BIGH was defined by Steven Beckers based on 12 criteria that define the most important aspects of the circular economy, both as a demonstrator and as a functional and sustainable urban healthy food production.
The aquaponic farm, which grows fruits and vegetables without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, while absorbing natural nutrients from the associated fish production through a biofilter, prohibits the use of antibiotics.
The main features of the project are the combination of:
- using 50 times less water than comparable production
- climate control in the greenhouses and aqua-culture in terms of cooling of the buildings
- use of upcyclable healthy materials and disassembly of the buildings in the technological cycle
- enhancement of all biological nutrients
- optimization of property value by improving the carbon footprint of the buildings over time by capturing CO2 reducing the heat island effect
- adding a mix of applications
- using renewable energy sources (PV, solar)
- supporting biodiversity with integrated pest management
- reducing logistics and cold chain from farm to table
- creating jobs and training
- supporting the social economy
- creating duplicative capacity and scalability
