A new urban model developed by researchers at Concordia University in Montreal demonstrates how neighbourhoods can achieve near-complete vegetable self-sufficiency and cut carbon emissions by 98%. The framework, detailed in the journal *Sustainability*, combines the 15-minute city concept with localized food production and renewable energy. By repurposing small portions of existing urban spaces for agriculture and using solar-powered electric vehicles for delivery, the model presents a viable strategy for creating resilient, low-carbon communities where fresh food and daily needs are within a short walk from home.
The study integrates four key elements: the 15-minute city principle, urban agriculture, solar-powered electric transport, and local food markets. According to the research team, led by Caroline Hachem-Vermette, this approach aims to bring daily necessities closer to residents, thereby reducing their reliance on fossil-fuel-powered transportation. The model significantly shortens the food supply chain, moving away from a dependence on long-haul trucks and toward a system where produce is grown, delivered, and sold within the same community.
To test their framework, the researchers applied it to West 5, an existing neighbourhood in London, Ontario. Their calculations showed that dedicating just 13.8% of rooftops, 10% of building facades for vertical farming, and 15% of unused lots to cultivation would be sufficient to meet the local demand for vegetables. The system relies on a fleet of electric vehicles, powered by solar panels embedded in sidewalks, to transport harvested produce to farmers’ markets and stores located within one kilometer of most residences.
The economic and environmental benefits are substantial. The solar-powered delivery system is projected to pay for itself in less than three years, after which it generates clean electricity at a low cost. The model achieves a significant environmental impact, eliminating one unit of carbon dioxide emissions for every 0.19 units of food grown and consumed locally. Faisal Kabir, the master’s student who designed the model, noted that its transparency is crucial for engaging community members in the planning of mixed-use neighbourhoods.
Beyond the technical and environmental advantages, the framework is designed to foster social cohesion. Hachem-Vermette highlights that growing and sharing food locally strengthens neighbourhood bonds and builds community resilience. The research, which builds on nearly a decade of work, provides city planners with a practical metric to evaluate different design strategies. The team plans to expand the model to incorporate workplaces, schools, and health facilities, with the ultimate goal of creating interconnected clusters of self-reliant neighbourhoods that share resources across a balanced urban network.