A Switzerland-based design group is bringing back the geodesic dome in a big way with an aquaponic greenhouse that can be placed on just about any flat roof, Zak Stone reports.
For all the press it has received, urban farming is often portrayed as a practice consisting solely of elbow grease and some vacant land. And while it may not require any more than that at the bare minimum, promises of truly land-efficient urban food production come most often in the form of forward-thinking structures that are designed to make good use of limited space. Where, then, can grassroots and high design find common ground to grow on?
Enter the Globe / Hedron, by Zürich-based Conceptual Devices. The geodesic dome "would house an aquaponics system," Stone writes – "a mini-ecosystem in which plants clean the water where fish swim and fish waste fertilizes the plants – capable of feeding 16 people year-round. The unique structure of the dome... would support the weight of the fish tank, enabling installation on flat roofs without adapting the structure of the building."
"Panels on the dome's exterior would provide both shade and insulation, allowing the the structure to adapt to local environments, while the compact size and easy assembly would enable it to be shipped around the world."
FULL STORY: A Geodesic Dome Promises Fish from the Sky

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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