USAGE-Urban Stormwater Aquaponics Garden Environment

About this project

<p>The objective of the project is to create the green-garden installation for the food production which is based on aquaponic systems supported on rain and stormwater collection infrastructure. Alongside to food production, the infrastructure will play an educational and social role, integrating the citizens, creating the workplaces and propagating the environment-friendly behaviours. The design of the system will be suited to the urban tissue thanks to local community engagement and urban planners work. The aquaponic installation connected with the water collection and treatment system will create a meeting place and play a social role by integrating neighbourhoods, local citizens, boosting entrepreneurship and rising the knowledge about climate changes. The project takes the Urban Living Lab (ULL) approach with six interrelated, feedback-driven work packages. It’s a complex project, containing aquaponics with stormwater treatment and the technologic “mixture” with social component. ULL methodology assumes moving almost all research activities to the project site. Big part of infrastructure will be located in two urban sites (Wroclaw and Oslo) and research on them will be performed there. In this “co-creation” process subject infrastructure is developed in front of the local community and with their engagement. Researchers in this setting can be seen as “invited experts” that intervene within stormwater aquaponic installation but are doing this “on behalf” of society. Aquaponic farm in modern, dense cities may help accomplish the search for amorphous forms, offering expected variety and contrast in highly urbanized context. Even more important advantage that aquaponic farm offers to urban hierarchies is its potential of social interactions<br> &nbsp;</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The Polish-Norwegian collaboration within the project yielded significant benefits, particularly in aquaculture and food production. Norway, a global leader in aquaculture with a strong focus on environmental protection and sustainable practices, was an ideal partner for a project involving recirculating aquaponic systems. The Norwegian partners, NIVA and FNI institutes, have extensive experience in water and societal research respectively. NIVA, as the main partner, contributed its expertise in storm and rainwater collection and cleaning through nature-based technologies, such as green roofs. NIVA collaborated closely with Krakow University of Technology on Work Packages 3 and 5, focusing on the construction and installation of nature-based green roofs, an area of specialisation of Dr. Sondre Meland and his team. Additionally, NIVA worked with the H2O Water Institute on the aquaponic system and its installation. To enhance collaboration, identical aquaponic systems were installed at both locations, facilitating knowledge exchange and experimental results comparison, and standardising farm operations in both settings. In the education sector, both parties exchanged lesson plans for consultation and improvement. The collaboration was intensively discussed during regular teleconferences (at least once a month) and through personal meetings (three times during the project duration).

Project partners

• Norwegian Institute for Water Research Donor project partner· Norway
• Fridtjof Nansen Institute Donor project partner· Norway
• Cracow University of Technology - CUT Project partner· Poland
• Warsaw University of Technology Project partner· Poland
• CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research Project partner· Poland