In this episode of Razor, we explore the importance of creating earthquake-resilient buildings – a particularly pertinent issue in developing countries where building materials are limited by cost and availability. 

In Nepal, the devastating 2015 earthquake flattened whole neighborhoods and villages when centuries-old monuments and temples collapsed. Shini Somara talks to Anastasios Sextos, a professor at Bristol University, and his colleagues at the SAFER Nepal Project, who are working with communities to avoid future devastation by using seismic engineering to make existing structures safer for residents. One approach in particular has been successful – building on layers of plastic and sand.

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Also in this episode, we explore vertical farming, which is a high-density application of new technologies in controlled-climate conditions, usually indoors. Instead of fields of crops, picture futuristically stacked trays of watercress, sage, basil and other small herbs and crops, boosted by hydroponics while completely avoiding herbicides and pesticides. 

RAZOR's Frankie McCamley visits Vertical Future, a London-based operation that has been running a vertical farm since 2017, growing fresh produce for local restaurants. By refining and improving systems, Vertical Future has redesigned many elements of vertical farms with the plan to sell hardware and software to future growers across the world.