Future Farms

The vision highlights the potential of urban farming and technological advancements like vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture. These innovations enable high yields and efficient use of space, allowing food to grow in building cores, surrounded by other programmes. This approach could lead to compact cities where supermarkets and restaurants grow their own produce, reducing distribution needs and ensuring quality control.

In rural areas, advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and geo-mapping are transforming traditional farming. Robots could maintain and harvest crops, while geo-mapping identifies optimal land use, potentially reshaping landscapes for efficiency. These technologies redefine the farmer’s role, shifting from hands-on labour to managing operations from specialised control centres.

Future Farms envisions flagship locations within the Holland Metropole regional network, combining production, distribution, education, and public engagement. These hubs could include research facilities, food markets, startup incubators, and debate centres, fostering innovation and knowledge sharing.

This vision offers a framework for rethinking food production and its integration into urban and rural settings, inspiring further dialogue on sustainable and efficient farming practices for the future.