Report: Urban Rooftop Agriculture

DYRK Nørrebro – First rooftop garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo by Nathali Lehmann Schumann.

By Nathali Lehmann Schumann
Prepared for AgroTech. This report is the outcome of a 13-week internship, as part of the study ‘Bachelor’s Degree in Global Nutrition and Health’ – Metropolitan University College Copenhagen
August 2011

Excerpts from Abstract:

A literature review, four semi-structured interviews, meetings, and a single field visit were conducted in order to investigate the current situation of the phenomenon urban rooftop agriculture(URA) including benefits and challenges. How URA is and can be implemented in order to promote a sustainable food system were also examined.

Examples from Copenhagen, London, New York and Vancouver are included.

Based on the experience from the Copenhagen, London, New York, 18 recommendations were developed for Denmark in order to create a solid base and stepping stone for future desired development and visions, which should include URA.

DYRK Nørrebro – First rooftop garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo by Nathali Lehmann Schumann.

DYRK Nørrebro is located on the roof of Blagardsgade School in Copenhagen.

“One square meter with soil – and it can even be on a balcony – should be sufficient enough to grow salad for two during the summer. And let’s say that 50% of the people in Copenhagen grow their own salad, then it is quite some trucks from Italy, which can be spared.” DYRK Nørrebro (Interview, 2011)

See the report(50 pages) here – large download.

Facebook page for DYRK Nørrebro.