Biochar and urban agriculture
While bio-charcoal (biochar) is nothing totally new, I like role it could play in the circulation of resources between urban and rural areas. Organic waste is turned to biochar, cutting the CO2 emissions of waste disposal and treatment. Added to the soil it shows growth-enhancing effects, helping to grow food needed in the city. After certain… natural processes, the food ends up as organic waste and the cycle is closed.
This poses certain logistical problems (transportation of waste, biochar facilities etc.). But with the recent interest in urban agriculture, vertical farms, green walls etc, the transportation problems could possibly be avoided? The new circle would happen entirely in the city: waste is converted to biochar, biochar is used in urban agriculture and green spaces, food produced within the city miraculously turns to waste. Just a small exercise in creative thinking.
Some reading links:
- “Black is the new green”, Financial Times, 27.2.2009
- “Biochar: is the hype justified?“, BBC News, 16.3.2009
My Tumblr
Gion by Christoph Ballhause on Flickr.
Belgian artist and illustrator Stefaan De Croock aka Strook pressure washed this awesome piece on a mossy wall outside of theSTUK art center in Leuven. (via)
Amazing
Keep Out… Or We’ll Mallet You! by hae jung hofman on Flickr.
