Imagine a busy Baltic city block with rooftops full of greenery, providing fresh produce for local tables. This highlights urban food production’s power. We complete our role in the URBAN-LOOP project (2021-2023), funded by the Swedish Institute, promoting circular economy via building-integrated agriculture (BIA) in the Baltic Sea Region. Led by UCV and Campus Roslagen AB, the project involved partners from Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and beyond, offering insights into sustainable urban food systems.
Project aims
URBAN-LOOP tackled key BSR issues like food import reliance, land loss from urban growth, water scarcity caused by climate change, and Baltic Sea eutrophication from agriculture. It promoted Building-Integrated Agriculture (BIA), integrating food systems into urban infrastructure. For example, aquaponics combines fish farming and plant cultivation for efficient, year-round urban food, water, and nutrient recycling, reducing environmental impact. These solutions embody a ‘safe and just space’, balancing human needs and ecological limits. Creating local loops with BIA boosts regional prosperity and sustainable urban development. These goals support the EU Green Deal, EUSBSR bio-economy, and UN SDGs 6, 9, 11-14, fostering urban resilience and growth.
Key goals
The project built stakeholder networks, co-created knowledge via workshops and visits, and identified pilot buildings for future BIA. Short-term outputs included country reports on circular farming, a regional synthesis, and groundwork for EU bids like Interreg or Horizon Europe. Next steps involve starting pilot implementations in mid-2024, ensuring insights lead to practical results. Coordination with stakeholders will focus on impact and sustainability.
K2 Solutions’ role
As the Polish partner, K2 Solutions built the stakeholder network, organized workshops (like September 2021 with Przywidz Commune and Green Gate on aquaponics), conducted research, shared information, and visited Sweden. With project management and environmental innovation expertise, K2 coordinated local efforts, including eco-municipalities and aquaponics facilities.
Project impact
Activities improved BSR resilience by sharing best practices, reducing nutrient runoff, and enhancing urban food security. K2 gained aquaponics skills in Poland’s limited facilities and formed future collaborations. Outcomes enabled pilots, funding, and Green Deal visibility, with the 2023 Riga event showcasing results and Transfarm discussions.
K2 Solutions thanks UCV and partners for their dedication, reinforcing commitment to sustainable maritime and green solutions.
