Urban Farming in Inner-city Multi-storey Car-parking Structures- Adaptive Reuse Potential

Authors

  • Monika Szopinska-Mularz Cluster for Sustainable Cities, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3784-1498
  • Steffen Lehmann Cluster for Sustainable Cities, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth, UK; University of Nevada, Las Vegas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/fce.50

Keywords:

Multi-storey car-parking structures, Adaptive reuse and up-cycling, Sustainable architecture, Urban farming, Hydroponics, Local food production

Abstract

The future direction of transport and new global concepts of low-carbon mobility are likely to increase the number of obsolete inner-city multi-storey car-parking structures. The adaptive reuse of these garages is challenged through the continuity of urban change and the need for new mixed-use typologies. The development of technologically advanced farming in these structures could become an innovative strategy that as an interim solution justifies renovation versus demolition and new construction.

The paper presents findings from the first stage of the multiple-site case study research on car-parking structures strategically selected in 3 UK cities (Portsmouth, Bristol and Brighton). In order to develop a better understanding of the conditions that enable the implementation of urban hydroponic farming in selected structures planning and technical limitations and opportunities have been identified through the analysis of policies, exploration of layouts using Revit software, field observation and photography.

The analysis demonstrated that there is a range of possible uses that may be developed in the process of up-cycling of inner-city car-parking structures, of which one might be hydroponics. Looking at three multi-storey garages has shown that these have similar problems for adaptive reuse, which can be overcome with appropriate architectural strategies. Converting these structures for farming could support addressing social, environmental and economic problems. However, the proposed development requires innovations in planning documents. Further analysis needs to be conducted to assess whether the amount of food that could be produced in such a structure is efficient and comparable with other means of achieving it.

Author Biographies

Monika Szopinska-Mularz, Cluster for Sustainable Cities, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth

Monika Szopinska-Mularz is a PhD candidate at the University of Portsmouth in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries. She graduated from Wroclaw University of Technology in 2010 with a Master of Architecture degree. In October 2010, Monika took part in the Leonardo DaVinci programme, which allowed her to commence professional work as an architecture graduate in the practice of KuPArchitekten in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. From 2011 to 2015, she worked as an architect in ST Architekci, an office in Poland. In 2014, Monika passed the Polish Architect`s professional examination and registered as a Chartered Architect. In October 2010, Monika took part in the Leonardo DaVinci (European Union-funded) programme, which allowed her to commence professional work as an architecture graduate in the practice of KuP Architekten in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. From 2011 to 2015, she worked as an architect in ST Architekci, an office in Rzeszow, Poland. During this time her work focused mainly on single and multi-family housing, health care buildings and green building design. In 2014, Monika passed the Polish Architect`s professional examination and registered as a Chartered Architect. In October 2012, Monika started to work part-time as a professorial assistant at the Rzeszow University of Technology, where she taught courses on hand drawing, regeneration of neglected urban areas, interior design and history of art and architecture. As a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth, Monika is a postgraduate students` representative and a member of the Faculty Ethics Committee for the School of Architecture. Professional memberships: Monika is a registered member of Poland’s Chamber of Architects. She is also a member of the Cluster for Sustainable Cities and Poland`s College of Swimming Referees.

Steffen Lehmann, Cluster for Sustainable Cities, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth, UK; University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr Steffen Lehmann, AA Dipl RIBA, is Research Professor of Sustainable Architecture and Director of the interdisciplinary Cluster for Sustainable Cities, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, at the University of Portsmouth, UK. He was a tenured Chair and full Professor for over 13 years in Australia (until 2015). Steffen is an internationally renowned thought leader in the field of sustainable architecture and urban design principles. He is the author of 18 books and over 50 book chapters and 200 papers and articles. Steffen was invited as keynote speaker at over 80 important international conferences. For more information: www.city-futures.org.uk

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Published

2019-02-06

Issue

Vol. 5 (2019)

Section

Case Studies

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