Vertical Gardening in an Urban Environment

Urban areas are often called “food deserts” as access to fresh food is limited. As a result, there is a need to improve local, healthy food production within city limits. However, there are 2 primary challenges facing urban agriculture: This project by Rodale institute tackles both obstacles. According to the Rodale Institute, "In an environment dominated by paved surfaces, finding space and the soil needed for plant production can be difficult. What's more, urban soils are often contaminated by toxic substances from past or present commercial industries. Lead, for example, had been an additive in paint and gasoline for decades until it was realized that lead could damage adolescent brain development."

Rodale Institute has developed a unique vertical gardening system that can increase the food production capacity of cities while avoiding contamination from harmful substances that can be found in urban soils.