urban rooftop agriculture

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Green roof

Urban rooftop agriculture may be the best solution to feeding people who live in cities.

That garden is my roof

Eagle Street Rooftop Farm (video) in Brooklyn is a good example.

Green roofing is expanding, especially in cities. There aren’t many places for parks and gardens in cities, but there are plenty of roofs. So why not put gardens on the roofs of building creating new places to enjoy growing things and help reduce heating and cooling costs for the building. With a bit of exploration and planning, making a green roof is a good option for many buildings. Just follow the steps in the [/Engineering%20Design%20Process Engineering Design Process].

  • Ask (What? Ask questions, understand the need, identify the problem, define) – There are many different ways to make a green roof. The Eagle Street Rooftop Farm had to be light weight as well as watertight. What is the climate where the green roof will be made? How much rain do they get? Do they get snow?
  • Imagine (So what? Imagine, brainstorm, explore, discover) – Suppose you could have a farm in the city close to where people live and work. How would you get the community involved in the project? Could you sell vegetables to help pay for the costs? Who will see the roof? What do they want to grow in the garden?

Construction sample of a green roof system
  • Plan (Now what? Plan, design) – The roof consists of several different layers of materials to protect the building and allow the plants to grow. What kind of plants will grow best in this location?
  • Create (Do it. Create, try it out) – The roof is just covered in dirt. There are several layers of different materials, each with a role in the roof covering. Drainage is an important consideration. How well does the green roof work? Are there any special problems in building the roof?
  • Improve (If this then what? Improve, make it better) – Plants are good but chickens and rabbits can live in this garden in the city too. What would make the green roof better? Can this roof be adapted for other locations in the same city?

That’s engineering

  • Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area. Many agricultural soils need drainage to improve production or to manage water supplies.

Engineering ideas

  • bio-degradation, compostable materials, sustainability, heating, cooling, drainage

Do it
Here are some challenges for you to work on…

  • find examples of green roof solutions. What are the important features of the green roofs you found? Can these roofs be installed in other locations?
  • make a model of the green roof technology. Use real plants and simulate the conditions of an actual roof

Learn more…

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