URBAN MEAL MINE, LONDON - Sustainable farming for megacities

1. Abstract:

Food is one of the most fundamental elements of human existence. Looking back, the way we produce, store and consume food has evolved greatly. Humans have thrived because our ancestors learnt how to gather, produce and consume food, all with their bare hands. And mankind has sustained due to these crucial elements of knowledge passed through generations. With industrialization came mass production, and with mass production came an influx of consumers - who started paying instead. Skills and crafts related to agriculture and food production are now mostly obsolete in the urbane environment. Mass consumerism through supermarkets and even online mediums is slowly changing how we perceive, acquire and consume food.

This has raised issues like overconsumption, poor quality, high wastage and an over-dependence on manufacturing agencies. In the long run our perception of fresh foods/fruits will be completely eroded by advertisements and fancy packaging, which can have irreversible impacts on health, and hence, the human evolution cycle.

The time to intervene is now.

As a designer how can you bring farming to the cities where people can see, participate or celebrate cultivation - and understand what they eat, much better? Where not only awareness related to food is available, but as a community we become more responsible for our actions. How can you change the image of cities as the ones that only consume, to ones that contribute too? Or make farming so easy for people using technologies of today that makes it easy for people to grow it in their homes? Urban meal mine¹(n), is a place where people can generate/learn/contribute to grow food for their city. This is usually located in the heart of the city where skilled labour + abundant transport + short distance logistics + faster production technologies can break even revenue over the high cost land it occupies.

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2. Site:

The site for this intervention is the New Covent Market located in the Nine Elms District, London opposite to historic Battersea power station. The site is close to the river Thames and is a part of Nine Elms regeneration plan. It consists of a 4 decade old market structure which houses a wide variety of wholeseller’s of foods, fruits, vegetables and flowers. The site is surrounded by residential and commercial developments of various scales, and is expected to invite people from around the city. It also has two brand new tube stations proposed in attempt to rejuvenate transport links to the Nine Elms district.

3. Eligibility

The competition is open to all students and professionals (Worldwide). Minimum eligible age for participation is 18 years. This competition is open for both students and professionals. Team size is maximum of 4 members per team. All disciplines are eligible.

Team: Teams with all student participants (with valid id’s required) will be categorized under student teams. Teams with even one professional participant will be categorized under professional team.

4. Submission

A maximum 6 – A3 sheets in digital format (JPEG) (120ppi). Minimum requisites in the sheets (For a complete submission): Site plan (Compulsory), Key conceptual sections x 2 (Minimum), 3D views x 3 (Minimum / Should include 1 aerial view), Elevation x 1

Cover image of size 1500 x 600 px or larger in aspect ratio 1 : 2.5.

Floor plans, images, sketches  (if any) can be added to support the entry in the form of additional images.

5. Prizes

A total of 4000$ worth rewards to be won.

Winner: 1500$ in cash + Trophy + Certificate + Publication

Runner up: 550$ in cash + Trophy + Certificate + Publication

People's Choice (Students): 500$ - Trophy + Certificate + Publication

People's Choice (Professionals): 500$ - Trophy + Certificate + Publication

Honorable Mention (Students x 4): Medal + E - certificate + Bi-Annual Digest of Unfuse + Publication

Online presentation: 30 Shortlisted Entries - E- certificate - Entries promoted through partner websites.

6. Language

Official language of the competition will be in English.

7. Deadlines:

Early Registration: 20^th August 2018 Standard Registration: 05^th October 2018 Late Registration: 20^th November 2018 Closing of Registration: 20^th November 2018 12:00PM GMT Submission of Entries: 30^th November 2018 12:00PM GMT Public Voting Begins: 05^th December 2018

Public Voting Ends: 31^st December 2018

Display of Shortlisted Entries: 01st January 2019

Result announcement: 10th January 2019

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