Construction commences for world’s biggest rooftop farm

John Challen — 10 September 2015

 

   

Source: hortidaily.com

The groundbreaking ceremony of UrbanFarmers’ 1.200m2 rooftop greenhouse in the Hague will take place next week, 14th September. The rooftop farm will be the largest commercial urban farm in Europe. Construction is due to begin in September 2015 with completion in January 2016. The first fish and vegetables will be sold in April 2016, with the farm planned to be open to visitors and tours from February 2016.

The project is realized by collaboration between UrbanFarmers AG, a private investor and Stimuleringsfonds Volkshuisvesting (SVn: the Dutch Municipalities’ Housing Development Fund). SVn utilizes JESSICA funds made available by the European Regional Development Program “Opportunities for West” for economic stimulation in The Hague. The equity and loan to secure financing for UF002 De Schilde is expected from the Fonds voor Ruimte en Economie Den Haag (Fund for Location and Economy The Hague).

UF002 De Schilde is located at a signature building of The Hague; the former Philips telecommunication building constructed by the grandfather of Rem Koolhaas. The classic building on Televiesiestraat 2 currently lies mostly vacant and will now be re-purposed into a multi-story urban farming enterprise.

Dubbed the “Times Square of Urban Farming” (“hotspot for urban farming” in Dutch), the building will span two floors and use the UF System for the sustainable production of fish and vegetables. The UF Consortium partners, UrbanFarmers AG, Priva BV, Koppert Biological Systems and Rijk Zwaan, have been supportive from the outset, and continue to work diligently together to build the urban farm on the rooftop and 6th floor of the
building.

The urban farm will be the first project to be realized following the “Stadslandbouw Initiative” campaign by the Municipality of The Hague.

“Repurposing this signature building is a next step towards realizing alternative means of sustainable fish and vegetable production,” commented Mark Durno, managing director of UrbanFarmers Benelux.” Commercial and sustainable urban agriculture will help to reduce pressure on our oceans and improve the supply chain by bringing ultra-fresh, safe produce as close to the point of consumption as possible, minimizing waste.

“We are excited to be paving the way for more sustainable and commercially viable urban farms,” he added.

UF De Schilde will house Europe’s largest commercial urban food production facility, covering a 1.200 sqm rooftop greenhouse for specialty vegetables, a 370 sqm indoor fish farm and 250 sqm of integrated processing and packaging. The farm will also dedicate 250 sqm exclusively for events and tours