Urban agriculture (UA), rooftop gardens, and community farming initiatives are increasingly recognized as innovative strategies to enhance local food security, mitigate urban heat islands, and foster social cohesion within cities. These practices utilize underexploited urban spaces to produce food, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture and contributing to the resilience of urban communities.
Key Insights:
- Urban agriculture is perceived differently by stakeholders; some view it as a social activity, while others emphasize its potential for food production and urban fertility, particularly through urban rooftop farming (URF).
- Building-Integrated Agriculture (BIA) in urban contexts can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional supply chains, especially when using high-tech solutions like rooftop greenhouses and vertical farms.
- Commercial urban rooftop farming (URF) is gaining popularity for its role in enhancing food security and reducing environmental impacts, with hydroponic systems in greenhouses being a common approach.
- Rooftop farming can improve urban food security and sustainability by utilizing green water and energy, demonstrating the potential for significant reductions in urban resource consumption.
- Rooftop greenhouses in educational centers can contribute to sustainability and provide environmental, social, and nutritional education, with a dynamic assessment tool aiding in the selection process for potential installations.
- Stakeholders perceive various risks associated with rooftop agriculture (RA), including urban integration, production systems, food products, environmental impacts, and economic viability, highlighting the need for informed policymaking and communication.
- Rooftop farming can serve as a tool for urban regeneration, offering social and environmental benefits, and supporting community inclusion and resilience.
- In cities like Dhaka, rooftop gardening is identified as a viable strategy for urban agriculture to promote food security, with policy interventions needed to stimulate its growth.
- Rooftop agriculture is an interdisciplinary field with diverse approaches and benefits, contributing to the planning of future sustainable cities.
- The integration of rooftop agriculture with urban infrastructure requires consideration of technical factors and potential synergies with other urban systems.
Conclusion:
Urban agriculture, particularly rooftop farming, presents a multifaceted opportunity to address several urban challenges. It can enhance local food security, reduce environmental impacts, and promote social benefits. However, the success of these initiatives depends on stakeholder perceptions, technical integration, and supportive policies. By addressing perceived risks and leveraging technological advancements, urban agriculture can be effectively scaled up and integrated into urban planning, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of cities.