Seed Bank - Building cities as seed economies

PREMISE

Food is one of the most fundamental elements of human existence. Humans have thrived and survived because our ancestors learnt how to gather, produce and consume food. Our has sustenance has been ensured due to these crucial elements of knowledge passed through generations.

As industrialization percolated in the civilization, mass production began. Then there was an influx of consumers - who were capable of paying for the food, instead of producing it. The need to grow food depleted, and as a result, skills and crafts related to agriculture and food production are gradually becoming mostly obsolete in the urbane environment. Mass consumerism through supermarkets is slowly changing how we perceive, acquire and consume food.

The paradigm shift in food production and consumption interspersed with the rising population of our cities creates a bigger problem. We are now wholly reliant on global networks of production and distribution. As individuals, not only we are losing access to crucial, knowledge pertaining to self-sustenance but also losing the diverse species rapidly. This cyclic process of decreasing plant diversity in tandem with worsening climate makes things even gloomy for our urban lifestyle in the coming future.

Challenge

The Industrial Revolution has provided us with a highly consistent supply of processed food. In a way it has given birth to issues like overconsumption, poor quality, high wastage and an over-dependence on manufacturing agencies. On the flip side, we cannot escape mechanization, which successfully meets the soaring demands of consumers. Artificially increasing the speed of production and boosting longevity by adding preservatives is a hidden yet common practice. In the longer run, our perception of fresh food will be completely eroded.

By this model, only economically viable species will flourish, everything else will wither. This rampant commoditization is a slow time bomb that will deteriorate our environment.

Brief:

How can we inspire a positive change in cities we live in where people can learn about these vanishing species and grow/maintain on their own? How can we change the downside of cities, i.e. overcrowding and increasing susceptibility to collapse, to more self-sufficient and more resilient places of living? How can we create cities as micro seed economies where not only urban farming happens, but everyone contributes to the food chain by small endeavors and smarter techniques of farming?

Timeline:

Launch July 24, 2019

Registration closes: December 06^th, 2019

Submission Deadline: December 16^th, 2019

Public Voting begins: December 26^th, 2019

Public Voting ends: January 16^th, 2020

Result Announcement: January 26^th, 2020

 Prizes:

Prize pool of worth 20000$

First Prize: 5000$ (For students and professionals)

Runner up: 6 x 1100$ (For students and professionals)

People’s Choice: 4 x 600$ (Open for all)

Honorable mention x 12: 500$ Each

More competitions here: http://competitions.uni.xyz

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