Rooftop Farming for a Greener City

Rooftop farming is a game-changer for cities, providing a sustainable source of fresh produce while reducing urban heat islands and stormwater runoff.

Rooftop farms can be up to 30% more productive than traditional farms due to optimized growing conditions.

By using hydroponics or aeroponics, rooftop farmers can conserve water and reduce waste.

In New York City, rooftop farms have increased crop yields by 50% compared to traditional farming methods.

These innovative farming methods allow for year-round production, regardless of seasonal changes.

Rooftop farmers can also repurpose underutilized rooftops, transforming them into thriving ecosystems.

New York City is a hub for rooftop farming, with companies like Brooklyn Grange leading the way. They've transformed rooftops into edible paradises, including a farm on top of an Italian restaurant in the city.

Rooftop agriculture is increasingly popular in developed countries like the US, where people are looking for alternative ways to produce food. This trend is especially evident in cities like New York, where rooftops are being turned into gardens.

Brooklyn Grange's farm at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan is a prime example of what can be achieved with rooftop farming. It's a spectacular farm that showcases the potential of urban agriculture.

Rooftop agriculture can have a positive impact on the wellbeing of building residents, providing them with opportunities to socialize and engage in gardening activities. Many people find gardening to be a enjoyable and fulfilling hobby.

In New York City, rooftop farming can also help reduce pollution and expenses associated with trucking food in from the countryside. By producing food locally, cities like New York can become more sustainable and self-sufficient.

Lufa Farms in Montreal is a pioneer in urban rooftop farming, aiming to prove that high-yield, year-round farming is a smarter way to feed cities. They estimate that converting the rooftops of 19 average-sized shopping centers would grow enough veggies for all of Montreal.

Brooklyn Grange in New York City is the largest urban rooftop farm in the world, serving the local community with real organically produced vegetables and fruits. They've sold over 40,000 lbs of veggies to restaurants, CSA members, and the public via weekly farm stands.

Brooklyn Grange's innovative approach extends beyond vegetable production, with a commercial apiary cultivating bees for their honey and a non-profit educational farm hosting thousands of New York's youth for educational tours and workshops each season.

Paris is home to the largest rooftop farm in the city, covering 14,000 square meters. This urban rooftop farm is located on top of Paris Expo's Pavillon 6 in the southern 15th arrondissement.

Parisians are enjoying fresh and organic produce from this rooftop farm, including lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, beets, basil, mint, and other fruits and vegetables.

Nature Urbaine is the initiative behind this innovative project, aiming to reduce Paris' dependence on food supplies from outside the city.

Brussels is a great example of a city taking rooftop farming to the next level. Over sixty species of plants are being cultivated at the Lagum Project, a rooftop garden on top of a supermarket in Brussels.

The Lagum Project has been thriving since March of this year, with over 2 tonnes of produce harvested so far. This fresh produce is distributed to the neighbors and used in 'Refresh', a social restaurant that's part of the Lagum Project.

The sheer amount of produce being harvested is impressive, and it's a testament to the potential of rooftop farming.

Rotterdam is home to the innovative DakAkker rooftop farm, a 1,000 m2 urban oasis that grows organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs.

This remarkable farm also keeps bees, adding to its biodiversity.

The DakAkker's smart roof is an intelligent water storage system that's automatically driven by the weather forecast, helping the city of Rotterdam in its battle against floods.

In Bethlehem, a cramped refugee camp called Aida is home to over 3,000 people living in just 0.7 square kilometers.

The residents of Aida started a rooftop garden in 2014, using the available space to grow their own food.

With the help of pipes and other equipment, the project expanded last year and the residents began using hydroponics to grow their food.

This innovative approach to gardening has improved the community's resilience, even if it doesn't eliminate the need to buy vegetables grown elsewhere.

Brooklyn Grange (NYC) is a shining example of urban rooftop farming. With over two acres of rooftop under cultivation in Brooklyn and Queens, it's one of the largest urban rooftop farms in the world.

One of the standout features of Brooklyn Grange is its commitment to organic and locally produced vegetables and fruits. They've sold over 40,000 lbs of veggies to restaurants, CSA members, and the public via weekly farm stands.

Brooklyn Grange has expanded beyond its mission to grow vegetables, now keeping egg-laying chickens and a commercial apiary, cultivating bees for their honey. This diversification shows the potential for rooftop farms to become self-sustaining ecosystems.

The farm is also an educational hub, hosting thousands of New York's youth for educational tours and workshops each season through its non-profit partner City Growers. This emphasis on education and community engagement is a key part of Brooklyn Grange's success.

Brooklyn, by the way, could be considered the international capital of urban farming, with other notable rooftop farms like Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Greenpoint and Gotham Greens, a rooftop farm with sterile greenhouses that produce over 80 tons of premium quality produce, year-round.

Hydroponic and Vertical Farming are revolutionizing the way we grow food, and rooftop farms are at the forefront of this movement.

In Gauteng, South Africa, Zandile Kumalo's stunning hydroponic rooftop farm is on a mission to make the concrete jungle a little greener. She grows a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs that she distributes to several restaurants and businesses on the floors below her.

Over sixty species of plants are being cultivated at the Lagum Project, a rooftop garden on top of a supermarket in Brussels.

Converting the rooftops of shopping centers can be a game-changer for feeding cities. In Montreal, Lufa Farms is on a mission to prove that high-yield, year-round farming is a smarter, more sustainable, and commercially viable way to feed cities.

Rooftop gardens can even thrive in cramped spaces, like the refugee camp in Bethlehem where residents transformed a rooftop with hydroponics systems.

Urban agriculture is all about growing food in the heart of the city, and rooftop farms are leading the way. Montreal's Lufa Farms has already proven that it's possible to feed a city from the rooftops of shopping malls.

In Hong Kong, more than 60 rooftop farms have sprouted since 2015, providing a local and sustainable food system for a city that imports over 90% of its food. These farms are a great step towards reducing reliance on imported goods.

One notable example is ØsterGro in Copenhagen, which started in 2014 on top of an old car-auction house. This rooftop farm covers 600 square meters with a variety of crops, including organic vegetables, fruits, greens, herbs, and edible flowers.

The community aspect of rooftop farming is also worth highlighting. ØsterGro is a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project, where members receive their weekly harvest from the rooftop.

Johannesburg is a city with a rich history of community-driven urban agriculture, with many residents turning to gardening as a way to access fresh produce and build connections with their neighbors.

The city's first community garden was established in 2006, and since then, numerous gardens have sprouted up across the city, providing a vital source of fresh produce for local communities.

In Johannesburg, community gardens have become a hub for social activity, with many gardens hosting events and workshops that bring residents together.

The city's urban agriculture movement has also been driven by a desire to address food insecurity, with many gardens providing produce to local food banks and soup kitchens.

Johannesburg's community gardens are often located on vacant or underutilized land, providing a creative solution to the city's urban planning challenges.

Many of Johannesburg's community gardens are managed by local non-profit organizations, which provide training and support to gardeners and help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the gardens.

Hong Kong is a great example of urban agriculture in action. More than 60 rooftop farms have sprouted all over the city since 2015.

One of these innovative farms is Rooftop Republic, which has taken the concept to new heights - literally. Their latest project is an urban farm 300 meters above the ground.

For a city that imports more than 90 percent of its food, this is a significant step towards a local and sustainable food system.

Tel Aviv is a hub for urban agriculture, with innovative projects like the 'Green in the City' urban farm on the rooftops of the Dizengoff shopping center.

This farm was founded in 2015 and has been thriving ever since, providing fresh produce to restaurants, shops, and private customers.

In just six years, the farm has become a model for other urban agriculture projects in the city, with hydroponic farms starting to pop up all over Israel.

In Copenhagen, ØsterGro has been a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project since 2014, bringing together farmers, chefs, and citizens on a rooftop farm.

The rooftop farm covers 600 square meters with fields of organic vegetables, fruits, greens, herbs, and edible flowers, a greenhouse, henhouse, and three bee-hives.

Members of the CSA project receive their weekly harvest from the rooftop, while chefs at the restaurant Gro Spiseri turn the fresh harvest into delicious meals.

The fresh produce from ØsterGro is not only enjoyed by members but also by the community, highlighting the potential for urban agriculture to unite people and provide a sustainable food system.

In Hong Kong, more than 60 rooftop farms have sprouted since 2015, showing that urban agriculture can be a viable solution for cities with limited space.

By supporting rooftop farms like ØsterGro, citizens can contribute to a more sustainable food system and enjoy fresh, locally grown produce.

Urban rooftop farming is a game-changer for cities. By utilizing the space on top of buildings, it's possible to grow a significant amount of food for local consumption.

In Montreal, Lufa Farms is working towards feeding the entire city from the rooftops of shopping malls, with 4 farms already up and running. They aim to convert 19 average-sized shopping centers into high-yield, year-round farms.

Rooftop agriculture is gaining popularity worldwide, with 185 examples identified across the globe. Most of these are found in North America and Europe, with South America having the lowest number.

The benefits of rooftop farming are numerous, including improving urban living quality and providing a source of fresh, local produce. In Hong Kong, over 60 rooftop farms have sprouted since 2015, helping to reduce the city's reliance on imported food.

One of the most impressive examples of rooftop farming is the ØsterGro project in Copenhagen, which covers 600 square meters and includes a greenhouse, henhouse, and bee-hives. This community-supported agriculture project provides fresh produce to members and a local restaurant.

Rooftop farms can be classified into two types: open-air and greenhouses. Open-air farms are easier to construct and less expensive, but greenhouses provide protection from harsh weather conditions.

Here are some of the main objectives of rooftop cultivation:

Indigenous Australians are taking the lead in urban agriculture, creating innovative and sustainable food production systems.

The Yerrabingin rooftop farm in Australia is a prime example of this, being the first Indigenous rooftop farm in the country.

Built on a 500 square meter rooftop space, this farm uses the principles of Indigenous knowledge, collaborative design, and permaculture to produce urban food.

This project not only provides fresh produce to the community but also serves as a hub for cultural exchange and education.

The name Yerrabingin, meaning 'we walk together', reflects the collaborative spirit behind this initiative.