In Medellín, a neighbourhood cooperative has converted a narrow strip beside a tram depot into a food-growing space. Fig. 1 shows the layout. Vegetable beds...
Question 1 Report
In Medellín, a neighbourhood cooperative has converted a narrow strip beside a tram depot into a food-growing space. Fig. 1 shows the layout. Vegetable beds are filled with compost from nearby fruit stalls. A canopy collects rainwater in a raised barrel, and a drip pipe carries this water slowly to the beds. The project sells herbs locally and gives surplus produce to a community kitchen. This small scheme cannot feed the whole city, whose population is measured in millions, but it may reduce some food transport and make use of land that was previously sealed by concrete. The cooperative is monitoring whether the project improves the local urban environment.
Fig. 1 Food-growing project beside a tram depot.
(a) Identify the method used to deliver water to the vegetable beds. [1]
(b) Describe two ways in which the project reuses resources. [2]
(c) Explain how the project could contribute to sustainable urban development in Medellín. [4]
Answer Details
(a) Water is delivered by drip irrigation, using a drip pipe. This method releases water slowly and close to the plants' roots. [1]
(b) This asks for resources that are collected, recovered or brought back into use rather than wasted. Two valid ways are:
- Rainwater is collected by the canopy and stored in the barrel for irrigating the vegetable beds. [1]
- Waste from nearby fruit stalls is made into compost, which is then used in the beds. [1]
It is also valid to identify the previously unused land beside the depot being used, or surplus food being supplied to the community kitchen. Any two gain the marks.
(c) Sustainable urban development meets present needs while reducing environmental pressures and supporting people in the city. The project can contribute in several connected ways:
- Food is grown close to consumers, so it can reduce the distance food travels and therefore reduce transport energy use. [1]
- Turning fruit waste into compost diverts organic waste from landfill. [1]
- Harvesting rainwater reduces demand for treated mains water. [1]
- Drip irrigation limits water loss because water is supplied slowly and directly to the beds. [1]
Other creditworthy points include using previously sealed or neglected urban land, improving local food availability and food security, improving the appearance of the area through plants, and strengthening the local community through cooperation. The scheme is not claimed to feed all of Medellín; its sustainability lies in these local environmental and social benefits.
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