Rooftop Gardening

Needs Address

• Food security
• Stabilised and/or increased productivity 

Adaptation effects

• Improves food security by increasing food production options
• Particularly important resource when crops on the ground are inundated by flooding
• Particularly beneficial in urban areas, where space is limited
• Can improve economic resilience through providing an alternative source of income

Overview and Features

Growing of crops in plants and beds on roof tops to provide an alternative source of food for household and community use. 

Cost

• Cost of plants, crops and other equipment
• Human resources
• Costs for training

Energy source

• Human resources
• Solar

Ease of maintenance

Requires ongoing attention and care

Technology performance

Provides an alternative source of food

Considerations

• Requires knowhow and a detailed understanding suitable crops
• Requires access to water resources in periods of low rainfall

Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries

• Reduce surface temperature, which can contribute to reduced urban heat island effects in urban environments
• Contribute to carbon sequestration
• Contributes to air quality improvement and energy saving through providing a source of insulation
• Great potential in developing countries where architectural styles often dictate flat, open rooftops

Information Resources

RUAF Foundation, .n.d. City adaptation to climate change. Webpage. Available from: http://www.ruaf.org/city-adaptation-climate-change [20 January 2015]