This idea is based on addressing food insecurity, high carbon emissions of imported food, health problems from lack of green spaces (both mental and physical), as well as general climate mitigation and adaptation.

Each community of 500 people will share a ‘community green, which can be built through robust legislation in taking over long derelict land or even on the rooftops of buildings, as has been mandated in Copenhagen. There is also scope for parking areas/lots to be transformed. Through all this, even the most densely populated urban areas will have space for people to collectively grow their own food, using organic and permaculture methods. The planting of trees will have the biggest impact on climate mitigation, as they act as a carbon sink, whilst more localised food consumption and distribution will reduce emissions from food importation and other negative outputs of sourcing food from thousands of miles away. Use of composting and waste recycling will be integral to these spaces, thus helping to address the issue of methane emissions from landfill and food waste.

The wellbeing benefits for communities from this idea will be immense, and there are also a range of educational opportunities for all ages. The potential for such spaces to be fitted with decentralised renewable energy facilities is also great, whether that be solar, wind or even utilising the emissions from food waste to convert into fuel for transport (as is already being done with many public buses across the world).

This idea therefore addresses multiple needs, whilst offering a plethora of benefits. It is low cost, financially sustainable and able to create a meaningful long-term impact on climate change, both on reducing emissions and improving the resilience of communities.

Website: https://arkbound.ac.uk/