Urban Farm Cart Part 1

Here are some images from my early design ideas for the Urban Farm Cart. I imagined it as part of a larger network, where each cart could 'plug-in' to a city-owned and maintained Urban Farm Cart station. These stations, powered by solar photovoltaic panels and would provide electricity and water hook-up for urban farmers wishing to use them in order to sell their produce. The designated locations would be chosen by the city and community as the best spots for commerce, safe and efficient traffic flow and optimal sun exposure for the solar collectors.

As I worked on this early stage of the project, I focused on Little Village, a neighbourhood located in the City of Chicago. This is a predominantly Mexican community that is vibrant but in need of more economic opportunities; it is feeling the effects of the ailing U.S. economy and the current immigration policy that is forcing undocumented workers further into the informal sector. I saw thus network of Urban Farm Carts, Farmers and Farm Stations as an opportunity to create sustainable business opportunities for the residents as well as a way to turn empty lots and underutilized backyards and rooftops into create healthy green spaces.