Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2019·Global

Rooftop urban agriculture for the small stakeholder

Jake Mowrer, Jeremy Merrill, Don Conlee, Joseph Marble, Bruce Dvorak

Journal of Living Architecture

Urban Farm DB summary

Against the backdrop of urban agriculture's potential to benefit inner-city communities by reducing food transport distance, raising awareness of food production, and improving nutrition, health, and economic status, this study grew green beans, cantaloupe, eggplant, squash, and tomatoes in a rooftop garden. The results indicate that water source quality and rooftop climatic conditions (solar-induced temperature rise) can limit the success of untrained rooftop gardeners. The study concludes that outreach and educational materials on overcoming these obstacles will be necessary to help untrained urban agriculture farmers establish productive gardens in rooftop environments.