From Waste to Resource: Replicable Circular Systems for Composting, Cultivation, and Community Empowerment - EDIBLE CITIES
Edible Cities is creating a compact, modular vertical garden with integrated composting for shared urban spaces. By transforming kitchen waste into fertile soil and fresh food on-site, it supports circular economy practices, urban biodiversity, citizen engagement, and climate-positive behaviours through accessible and replicable public infrastructure.
The way cities manage organic waste and food production is often fragmented, space-intensive, and disconnected from everyday urban life. At Edible Cities, we believe a different approach is needed. We are developing a compact, modular vertical garden with an integrated composting system that enables citizens to transform everyday kitchen scraps into fertile soil on-site while simultaneously growing fresh, healthy vegetables and plants.
Our vision is to empower communities to actively participate in circular economy practices through visible and accessible infrastructure embedded in public parks, housing complexes, schools, courtyards, community centers, and urban regeneration projects. By combining vermicomposting and vertical cultivation into a single living system, organic waste, worms, microorganisms, and plants interact in a continuous regenerative cycle that reduces organic waste sent to landfills, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports local food production and green infrastructure.
Conceived as urban furniture, Edible Cities brings people together around shared environmental practices. Developed in close collaboration with local communities, the system responds to real-world needs rather than abstract models. Through participatory design, sustainable materials, and low-maintenance solutions, the project fosters environmental education, citizen engagement, climate-positive behaviours, and micro-pockets of urban biodiversity, while offering municipalities a visible, replicable, and resilient model for sustainable public spaces.
About
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Team Biography
The consortium of Edible Cities brings together a hybrid team of designers, community facilitators, and technology experts with proven capacity to deliver innovative, participatory, and replicable solutions in line with the LAUDS objectives.
Project Lead: Akasha Hub Barcelona
A grassroots social innovation organization within the Barcelona + Sostenible network, empowering citizens to co-create sustainable urban solutions. It manages three spaces in Barcelona: A hub dedicated to dialogue and coworking, a community lab for technological and organic experimentation, and a public educational garden licensed by the Barcelona City Council.Design & Innovation: Felipe Araya (Lead Industrial Designer)
Industrial designer with over 20 years of experience in public space and participatory projects in Chile and Europe. He leads the design of the modular system, integrating spatial design, prototyping and community-led processes to ensure functional, aesthetic and participatory outcomes.Technology Provider: CitySens Designs S.L. (SME)
An award-winning SME specializing in modular urban gardening systems and circular materials made from recycled waste, materials research and technical systems integration. With a strong focus on local manufacturing, inclusive production, and user-centered design, it brings innovation, sustainability, and social impact together. -
Team Member list
- María Paz Gardiazabal, Akasha Hub;
- Beatriz Irarrazaval, Akasha Hub;
- Carmen Tanaka, Akasha Hub;
- Felipe Araya, Lead industrial designer;
- Xavier Ruis, CitySens Designs S.L.;
- Cynthia Carbonell, CitySens Designs S.L.
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Useful links
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Maria Paz Gardiazabal Biography
Maria Paz Gardiazabal is a regenerative agriculture specialist with more than ten years of hands-on experience in organic farming, soil health, and composting. She has led sustainable projects across Europe with a strong focus on closed-loop systems and biodiversity.
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Beatriz Irarrazaval Biography
Beatriz Irarrazaval is an entrepeneur and a social climate impact consultant with thirteen years of experience in fundraising, project design & management, evaluation, learning and strategic partnership. She is an active member of Barcelona’s climate entrepreneur ecosystem.
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Carmen Tanaka Biography
Carmen Tanaka, Akasha Hub project manager, is a publicist and cultural producer, specialized in technology applied to the arts, public and sustainability in business.
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Cynthia Carbonell Biography
Cynthia Carbonell, is the comercial director of Citysens. She is a business development and strategic partnerships specialist with over ten years of experience driving growth through key account management, market analysis, and tailored commercial strategies. She has built long-term partnerships across diverse sectors
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Xavier Rius Biography
Xavier Rius, Co-founder & Director of Citysens, PhD in Chemistry, His career combines science, innovation, and sustainability, with a strong commitment to generating positive impact through biophilia, the circular economy, eco-design, and social innovation.
