Protected and controlled environments

Protected & controlled environments – from polytunnels to aquaponics, local heat sources and
composting: urban areas can stimulate creative responses. Affordable, human scale technologies meeting local needs.

Because of variations in climate across the UK, many food growing projects rely on protected or assisted growing environments to extend the growing season. These can range from passive and low cost, to hitech and high cost. Urban areas have unique quirks and constraints that present interesting opportunities to make the most of untapped resources and waste
streams. (Some of these case studies are not in the UK).

  1. Grocycle Urban Mushroom Farm, Exeter
  2. Walipini underground greenhouse – passive, unheated greenhouses and poly-tunnels (low cost)
  3. District Eating (using waste heat for urban horticulture)
  4. Circular, controlled environment aquaculture