(1) of the Building Control Regulations 2003, no building shall be subjected to extra loading besides the design loads and non-compliance is an offence. The proprietor has to hire Professional Engineer (PE) to ensure that safety requirement have been met.
From the satellite view of SIT@Punggol (see Figure 2), the institute is currently not undergoing any construction work. SIT planning committee can consult with design engineers to install drainage system and factor in the additional load to ensure that safety requirements are met.
Figure 2: Satellite view of SIT@Punggol (Tan R. , 2015)
7. Methodology
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. To better understand the design of SIT@Punggol, the team visited the display model and write up located at the reception of SIT@Dover as shown in Appendix C. Through the primary research, we understand that campus wants to forge the identity of “Campus-in-a-Park”.
Journal articles, news articles and websites were also used to make further secondary research with regards to ZFarming and hydroponics to support this technical report. ZFarming case studies, feasibility and trends were researched on. Secondary sources from local news platform such as The Strait Times and TODAY, and agencies’ websites like AVA and Building Construction Authority (BCA) were used to gain insights of Singapore food supplies and ZFarming. As for figures, they were sourced personally to Google Map and Blogspot.
8. Conclusion
In conclusion, ZFarming complemented with hydroponics would utilise otherwise vacant space, which would be an issue that local agencies such as SFA and URA are looking to tap on. ZFarming can also achieve SIT@Punggol’s identity of being “Campus-in-a-Park”, by creating community park where it allows interaction, recreation and rejuvenation. With ZFarming, it can engage the SIT’s cohort and Punggol residents to take part in the farming process by putting their green fingers to work. SIT could take the opportunity to be the first campus to integrate ZFarming to their infrastructure, showing sustainable urban living with the benefit of freshly harvested crops. This could 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 of ZFarming will also be in line with SFA’s 30 by 30 goal, aiding in pushing for the awareness of local food security is a part of the national security.
