Aquaponics



Aquaponics is the combination of raising fish (aquaculture) in tanks together with soilless cultivation of plants (hydroponics) in a symbiotic environment, whereby the fish waste water provides the nutrients needed to feed the plants.


Aquaponics is ideal for promoting local food production in areas with contaminated or poor quality soil. Similarly to NBS 3, food produced locally by locals can lead to healthier diets and contribute to community-building. Additionally the aquaponics systems will create green job opportunities.


This project intends to implement low-cost but stable aquaponics systems, which are easy to operate.

Turin

Turin launched a competition for aquaponics practitioners, and the winner is implementing aquaponics on a small-scale in the Living Lab to grow plants such as salads and herbs. Watch the video (to the right) for an introduction to the winner of the competition.

 

For a more detailed overview of Turin's aquaponics activities, read the factsheet here.

 

 

 

Dortmund

Two 200 m² greenhouses have been constructed on a 1,200 m² area at the site of the former Hansa Coking Plant. Firstly, the focus on was technically developing  the concept of aquaponics in the greenhouses. The intention is not to market food products in the conventional sense; instead the hydroponic beds are available to interested citizens for rent. The economic performance of the aquaponics facilities depends on several factors. Sustainable business models could be developed for small to medium-sized facilities.

 

Learn all about the process, and the co-design and engagement activities along the way, in the factsheet.

Zagreb

The Zagreb team has developed a modular urban farm next to the therapeutic garden on the former meat processing plant area in Sesvete. The farm farm combines two nature-based solutions: green walls as well as aquaponics. The modular container features green wall and roof technologies on the outside, and a small aquaponics system inside. The green wall and roof significantly reduce the sensitivity of the container to atmospheric conditions - insulating the inside of the farm from temperature extremes and absorbing excess rainwater through the green roof technology. The container is mobile and can change location as needed, e.g. for experimentation at Zagreb University.

 

More details are available in the overview and the more detailed factsheet.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement no. 776528. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the proGIreg project and in no way reflects the views of the European Union.