Redeveloping Unused Historical Sites in Major Urban Centers

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the downtowns of many major North American cities are still left with scars. As a result of more people working from home, shopping online, and spending time indoors, thousands of vacant office spaces, shops, and lots now sit in urban centers. Additionally, the inflation of essential goods due to COVID-19 has made it imperative that cities offer more affordable food options, especially in heavily urbanized areas. These prices have been further impacted by the cost of transporting farm produce from rural areas, causing such produce to be much more expensive than in rural areas [13]. As a result, urban farming has recently gained appeal as a feasible method for urban food production. To address the difficulties of limited arable land in a dense urban center, this paper proposes the repurposing of a historical building in downtown Chicago. A vertical farm will be developed in the space as an integral part of the community rather than just an area to grow plants. Ultimately, the design will look to expand the capacity for urbanization and allow for the growth of locally produced fresh produce. In its redevelopment, the design takes into consideration sustainability, the challenges of repurposing a historic structure, and the possible economic, social, and environmental effects of this renewal project.