Cities, Planning and Ratatouille | Gwyneth Chu | TEDxYouth@GSIS | Summary and Q&A

Summary

This talk discusses the significance of agriculture in urban cities using the dish Ratatouille as a metaphor. It explores the different types of Ratatouille dishes and how they represent different aspects of urban agriculture. The speaker also introduces the concept of vertical farming as a potential solution for inclusive and efficient land use in urban farming.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of using Ratatouille as a metaphor for urban cities?

Using Ratatouille as a metaphor allows us to explore the structure and components of a city through the dish. It draws attention to our awareness and accessibility to certain pieces of information, just like some people are unaware that Ratatouille is a real dish. This metaphor helps us understand the components of a sustainable city, including agriculture.

Q: How does the structure of Ratatouille dishes represent different aspects of urban agriculture?

The different Ratatouille dishes represent different aspects of urban agriculture based on their structure. The French old-fashioned Ratatouille with unevenly distributed vegetables represents the olden days when Hong Kong was relatively self-sufficient in agriculture. The incomplete Ratatouille dish made by the speaker's brother represents the current situation in Hong Kong, where agricultural land uses have decreased, and the city mainly relies on imports. The perfectly structured Ratatouille dish made by the rat in the movie represents the future of agricultural land use, where more efficient resources and better land use can be achieved.

Q: What is the current state of agriculture in Hong Kong?

Currently, Hong Kong has seen a continuous reduction in agricultural land, shrinking by 26 percent since the start of the millennium. The city mainly relies on imports for 90 percent of its food consumption. There is still available farmland of 4,000 hectares, but only 600 hectares are actively farmed. This highlights the need for innovative and inclusive farming methods in urban cities like Hong Kong.

Q: What are some ambitious farming projects in urban cities?

There are several ambitious farming projects happening in urban cities. Some examples include community gardening and rooftop herb gardening projects. These projects aim to promote urban farming and make use of available space. However, outdoor farming requires significant acreage, which can be a challenge in densely populated areas with high rental costs.

Q: What is vertical farming and how does it solve some of the challenges in urban agriculture?

Vertical farming is a concept that utilizes upward expansion to increase productivity in a smaller area. It involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers or on vertical surfaces. One acre of vertical farming is equivalent to 20 acres of a regular soil-based farm. This method allows for closer planting densities, shorter production cycles, and increased profitability. It can also lead to more inclusivity within a community, conserve energy and water, and have more efficient land use.

Q: Why is vertical farming more suitable for urban cities?

In an urban city, farming is more suitable to be part of the secondary or service sector rather than the primary sector, as taught in geography or economics classes. Vertical farming, with its innovative techniques and use of technology, aligns better with the characteristics of urban cities. It fosters knowledge exchange between local farming communities and scientists, increases employment opportunities, and offers a sustainable solution for sourcing food locally.

Q: What is aquaponics and how is it utilized in vertical farming?

Aquaponics is a system that combines aquaculture (the farming of fish) with hydroponics (the growing of plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution). In aquaponics, the waste produced by fish contains ammonia, which is converted into nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. These nitrates act as natural fertilizers for the plants, creating a continuous cycle of nutrient distribution. Aquaponics is utilized in vertical farming, such as the improved vertical farming system in Hong Kong called Farm 66.

Q: What are some advantages of vertical farming?

Vertical farming offers various advantages, such as increased air purification, decreased urban heat island effect, and improved carbon capture. It also provides opportunities for inclusive and community-based farming, reduces transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, and allows for sourcing ingredients locally. Vertical farming can revolutionize horticulture and contribute to the development of sustainable urban ecosystems.

Q: Are there any disadvantages to urban farming?

While urban farming has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider. It requires a significant amount of investment and competing for land with other urban infrastructure. Additionally, urban farming has limitations in terms of meeting the food demand of the world's current population. However, these challenges can be addressed through innovative farming methods, like vertical farming, and continuous advancements in urban agriculture.

Q: What is the speaker's personal experience with urban farming?

The speaker has purchased their own smart garden, where LED lights run 24 hours to facilitate indoor farming. As a certified foodie, the speaker finds that the vegetables produced through this method taste just as good as store-bought vegetables. They emphasize the importance of reducing carbon footprints associated with food transportation and the potential of urban farming to provide high-quality food sourced locally.

Takeaways

This talk highlights the significance of agriculture in urban cities and explores the potential of vertical farming as a sustainable solution. Using Ratatouille as a metaphor, it emphasizes the need for inclusive and efficient land use in urban agriculture. Vertical farming, with its advantages such as increased productivity, reduced environmental impact, and community involvement, can revolutionize horticulture and contribute to the development of sustainable urban ecosystems.