In early 2020 Paris will open the world’s largest urban farm, measuring 14,000m² that will be situated right in the heart of the City of Love.
Recently Paris has had urban rooftop farms popping up around the city. These plantations have proved extremely successful with Parisians. The upcoming addition, set to open in the European Spring of 2020.
According to The Guardian, the farm is under construction at the moment in the 15th arrondissement. It will be located atop a major exhibition complex which is currently being refurbished.
The farm will be equipped with a bar and a restaurant, offering panoramic views of Paris. Produce from the farm will feature on the restaurant menu. The plan is to grow over 30 different plant species, with approximately 1,000kgs of seasonal fruit and vegetables being produced in the respective high seasons.
There will be a team of 20 gardeners looking after the crops, through organic farming methods.
The company behind the urban farm is Agripolis and founder Pascal Hardy said to The Guardian that, “the goal is to make the farm a globally-recognised model for sustainable production. The urban-farming company at the centre of the project. We’ll be using quality products, grown in rhythm with nature’s cycles, all in the heart of Paris.”
She continued in saying, “our fresh produce will be used to feed the inhabitants across the south-west of the city – either directly, through veg-box schemes or via shops, hotels and canteens – thereby helping to reduce food miles. Furthermore, we won’t be using any pesticides or chemicals, so the farm will be a haven for biodiversity.”
There will also be a handful of ways for the community to get involved. There will be designated areas for residents to lease a space, to create small vegetable plots of their own. The aim here is to help reconnect people with the source of their food.
In addition to this, there will be educational tours, team-building workshops and special events.
The farm will use a closed water system and no soil or pesticides. This minimizes the risk of pollutants. The location of the urban farm will also ensure a reduced carbon footprint for Parisians, as travelling by train or car will be unnecessary.
Image source: Agripolis
