This revised climate justice community project is a redesign of a previous course focused on urban farming in Kensington, Philadelphia. The previous course was only one quarter, however, after the 2024 Drexel Climate Justice Pedagogy Incubator, I decided to expand it in length to two terms and in depth using some of the fascinating resources I was exposed to. 

Abstract

Philadelphia is making an unprecedented investment in climate resilience, sustainability, climate justice, and nature-based solutions (NBS)- strategies that use natural elements or processes to advance social, ecological, and economic goals. To maximize their value in communities, these policies and strategies need to be customized to local conditions and stressors, including climate stressors. Place-based, community-focused research can help to site, design, implement, and manage these multifunctional strategies to sustain their ability to provide crucial ecosystem services in a climate-changed world. Working in partnership with graduate students from University of Villanova and University of Pennsylvania, this climate justice focused studio will explore multifunctional strategies for making the city more resilient to climate change. The focus will be on how climate change will alter conditions in the city’s neighborhoods, with a focus on flood mitigation, cloudburst management, water quality improvement, and interrelated land use, vegetation canopy, infrastructure, and climatic conditions. 

Course title

Use of “nano-farms” to reduce flooding while advancing urban sustainability and climate resilience. 

Project Description

Urban agriculture includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and vertical production are all examples of urban agriculture. Farmer Jawn LLC is a working farm, building a model that enables regenerative organic food production by and for underserved communities. That makes them the largest black woman owned regenerative organic produce farm in the US. They provide access to fresh organic foods within food deserts and the community at large through their storefronts. Education on the how and where food comes from is offered through on-farm and in-class school-based programming and adult agri-business training. They are increasing awareness around the challenges and opportunities plaguing our society while also creating lifestyle products to live happier and healthier lives. 

How would the nano-farms be physically integrated into neighborhoods of different densities, land uses, and demographics? What infrastructure factors would need to be overcome to get stormwater from roofs, streets, and other surfaces into the farms? Where and how would crops be cultivated on the farms, and subsequently be stored and distributed? What ecological factors would need to be considered especially regarding pests, invasive species, etc.? All these questions should be answered through this two-term climate justice studio project using as a real case study located in 1825 East Boston St., Philadelphia (Kensington neighborhood). 

It is important to understand the needs of the neighborhood and its community, therefore, the specific project uses are agricultural, commercial, and cultural. Focus on the contextual hierarchies of space in relation to site, climate, and access. Key spaces to include: 

• Students will consider how individual spaces can be used for multiple uses, a concept promoted by the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Given the public health crisis of the past three years, students should consider outdoor, semi-conditioned and nontraditional thermal environments. The indoor component of the project should be designed using energy efficiency concepts and reach Zero Energy building standard. Students will be responsible to provide appropriate support spaces such as restrooms and utility closets, as well as everything required for life safety. Students may reference but are not expected to conform to the reality of the area. 

• Students will also consider stormwater management and flooding as major components of this project. Finally, the outdoor site is a courtyard in between building blocks. This community project requires students to consider solar access, egress, customer accessibility, etc.  Students are asked to consider a redesign of the entire courtyard; however, the degree of intervention will be entirely up to the students.