In the heart of Germany, a novel approach to sustainable urban development is taking root, quite literally, in the form of vertical farming within the hollowed-out shells of former department stores. This innovative concept, explored in a recent study led by Hanna Bonekämper of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), could revolutionize how we think about repurposing vacant retail spaces and, potentially, reshape the energy sector and the broader construction industry.
The digital age has transformed shopping habits, leaving many department stores empty and their futures uncertain. However, Bonekämper’s research, published in the journal Frontiers in Built Environment, offers a fresh perspective on adaptive reuse. “The challenge with department stores,” Bonekämper explains, “is their layout, particularly the building depth, which limits natural light penetration.” This makes them seemingly unsuitable for many conventional reuse purposes. But vertical farming, a technology that integrates food production into urban environments, could be the key to unlocking their potential.
The study focuses on a specific case: a former department store in Wuppertal, Germany. Through a meticulous site analysis and an iterative design process, Bonekämper and her team explored how vertical farming could be integrated into the building’s structural conditions. The results are compelling: floor plans, elevations, and visualizations that reveal how these once-obsolete structures could become hubs of sustainable food production.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. Vertical farming is energy-intensive, but integrating it into existing infrastructure could reduce the overall carbon footprint compared to new construction. Moreover, these urban farms could benefit from the existing grid infrastructure, potentially decreasing the strain on rural areas where new farms might otherwise be built.
The potential for mixed-use urban development is also substantial. Imagine a cityscape where vertical farms coexist with residential and commercial spaces, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both the environment and the economy. This could lead to a new era of sustainable urban development, where vacant buildings are not just repurposed but transformed into vital components of a greener, more efficient urban ecosystem.
Bonekämper’s work underscores the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in tackling urban challenges. “This contribution provides an interdisciplinary concept that uncovers further research questions,” she notes, highlighting the need for continued exploration in this field.
As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of urbanization and sustainability, this research offers a glimmer of hope. By reimagining the potential of vacant department stores, we could be on the cusp of a new era in sustainable urban development, one where old buildings are not just preserved but given new life in a way that benefits both people and the planet.