The FOCUSE team on the First Programme of Polish Radio (Jedynka)
On 12 January 2026, the FOCUSE team, consisting of dr hab. Alicja Krzemińska and dr inż. Anna Zaręba, representing the University of Wrocław – Institute of Geography and Regional Development, appeared on the programme „Eureka” broadcast on the First Programme of Polish Radio (Jedynka), hosted by J. Domaradzki.
The discussion focused on underground agriculture within the urban fabric, and the title of the broadcast was: Miasto, które karmi: od podziemnych farm po balkony. Jak zbudować odporny system żywnościowy? During the programme, issues related to the use of underground urban spaces for food production were addressed – from tunnels and bunkers, through adapted infrastructural spaces, to specialised underground hydroponic and aeroponic farms. The conversation concerned not only technology, but also a change in the way cities are perceived as systems that can actively participate in food production.
Dr inż. Anna Zaręba and dr hab. Alicja Krzemińska discussed the benefits arising from the development of underground urban agriculture, such as reduced water consumption, increased resilience to climate change, efficient use of unused urban spaces, and improved urban food security. Attention was also drawn to the challenges, limitations and conditions that must be met for such solutions to be implemented responsibly and in the long term.
The aim of the programme was to demonstrate that underground agriculture can become an integral part of modern cities – not as a technological curiosity, but as a space for production, innovation and regeneration. In the context of progressing climate change, a shift in how urban resources, food and the future of life under environmental crisis conditions are perceived is becoming increasingly important. Future cities should not only consume, but also produce, protect their resources and build the resilience of their infrastructure – including that located underground.
The programme was based on research results from the project: „Produkcja i zaopatrzenie w żywność za pośrednictwem systemów miejskich o obiegu zamkniętym w europejskich miastach” [acronym: FOCUSE], funded by the National Centre for Research and Development under the DUT Call 2022 programme, with a total budget of PLN 1,125,906.50. Project duration: 1 February 2024 – 31 January 2027.
The broadcast can be accessed via the link.
Date of publication: 22.01.2026
Added by: M.K.
