A plan to build a skyscraper in New York City — one that contains 30 stories of farmland — might have a chance of being realized.

The Telegraph reports that city officials are considering a proposal to build a high-rise that could produce food for 50,000 city residents.

The proposed building, designed by Dr. Dickson Despommier of Columbia University’s public health school, is the latest “vertical farm” to be suggested.

Urban farming is undergoing something of a renaissance; Newsdesk has previously reported on programs taking root in South America, Europe and the United States.

However, “vertical farms” remain unrealized, and a report on the NextEnergyNews Web site about a 30-floor agricultural skyscraper planned for Las Vegas turned out to be a hoax.

Despommier, however, is supported by Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer, according to The Telegraph.

They hope their green building will supply food to the urban population cheaply thanks to reduced transportation costs.

Despommier also told The Telegraph the building would also generate its own electricity and produce less waste.

Critics, however, claim that placing the building in prime real estate makes it less cost-efficient than energy-efficient.

— T.J. Johnston/Newsdesk.org

Source:
“‘Farm in the sky” planned for New York”
The Telegraph, July 15, 2008

“Look, up in the Sky! Urban Farming Puts Down Roots”
Newsdesk.org, April 30, 2008