Rooftop Greenhouses as Ecosystems

Agriculture in industrialized countries faces numerous challenges: an increasing urban population, erratic weather patterns stemming from climate change, a decreasing number of farmers and loss of arable land. Current practices in industrial farming exacerbate environmental degradation, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, habitat destruction, water contamination, and the loss of biodiversity. Urgent action is imperative to address these issues, necessitating a fundamental transformation in food production and distribution methods, particularly considering escalating urbanization trends.

Urban agriculture plays a crucial role by repurposing city spaces for farming, preserving natural environments beyond urban boundaries, and providing local food access to consumers. Rooftop greenhouses emerge as a particularly promising solution in temperate and cold climates, extending the growing season for various vegetables such as tomatoes, salads, herbs, and cucumbers, even during the winter months. Additionally, rooftop greenhouses facilitate water harvesting and maximize the utilization of free sunlight, covering approximately half of their lighting requirements. Furthermore, they contribute to energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling demands for both the greenhouse itself and the host building.

This book delves into rooftop greenhouse technology, a promising frontier for future urban food production. It conducts a thorough examination of its benefits and limitations, addressing pivotal factors for planners, engineers, urban farmers, and architects. These encompass the necessity of a robust business strategy, streamlined produce distribution, and technical intricacies like cultivation technique, building structure, access, glazing, and shading to mitigate overheating or light pollution. Moreover, it addresses horticultural aspects such as cultivation systems and plant protection. Additionally, the book explores social and sustainability aspects, alongside urban planning considerations. In summary, it furnishes a comprehensive overview of rooftop greenhouse technology and its ramifications for urban landscapes.