BIGH “Ferme Abattoir” in BRUSSELS
BIGH has raised 4.3 million euros to integrate aquaponic farms within cities. The Abattoir Farm, the first BIGH production site, is
located on the roof of the Foodmet, the new food hall of the Abattoir site in Anderlecht, on a surface of 4000m2.
There are 2000m2 of horticultural greenhouse
and fish farm, and 2000m2 of productive vegetable gardens. Together they form the largest urban rooftop farm in Europe. The construction of the BIGH Anderlecht Farm started in July 2017 and ended in February 2018. In recent years, consumers have been demanding healthier, local and traceable food. With this in mind, BIGH's urban aquaponic farms offer fish farming and the production of fruits, vegetables and herbs, 100% naturally and without any chemicals, on one roof. This unique positioning of BIGH aims at distributing high quality products locally but also at inspiring city dwellers to think about where their food comes from.
BIGH was set up in 2015 to respond to the need to optimize buildings and their real estate value and make the city productive. BIGH integrates greenhouses onto buildings, taking advantage of loss energy, capturing CO2, and recovering rainwater for on site use. Using these methods, the ecological footprint of the whole building is drastically diminished and quality of life in the city, employment, aesthetics, climate and biodiversity are improved.
This unique approach, an illustration of circular economy in our cities, meant BIGH was selected in May 2017 from more than 320
candidates, to be one of 10 finalists in the 2017 Radicale Vernieuwers competition.
BIGH believes in a genuine transition towards a sustainable food system. To do this, a network of partners and stakeholders has been created around BIGH to achieve synergies between countryside and city, between experts and producers and between the various players in the food system.
For visit please Contact ATOI Members located in Belgium: [email protected]
