October 20, 2009

Rooftop Agriculture: Greenroofs as Productive Envelopes

Daniel Roehr MBCSLA CSLA AK-B

Assistant Professor, Landscape Architect
Greenskins Lab
School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
University of British Columbia

Growing fruits and vegetables on rooftops has a number of benefits similar to those of an
extensive green roof, such as retaining rainwater, improving air quality and biodiversity,
increasing thermal resistance. In addition, they provide local and organic food, training and
education opportunities to a community, and, potentially, create jobs. However, green roofs
intended for agricultural use need to be designed in close relation to local climate. This study
explores the potential for green roof agriculture based on local rainfall and irrigation needs in
coastal cities on the Pacific Rim, such as Shanghai, P.R. China, Tokyo, Japan and Vancouver, BC.

• Shanghai, P.R. China:

The average annual precipitation is 1255mm. A large percentage (78%) of this is generated
from April to October. The annual rainfall would largely cover the water needs of crops. During
a year with average rainfall, high water use crops would require 182mm of additional irrigation
per year. To create a sustainable water cycle for rooftop agriculture in this location, it is
therefore recommended to store a small amount of rainwater for irrigation needs.

• Tokyo, Japan:
The average annual precipitation is 1482mm. Most of it (84%) falls from April to October. The
annual rainfall would largely cover the water needs of crops. During a year with average
rainfall, high water use crops would require 77mm of additional irrigation per year. Rooftop
agriculture in this location does not necessarily require rainwater storage or grey water
recycling.

• Vancouver, BC, Canada:

The average annual precipitation is 1224mm, but only 24% of this falls from April to October.
The annual rainfall would not cover the water needs of crops. During a year with average
rainfall, high water use crops would require 717mm of additional irrigation per year. To create
a sustainable water cycle for rooftop agriculture in this location, it is vital to provide rainwater
storage and grey water recycling.

© Greenskin Lab

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Calculated results show that both Shanghai and Tokyo are appropriate locations for green roof
agriculture, as they both experience an important amount of rainfall during the summer
months when irrigation is most urgently needed. Due to scarce rainfall during the summer
months in Vancouver, water re-use - by means of winter rainwater storage or grey water
recycling - will be needed to cover irrigation needs.

Even though cities like Vancouver require additional technology for green roof agriculture to
attain a largely self-sustaining water use cycle, many case studies show that green roof
agriculture can create successful “productive” green envelopes that have the potential to offer
additional benefits such as community involvement, job creation and environmental
improvement.

For more detailed information, please contact Greenskins Lab at

www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca

© Greenskin Lab

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Rooftop Agriculture: Greenroofs as Productive Envelopes

PV

Green Roof Agriculture:

1 Sustainable Cycle H2O
CR
OP Produce crop & $
Increase thermal
performance
· Rainwater harvesting Grow community
· PV energy for irrigation and building Educate
· Benefits (Social, Environmental, Economic) Bu
ild
ing

2 Climate: precipitation

Pacific Ocean

Shanghai, P.R. China Tokyo, Japan Vancouver, BC

Annual precipitation: Annual precipitation: Annual precipitation:
1255mm 1482mm 1224mm

400 mm

0 mm Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Shanghai, P.R.China Tokyo, Japan Vancouver, BC

© Greenskin Lab

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

3 Rainwate Storage and Crop Water Need

Green roof agriculture vs. urban farm

· No infiltration
· Limited soil depth and water retention capacity
· Limited availability of organic matter

Potential rainwater available for storage

Crop water need (Evapotranspiration)
Irrigation requirement

400 mm

0 mm
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Shanghai, P.R.China Tokyo, Japan Vancouver, BC

462mm
Grey water

182mm
H2O
H2O 77mm H2O

Annual irrigation Shanghai Rainwater Tokyo Not required Vancouver, BC Rainwater

requirement P.R. China cistern Japan Canada cistern

© Greenskin Lab

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Rooftop Agriculture: Greenroofs as Productive Envelopes

4 Case studies

Hakutsuru Sake Company Rooftop

Ginza, Tokyo

Key benefits:
economic, social
Size: 70 sq m

Objective:
Create a rooftop rice field to
demonstrate how rice grows and is
used to brew sake. Provide education
and information opportunities.

-- City Farmer Info

Hakutsuru Sake Company Rooftop
http://www.cityfarmer.info Ginza, Tokyo

The Green Potato Project

Tokyo

Key benefits:
economic, environmental

The Green Potato Project

Objective: Tokyo

Create a rooftop farm that offers a

source of jobs as well as a solution for
the urban heat island effect.

-- City Farmer Info

http://www.cityfarmer.info

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Organic Rooftop Farm

Uncommon Ground Restaurant
Chicago, IL

Key benefits:
economic, social, environmental

Objective:
Create a rooftop farm that caters to
the needs of the restaurant and
teaches adult volunteers and children
how to grow food organically in a
rooftop environment.

-- City Farmer Info Organic Rooftop Farm

Uncommon Ground Restaurant
http://www.cityfarmer.info
Chicago, IL

YWCA Rooftop Community Food Garden

Vancouver, BC

Key benefits:
social, economic, environmental YWCA Rooftop Community Food Garden
Size: 300 sq m Vancouver, BC

Objective:
Create a rooftop garden that provides
produce to supplement the diets of
women and children on the
Downtown Eastside, and teaches
adults and children how to grow food
in a rooftop environment.

-- YWCA Vancouver
http://www.ywcavan.org

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Roofop Agriculture: Greenroofs as Productive Envelopes

City Farm Boy

Urban Agriculture CSA
Vancouver, BC

Key benefits:
economic, environmental

Objective:
Run an urban farming as Community
Supported Agriculture enterprise,
promoting urban agriculture, farming
and gardening as a viable and
environmentally positive way to
enhance landscapes and lifestyles.

-- City Farm Boy

http://www.cityfarmboy.com

City Farm Boy

Vancouver, BC

Rooftop Kitchen Garden

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Vancouver, BC

Key benefits:
economic, environmental
Size: 195 sq m Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Vancouver, BC

Objective:
Supply the hotel kitchen with fruit,
vegetable, herbs and honey. Current
yield worth about $16,000 annually.

-- City Farmer Info

http://www.cityfarmer.info

greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca
October 20, 2009

Greenpoint Rooftop Farm

Brooklyn, NY

Key benefits:
economic, environmental
Size: 557 sq m

Objective:
Sell produce to local restaurants, and
involve volunteers.

- City Farmer Info

http://www.cityfarmer.info

Greenpoint Rooftop Farm

Brooklyn, NY
greenskins lab
www.greenskinslab.sala.ubc.ca