Dissertation Uf PDF

ARCHITECTURE FOR
URBAN FARMING
A DISSERTATION REPORT
Submitted by
VISHNU PRIYA.N
AC15UAR111
in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree
of
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (B.ARCH)
in
ADHIYAMAAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, HOSUR
(Autonomous)
ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI 600 025

OCTOBER 2019
ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI 600 025
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this project report “ARCHITECTURE FOR URBAN

FARMING” is the bonafide work of “N.VISHNU PRIYA” who carried out the
project work under my supervision.
INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

DECLARATION
VISHNU PRIYA.N (Reg no. AC15UAR111) a bonafide student of the

Department of Architecture, Adhiyamaan college of Engineering (autonomous),
Hosur, hereby declares that this thesis report entitled “ARCHITECTURE FOR
URBAN FARMING” for the award of the degree, Bachelor of Architecture, is
my original work and has not formed the basis or submitted to any other
universities or institution for the award of a degree or diploma.
DATE :
PLACE: HOSUR VISHNU PRIYA.N

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I first thank lord almighty, whose graceful blessings enabled me to complete this
thesis project for the fulfilment of my B. Arch degree course.
I convey my heartfelt thanks to the college, especially to our Principal

Dr. G. Ranganath, M.E, Ph.D, M.I.S.T.E., M.I.E., C . Eng (I), for providing the
wonderful environment and their support.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our beloved H.O.D, Prof.

Ar. R. SEETHA RAJIV KUMAR, M.Arch, Ph D. for rendering hi valuable
guidance, support, encouragement and advice to make my efforts and the project
successful.
I specially thank my Guide, Ar. MADHAN KUMAR sir, M.Arch, for his timely
guidance and encouragement. I thank all other faculty of the architecture
department for their help and guidance.
I am grateful to My parents and My family members who offered great support

and encouragement during the thesis.
VISHNU PRIYA.N
ABSTRACT
Today’s current food system is unsustainable economically, environmentally and socially. The
world’s rural and centralized food production uses a vast amount of resources—land, water,
transportation— which will become increasingly scarce and expensive as world populations
grow and continue to urbanize. At the same time these resources diminish, demand for local
safe and fresh food will increase, and current food production levels will be required to double
by 2050 to support the world’s population.
Farming can provide greater biodiversity than many other urban land uses. Its contributions are
greatest when conceived in partnership with other urban improvements that lead toward more
sustainable, “greener” cities. The most serious long-term challenge facing Indian agriculture is
global warming and Climate Change.
There are different development in technologies in which farming is integrated with buildings
within city rather than open public spaces and garden allotments. Since there is increase in rate
of development and population density, the lands dedicated to these spaces becomes valuable
and should be occupied within the built environment in future.
It can be approached through the practice of integrating organic, hydroponic, Aeroponic or

aquaponics farming technologies into the building of all types. Some of the building types
include single family home, multifamily housing, mixed use buildings, restaurant, vertical
farms, hoop houses and greenhouses that are designed to urban conditions. Existing urban
buildings can be reused incorporating agricultural technologies to produce food for urban
populations.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1.Urban Farming
Figure.2.2.5.1. showing various Types of urban farming
Figure.2.2.5.2. Types of Urban Farming
Figure.2.2.7 George county policy
Figure.2.2.8.1. Hydroponic growing system
Figure.2.2.8.2. Aeroponic growing system
Figure.2.2.8.3. Urban rooftop farming
Figure.2.2.8.4. SIPS system
Figure.2.2.9.1. Garden City movement
Figure.2.2.9.2. Broadacre Theory
Figure.2.2.9.3. CPUL concept
Figure.2.2.9.4. Duany’s Agrarian Urbanism
Figure.2.10.1.1. Valcent verticrop
Figure.2.10.1.2. Rotating Carousel
Figure.2.10.1.3. Greenhouse in Netherlands
Figure.2.10.1.4. Edible walls
Fig.2.4.1. Ziggurats of Mesopotamia
Fig.2.4.2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Figure.2.4.3. City Of Pompeii
Figure.2.4.4. City Of Pompeii
Figure.2.4.5. Norwegian Sod Roofs
Figure.2.4.6. Terrace Gardens
Figure.2.4.2. Building Integrated Farming

Figure.2.5.1. Types of Green Roof
Figure 2.5.2. Green Roof system components
Figure.2.6.1.1. Letcetra Agritech
Figure.2.6.1.2. Vertical stacking of beds
Figure.2.6.1.3. Nutrient Film Techniques
Figure.2.6.1.4. Indoor farming system
Figure.2.6.2.1. sky Green façade
Figure.2.6.2.2. A Frame Trellis
Figure.2.6.2.3. Lettuce grown in Indoors
Figure.2.6.2.4. LED lighting system in Indoor
Figure.2.7.1.1 Brooklyn Grange Rooftop
Figure.2.7.1.2. Rooftop Farming
Figure.2.7.2. Rooftop Farming, Kerala
Figure.2.8.1. Green Roof, New York
Figure.2.8.2. Rooftop farm, Mumbai
Figure.2.8.3. Rooftop Container Farm, Senegal
Figure.3.1.1. Broadacre Theory
Figure.3.1.2. wick system
Figure.3.1.3. water culture system
Figure.3.1.4. EBB and flow system
Figure.3.1.5. Stacked Bed
Figure.3.1.6.-A frame trellis
Figure.3.1.7. Stacked Drums
Figure.3.1.8. Columnar system

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.8.1. Eagle street rooftop farming

Table 2.8.1. Vertical Farming Case study analysis
Table 2.8.2.Rooftop case study analysis
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1
1.1 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT .............................................................................................. 1
1.3 OBJECTIVES: ................................................................................................................. 2
1.4 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 2
1.5 LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER-2 LITERATURE STUDY .......................................................................................... 3
2.1 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIES ................................................................................ 3
2.2.1. WHAT IS URBAN FARMING? ................................................................................. 3
2.2.2. PRESENT STATE OF FARMING IN WORLD ......................................................... 3
2.2.3. FARMING IN INDIA .................................................................................................. 3
2.2.4. HISTORY OF URBAN FARMING ............................................................................ 4
2.2.5. TYPES OF URBAN FARMING ................................................................................. 6
2.2.6. INTEGRATE URBAN FARMING INTO LANDUSE PLANNING ......................... 7
2.2.7. PLANNING FOR URBAN FARMING ...................................................................... 8
2.2.8. SUSTAINABLE FARMING METHODS IN CITIES ................................................ 9
2.2.9. CONTEMPORARY URBAN AGRICULTURE THEORY .................................... 10
2.2.10. BUILDING INTEGRATED FARMING METHODS ............................................ 12
2.2.11. BENEFITS OF URBAN FARMING ....................................................................... 14
2.3. VERTICAL FARMING ........................................................................................... 15
2.3.1. VERTICAL FARMING WORK- ............................................................................ 16
2.3.2. HISTORY OF VERTICAL FARMING .................................................................. 17
2.3.3. GENERAL STRUCTURE OF VERTICAL FARMING......................................... 19
2.3.5. IMPACT OF VERTICAL FARMING: ................................................................... 21
2.3.6. HOW IS IT DESIGNED? ........................................................................................ 21

2.3.7. GOALS..................................................................................................................... 21
2.3.8. SYSTEMS USED IN VERTICAL FARMING ....................................................... 22
2.4. ROOFTOP FARMING ............................................................................................ 22
2.4.1. HISTORY OF ROOFTOP FARMING ...................................................................... 23
2.4.2. ROOFTOP FARMING: CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS ........................ 25
2.4.3. URBAN ROOFTOP FARMING TYPOLOGIES...................................................... 26
2.5. GREEN ROOF ........................................................................................................... 26
2.5.1. BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOF ................................................................................. 28
2.5.2. GREEN ROOF SYSTEM COMPONENTS .............................................................. 29
2.5.3. REQUIREMENTS OF GREEN ROOF FARMING ................................................. 31
2.5.4. ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR GREEN ROOF ....................................... 31
2.5.5. WHY CHOSEN A GREEN ROOF FOR FARMING ............................................... 32
2.6. CASESTUDY OF VERTICAL FARMING .............................................................. 32
2.6.1 LETCETRA AGRITECH .......................................................................................... 32
2.6.2 SKY GREENS, SINGAPORE .................................................................................... 35
2.6.3.PANASONIC INDOOR FARM, JAPAN................................................................... 36
2.7. CASESTUDY OF ROOFTOP FARMING ................................................................. 37
2.7.1 BROOKYLN GRANGE, New York .......................................................................... 37
2.7.2 ROOFTOP REVOLUTION IN SAKTHIKULANGARA, KERALA ....................... 38
2.8. CASESTUDY OF GREEN ROOF FARMING ........................................................... 39
2.8.1 AN AGRICULTURAL GREEN ROOF IN NEW YORK CITY ............................... 39
2.8.2. ORGANIC FARM ON A CENTRAL KITCHEN ROOF IN MUMBAI, INDIA .... 40
2.8.3. ROOFTOP CONTAINER GARDENS IN DAKAR, SENEGAL ............................. 41
2.8.4. INFERENCE .............................................................................................................. 43
CHAPTER-3 THEORITICAL EXPERIMENTS .................................................................... 44
3.1. EXPERIMENTING WITH THE CONCEPT OF BROADACRE THEORY ........... 44
3.1.1 SURVEY .................................................................................................................... 51
CHAPTER-4 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................... 53

4.1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 53
4.2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS .............................................................................. 54
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................ 54
CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
Farming in urban environments can enhance the quality of life. It expands the economic base
of the city and provides creation of jobs as well as improving quality of food. Farming supports
58% of the population in India and that in turn supports 16.8% of world’s population on 4.2%
of world’s water resources and 2.3% of the global land. Around 51% of India’s geographical
area is under cultivation as compared to 11% of the world average which lead to degradation
of land and ground water resources. This should be reduced and its productivity has to be
doubled in order to double to meet growing demands of the population of 2050.
10bn 70%
POPULATION BY 2050 INCREASE IN FOOD
PRODUCTION
The food and Agricultural Organization has reported that by 2050 the human population is
expected to reach over 10 billion people which is 34% higher than today. The amount of arable
land in 2050 in developing country will expand to 120 million hectares.
There are different development in technologies in which farming is integrated with buildings
within city rather than open public spaces and garden allotments. Since there is increase in rate
of development and population density, the lands dedicated to these spaces becomes valuable
and should be occupied within the built environment in future.
It can be approached through the practice of integrating organic, hydroponic, Aeroponic or

aquaponics farming technologies into the building of all types. Some of the building types
include single family home, multifamily housing, mixed use buildings, restaurant, vertical
farms, hoop houses and greenhouses that are designed to urban conditions. Existing urban
buildings can be reused incorporating agricultural technologies to produce food for urban
populations.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The aim of the project is to spread the concept of urban farming, presenting its characteristics,
the relationship of food system planning for the well-being of the individuals. To spread the
importance of farming targeted even in urban areas.
1. What are current methods of growing plants in urban environments and combining plant
growth with the built environment?
ARCHITECTURE FOR URBAN FARMING

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2. What are compact and efficient methods of growing food?
1.3 OBJECTIVES:
 To understand the various Technologies in urban farming and the places where the
farming can be done in urban areas.
 To understand the concept of urban farming and how it differs from traditional farming.
 To understand various types/kinds of urban farming.
 To understand advantages and disadvantages of urban farming.
 To understand the Economic viability of urban farming.
 To understand the ideas for implementation of urban farms in various building types.
1.4 METHODOLOGY
 To study farming in urban context-details of its history and timeline of urban farming
from past-present from the source of book, journals, articles.
 This study involves documentation on precedents of urban farming.
 To study about the various technologies of urban farming in the form of documentation
in reference to articles, journals
 To study about the architectural guidelines to setup urban farming from the source of
books with pictures.
 Various case studies of urban farming, comparative analysis from the study with
inferences. Thus understanding the advantages and disadvantages of UF.
 How urban farming works in India vs International through case studies-understanding
the technologies used in various places and how they differ from each other.
 Current global and local implementation of urban farming to be explained along with
the pictures.
 This study shows what are the benefits and challenges of urban farming.
 Understanding the concept of green roofs, vertical farm
-basis of urban farms
-History and its overview
-classification of vertical farming typologies explained in terms of description with
pictures.
-Principles of vertical farm
-How farming integrates with the built environment.
-understanding the contemporary urban farming theory.
-comparison with conventional methods with reference of books.
-Understanding the concept of sky gardens in form of documentation with examples.
 Understanding the Advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming. Vertical farming

offers several benefits over traditional farming practices. What are the technology
behind VF?

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1.5 LIMITATIONS:
 This study will not provide any source of agro science information.
 This study does not have any design considerations.
 Live case studies will not be done.
CHAPTER-2 LITERATURE STUDY

2.1 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIES
Urban growth and its development raised questions of food production, processing, transport
and consumption. Urban farming is considered to be one of the solution for adaptation of
climate change and it plays a significant role in greening the city. Rather than spending large
amount of resources such as land, water, transportation for growing food in remote areas, food
can be grown within the city which provides several advantages. Urban farming could be a
better solution for major challenges such as Land availabity and access.
2.2.1. WHAT IS URBAN FARMING?

Urban farming can be defined as growing fruits,
vegetables, herbs in cities. It is a process that is
accompanied by other activities such as processing
and distributing food, collecting and reusing food
waste and rainwater, educating, organizing and
employing local residents. It helps in improving air
quality, reduces urban heat island, enhancing greenery. Fig 2.1.Urban Farming
2.2.2. PRESENT STATE OF FARMING IN WORLD
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that 800 million people grow their own
food around the globe which accounts about 15-20% of world’s food production. Since urban
farming have been practiced for long time, it has recently gained attention for its social,
environment, health, and economic benefits.
2.2.3. FARMING IN INDIA
Farming supports 58% of the population in India Around 51% of India’s geographical area is
under cultivation as compared to 11% of the world average which lead to degradation of land
and ground water resources. By 2050, India with about 1.7 billion people will be the most
populous country in the world, accounting for about 17 percent of the global population but

3
only 2 percent of land and less than 4 percent of water. And about 60 percent of the population,
nearly 1 billion, will be urbanized. The rapid urbanization will further accelerate the demand
for higher quantity of quality food, especially of high value foods from the shrinking land,
water, biodiversity resources. Moreover, the crowding cities will be facing increased pollution
and warming.
2.2.4. HISTORY OF URBAN FARMING

Urban farming was practiced by people which were evident in history from hanging gardens
of Babylon, followed by Mayan growing crops within the city walls. In United States there
were examples throughout history such as propaganda gardens and war relief gardens.
During World War I, there was shortage of crops for American people, hence Government
encouraged families to grown their own produce, which led to the development of Liberty
Gardens. This garden was small but effective.
During World War II these gardens were renamed as Victory gardens and it was an effort to
relieve the stress of food shortages in their nation. During this period, Military forces began
cultivating food on islands and within their ships through use of hydroponics due to shortages
In 1960, NASA began experimenting with the hydroponics and aeroponic in order to grow food
on the ship.
In 1970’s there were revival of community gardens resurfacing throughout the cities across
United States. These community gardens popped up due to economic issues in each region.
Community gardens of Detroit and Chicago were rapidly grown during this phase.
Since the early 2000’s, commercial grade facilities have been development, in some states.
Aerofarms in New Jersey is currently the largest commercial grade facility, producing over 2
million pounds of food annually through the use of aeroponics.
Urban farming within many cities today take advantage of available vacant land. . One of the
best examples of this in Detroit, Michigan, a once booming city, has been the victim of blight.
This Blight has resulted in a great deal of vacant land, and buildings being burned or torn down.
As the many of these plots lay vacant, community gardens have begun to pop up. Detroit is
home to approximately 1,400 urban gardens, providing jobs for more than 70 urban gardeners,
as they sell this produce to local markets.
Urban Farms throughout history have been a reaction to issues plaguing a neighbourhood or
shortages of food, however today, urban farming is a movement in cities throughout the United
States, as they provide food locally, provide jobs, better the environment, create community
involvement, and convert vacant land into blossoming farms within urban areas.
FARMgr aims to combine the production of crops with the typical conceptual vertical farms.
This combination of building typologies create an atmosphere prime for the education of the
general public.

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1939-1945
600-500BCE
WORLD WAR-I
HANGING 1150-1350AD VICTORY 2018
GARDENS GARDENS
AZTEC FLOATING URBAN FARMING
OF BABYBLON GARDENS FARMgr

2000-200BCE 1917-1919 2011
MAYAN
WORLD WAR-I
VILLAGE AEROFARMS
LIBERTY
COMMUNITY (COMMERCIAL)
GARDENS
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2.2.5. TYPES OF URBAN FARMING
There are different types of urban farming which vary greatly in size, shape, purpose. It
includes home gardens, community gardens, demonstration gardens, edible landscaping, and
entrepreneurial farms. Urban farming occurs in a various places. Food is grown in vacant lands,
on patios, rooftops, walls, fences, rights-of-way and even trucks.
Home Gardens
It is situated in home for personal consumption. It includes spaces such as front yard, backyard,
gardening, patio or balcony gardens.
Community gardens
Food is grown collectively and consumed by members of community. Most of these gardens
provide space for several different activities, including growing vegetables and flowers, as well
as providing gathering space for socializing.
Market Garden
Community garden where food is grown for sale is said to be Market Gardens.
School Gardens
These gardens are located in schools and food is produced by students as hands-on experience
and is grown for scale.
Demonstration Garden
It is located in any research institute or public park where food is grown either for agricultural
research purposes or to provide knowledge to public on how and what to grow in order to
promote urban farming.
Edible Landscaping
It is either public or private property in which plant is grown for ornamental purpose.
Entrepreneurial Urban Farm
It is business enterprise operating farms (profit or non-profit) where farming practices are
undergone.
Community Farms
It is tend to be communal growing spaces operated by a non-profit organization that engages

the surrounding community in food production and also social and educational programming.

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Fig.2.2.5.1. showing various Types of urban farming
Fig.2.2.5.2. Types of Urban Farming
Urban Farming enhances food security and health, contributes to urban environmental
management, and provides educational and recreational services. It helps redevelop underused
and abandoned properties and turns undevelopable land into economically viable sites that
create jobs and generate income.
2.2.6. INTEGRATE URBAN FARMING INTO LANDUSE PLANNING

Farming can be assimilated into the urban areas with innovative planning. The rural-urban
divide in the twentieth century has started to dissolve in twenty-first century with the
burgeoning of farming activities in urban areas. Planning needs to adjust to the changing
environments.
HOW?
 Recognize urban farming as a land use that is separated from conventional farming.
 Develop an urban farming plan

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 Consider incorporating urban farming into plans, including general Plan, area and
functional Master plans, and sector plans.
 Plan to provide much needed tools and infrastructure, particularly land, transportation,
and water access, to help urban farming flourish.
 Engage residents and businesses in local food production planning.
 Conduct an assessment study to determine the condition and needs of urban farming in
the country.
 Identify available land that is suitable for urban farming.
 Develop innovative strategies and techniques to preserve land for urban farming.
 Establish a “food policy” council to help plan for urban farming and develop policy
recommendations to support urban farming.
2.2.7. PLANNING FOR URBAN FARMING

Urban farming may be used as planning tool to resolve many issues and create better
communities in which to live, work, and play. Urban farming has the potential to fit into every
major ongoing program in urban areas, from environmental improvement, waste water
management, crime prevention, revitalization, and development to health care.
EXAMPLE: PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY PLANNING POLICY

Prince George’s county has created planning policy for urban farming. Its emerging urban
farms grow organic produce using intensive farming methods. Residents are learning how to
grow their own food. Gardening activities are booming.
Community gardens are in demand. Demonstrate gardens educate and motivate the public.
Prince George’s County residents have access to healthy, affordable, and ethnically appropriate
food. The following policy recommendations were made to turn urban farming to make
nutritious food available to all.
Recognize urban farming as a viable industry and use

it as a tool to develop a robust economy.
 Integrate urban farming into Land use

planning.
 Provide access to suitable land for urban

farming activities. Fig.2.2.7 George county
policy
 Establish community gardens in all neighborhoods.

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 Encourage new development and redevelopment projects to include urban farming.
 Promote and support direct marketing opportunities for urban and suburban farmers.
 Permit backyard gardens in all residential areas.
 Encourage edible Landscaping.
 Amend the zoning ordinances to accommodate urban farming uses and activities and
remove, reduce, and /loosen zoning barriers to urban farming.
2.2.8. SUSTAINABLE FARMING METHODS IN CITIES

The methods of farming are limited due to lack of arable land to grow in cities. There are certain
appropriate ways to grow in cities including on roofs, Indoor Environments, on facades and in
small spaces. In addition to growing the food itself, energy and waste cycles associated with
farming and food consumption must also be considered in order for it have minimal negative
impact on local environment.
HYDROPONIC FARMING-GROWING INDOORS

 Hydroponics is a system of growing plants and
vegetables without using soil. It yields a large of
produce including leaf crops and vine crops and
can be grown anywhere indoors as long as there
is ample sunlight and water.
 PVC plastic piping is used to hold the plants in
a place while a stream nutrient rich water runs
over the roots of the crops which recirculates
through the system. Fig.2.2.8.1. Hydroponic growing
 Although hydroponics only utilizes water to grow system
It saves 70-95% of water when compared to conventional soil farming.
AEROPONIC FARMING
 Aeroponic is a growing system that uses a fine
mist of nutrient enriched water that is pumped to
the root systems of crops.
 It is often recognised as a more intense type of
hydroponic grow system that can also be grown
anywhere indoors with sunlight exposure and
water.
Fig.2.2.8.2. Aeroponic growing
system

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 The main advantage of aeroponic is that it uses 70% less water than hydroponics using
minimal input to gain maximum output-a reason why it has been heavily researched by
space agency NASA and is a considerable option for climates where water is scarce.
GREEN ROOF
 A green roof can be utilised to grow produce if
the existing roof structure would allow the
additional load. The structure consists of an
impermeable membrane attached to the existing
roof structure, a layer felt that acts as thick
sponge for absorbing and storing water from the
top soil, a drainage mat for the water, another Fig.2.2.8.3. Urban rooftop farming
felt layer for further retention and then a layer of
Soil on top.
 Lightweight growing media soils such as Gaia Soil and Rooflite have been developed
to lighten the load of green roof while also allowing adequate excess water drainage
and storm water retention for the plants.
SIPS
 Sub irrigated planters (SIPS) are a popular method of
growing produce in urban settings because they are compact
and easy to construct. SIPS use planters with a reservoir of
water below the soil so the plants are being irrigated through
capillary action.
Fig.2.2.8.4. SIPS
 Up to 90% of water is saved using SIPS system rather than
system
top down irrigation system because none is lost in evaporation.
 SIPS are advantageous because they are low-maintenance, easy to construct out of
recycled materials (Therefore cost efficient) and low water consumption container
gardening.
2.2.9. CONTEMPORARY URBAN AGRICULTURE THEORY

GARDENCITY MOVEMENT
The industrial revolution displaced agriculture to sub urban areas and to a certain extent severed
the relationship between agriculture and urbanity. City planners and architects started to
envision how a utopic future of city life would be. There are four urban farming theory
proposed by city planners and architects.

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1. GARDEN CITY
 Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City
movement placed a large emphasis on
macro scale reforms and organization
of public spaces.
 The crux of the garden city concept
by Ebenezer Howard in 1898 was the
idea of shifting urbanity to the country
side and received much criticism for
utilization of agricultural land for his Fig.2.2.9.1 Garden City
envisioned cities. movement
 His representation of the three magnets of the town, the country and the town-country
led him to conclude on what he developed further into “the garden city”.
 One of the earliest examples of the garden city was Letch worth and had a great impact
on urban planning as many western cities like New York abstracted the ideas from
Ebenezer Howards’ vision.
2. BROADACRE CITY
 Frank Lloyd Wright concept was in contrary to Ebenezer Howard paved the way for
agrarian urbanism through the Broadacres plan where he imagined the American
suburbs and cities by means of involving farming practices.
 Frank Lloyd Wright concept was in
contrary to Ebenezer Howard paved the
way for agrarian urbanism through the
Broadacres plan where he imagined the
American suburbs and cities by means of
involving farming practices.
 Broadacre City focused on bringing the
populace from urbanity into country life, Fig.2.2.9.2. Broadacre Theory
transplanting them into suburban plots with
each family owning an acre for farming.
 He focuses on the individual where
“Whatever a man did would be done — obviously and directly — mostly by himself in his own
interest under the most valuable inspiration and direction: under training, certainly if
necessary.”
The keystone to his scheme was the farm where the cities had self-sufficient food supply which
was foundation of city. However it lacked the density of urbanity and consequently cities have
continued to remain severed from farming.

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3. CONTINUOUS PRODUCTIVE URBAN LANDSCAPES (CPUL)
It is an urban design concept that integrates growing food city planning.
This promotes the blend of farming with public space and streets. It is
achieved by using existing open spaces and disused sites.This concept
grew out and explored the role of urban farming within urban design.
CPUL requires green plots of land and mixes both the functions of the
city and the farm. Though increasing access to healthful food, it gives
rise to conflicting use due to land scarcity in urban environments.
4. AGRARIAN URBANISM Fig.2.2.9.3. CPUL concept
It is a type of development that integrates food production as the

central design element. The Ornamental Landscapes are replaced by food bearing plants. Farms
remain farms, while balconies and rooftops are transformed to harbor agriculture. Andres
Duany, American Architect, an Urban Planner explained that
Agrarian urbanism is different from both

“urban agriculture” (“cities that are
retrofitted to grow food”) and
“agricultural urbanism” (when an
intentional community is built that is
associated with farm)”. He was thinking
bigger: “Agrarian Urbanism is a society
Fig.2.2.9.4. Duany’s Agrarian
involved with growing of food”
Urbanism
2.2.10. BUILDING INTEGRATED FARMING METHODS OF GROWING

FOOD ON AND INSIDE BUILDINGS
BIF
METHODS
IN SOIL IN WATER
GREEN
CONTAINER VERTICAL
ROOF
FARMING FARMING
FARMING

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There are two main categories of Building Integrated Farming.
1. Outdoor, soil based farming ( green roofs and containers)
2. Indoor, water based farming (hydro-aqua-aeroponic and vertical farming).
PRODUCTS: INCREASING YOUR YIELD WITH LESS SPACE

THE VALCENT VERTICROP
 The valcent verticrop is a multi-layer system of rotating hydroponic trays on rails that
ensures that all the plants get an even amount of sunlight so they can harvest
simultaneously.
 The verticrop is designed to produce high yields of fruits and
vegetables within a small footprint and can easily fit into existing
buildings.
 It can produce approximately 20 times the normal production
volume for field crops with only 5% of the water.
 A verticrop conveyer uses around the same amount of electricity
as using a home computer for approximately 10 hours a day
producing up to ½ million lettuce heads a year.
 Because verticrop grows the same number of crops in less space.
It takes typically 7 times less energy to produce the same number
of plants in a conventional greenhouse.
Fig.2.10.1.1. Valcent verticrop
OMEGA GARDEN CAROUSEL

 Omega Garden Carousel is a rotating carousel that consists of
several rotating hydroponic grow trays around a cylinder with
grow bulb located in the middle.
 The cylinder slowly rotates around the light bulb providing even
light distribution to all the crops yielding 3-5 times the weight of
plant per watt of electricity used.
 It is compared to flat farming and can yield over 3.000 Plants in
only 150 square feet of floor space
Fig.2.10.1.2. Rotating Carousel

EETHUIS
 Eethuis is an edible greenhouse designed by Atelier Gras

located in Appletern, Netherlands.
 Vegetables are grown along the walls and roof structure in modular plastic crates
packed with soil and metal mesh to keep the plants in place.

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 Eethuis is an innovative and beautiful idea of
housing a vegetable garden without much
outdoor space and also with reusable materials.
EDIBLE WALLS Fig.2.10.1.3. Greenhouse in Netherlands
 Edible walls are a way of growing produce on

existing interior and exterior walls. These walls
are constructed as metal panels filled with seeds
and soil that are hung vertically.
 Edible walls can also be a mobile unit that move

to area with maximize sun exposure. Like green
roofs, edible walls are thermal masses that can
 Reduce heating an electricity cost, produce fruits
and vegetables in far less space than a typical
garden. Fig.2.10.1.4. Edible walls
 Many technologies aims at bringing farming back to
the city such as greenhouses on buildings
require Large investments whereas an edible wall is far
Simpler, cheaper and does not require computers
or greenhouses to grow.
2.2.11. BENEFITS OF URBAN FARMING: WHY GO FARMING IN CITIES?
SOCIAL
BENEFITS
ENVIRONM OF URBAN HEALTH
ENTAL FARMING
ECONOMIC

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ENVIRONMENTAL
 It helps in utilising appropriate ways of spaces in urban areas since we are running out
of productive land. There will be less amount of places to grow food in conventional
soil based way in future. It makes efficient use of land.
 By integrating vegetation to our built environment, air quality can be improved. For
example green roofs or other exterior building surfaces used for food production, will
consequently reduce urban heat island effect.
SOCIAL
 By providing urban farming it tends to bring social contact and communication into
leisurely activities. This will help in enhancing communities.
 It is a valuable tool for bringing people together of different demographics, cultures. By
incorporating a community driven activity into developments, a sense of place and pride
can be developed and citizens will value their land.
ECONOMIC
 It helps in growing produce with twenty time less than conventional farming. This is an
important factor when growing large amounts of food for increasing populations and
saving land. Thus it helps in increasing productive intensity.
 It helps in cutting energy costs and storm water management.
HEALTH
 These days food preservative and additives are questionable in terms of the quality and
cleaning of the food. Urban Farming produces fresh and good quality of food.
2.3. VERTICAL FARMING

 Vertical farming is the urban farming of fruits, vegetables, and grains, inside a building
in a city or urban centre, in which floors are designed to accommodate certain crops.
 As the world‘s population grows, the demand of land required to produce also rises.
The concept of a vertical farm was developed to remedy this crisis.
“We live vertically, so why can’t we farm vertically?
 A vertical farm is farms stacked on top of one another, instead of branching out
horizontally. It was developed in 1999 by Professor Dickson Despommier, the farm
uses conventional farming methods such as hydroponics and aeroponics to produce
more yields faster.

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 Despommier envisions towers of at least 5 stories tall, clad entirely in glass with food
production systems including hydroponic, aeroponic and livestock. These vertical
farms are housed in abandoned buildings and deserted lots in cities, making unused
spaces productive.
 There will be no need of concern about unpredictable weather; no need for pesticides,
fertilizers and herbicides; no shortage of water because it will be collected and reused
from the indoor environment.
 It simultaneously helps to reduce poverty, adds to food safety, and increases contextual
sustainability and human well-being.
 Vertical farms build on the idea of rooftop farming by capitalizing on space vertically
and utilizing natural light to produce energy.
 Vertical farms create urban communities in which individuals can both live and work
in a sustainable environment. The vertical farm acts as a mini eco-system.
 With the population increasing and the supplies decreasing, it is necessary that we think
of innovative and creative ways to feed and nourish everyone.
2.3.1. VERTICAL FARMING WORK-

There are four critical areas in understanding how vertical farming works:
i. Physical layout,
ii. Lighting,
iii. Growing medium, and
iv. Sustainability features.
 Firstly, the primary goal of vertical farming is producing more foods per square meter
and so the crops are stacked vertically to grow.
 Secondly, a perfect combination of natural and artificial lights is used to maintain the
perfect light level in the room. Technologies such as rotating beds are used to improve
the lighting efficiency.
 Thirdly, instead of soil, we will employ hydroponics (bathing the plant roots in a
nutrient bath) or aeroponic (spray-misting the plant roots) or aquaponics growing
mediums are used. Peat moss or coconut husks and similar non-soil mediums are very
common in vertical farming.
 Finally, the vertical farming method uses various sustainability features to offset the
energy cost of farming. In fact, vertical farming uses 95% less water than traditional
farming.

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2.3.2. HISTORY OF VERTICAL FARMING

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2.3.3. GENERAL STRUCTURE OF VERTICAL FARMING
The vertical farms differ from one city to another. Some designs and concepts of VF are
explained in the following section.
MATERIAL
Usually, the skin façade of the building is made of a self-cleaning and clear material for
example ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene).
Also, a material with good transparency and the thermal rate are needed to raise the amount
of sunlight that arrives the building.
ETFE has just 1% of an equal-sized piece of glass weight but permitting for 95% light
transmission. Between the ETFE layers have a different pressure, these pressures help the
screens close and open to change the sunlight transmission.
LIGHTING
Lighting is a key issue in Vertical Farming. To manage the production line, whether the vertical
farm is planned to be totally using artificial light or both artificial and natural light should be
taken into account.
There are two options available: LED (light emitting diode) or HPS (high-pressure
sodium).The range of light intensity needed for enhancing the growth of vegetation is
contingent on the setting and time, product, heat and CO2 content of the air around plants.
Considering all these, the normal range of light intensity utilized is 50-200 mol/m2/s or about
4100-16400 lx including high-pressure sodium lamps. The light required in closed space for
vegetation growth is about 18 hours a day.
In order to maximize how much light enters (and at the same time minimize how much light
needed to be produced), light shelves can be used. Every window has got the tallest height up
to 3.5 meters which are actually the height of each floor.
NATURAL LIGHTING
The design of the building is such that absorbs as much light as possible. Especially the roof
can be designed so as to get the highest amount of energy from the sun in all seasons in places
where the weather is moderate.
In a vertical farm, any decrease in the density of stacking inside the building is accompanied
by an increase in building cubature.

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Although natural daylight is the main source of energy received from the outside, there needs
to be daylight concentration, direction and distribution strategies conceived so as to use
sunlight effectively throughout seasons.
The building angle and shape should allow the sun through the day and able to control that the
wherever the extreme solar gain can be received in the year .For example, there is a preview of
the dynamic construction program of Plantagon in Sweden.
This plan was expected to be finished in 2015 and it used a modern helix design which has a
globular design the focus of which is one making automatic systems which grow crops until
they are harvested.
These systems maximize the amount of light absorbed and distributed. The aim of the rotating
design of the system is to decrease or remove the need for artificial light supplies.
WATER REQUIRED
70 percent of the existing fresh water would go for modern farming. Much of this loss is
because of the artificial watering of farms. Also, most of the irrigation water gets lost due to
evaporation.
When farms are transferred to indoors, less water is lost and can be used in plant growth.The
amount of water needed for hydroponic agriculture was estimated to be one liter for each square
foot a day (or 10.71 per square meter).
Contingent on the type of crop, 200-600 liters of water is needed to provide 1 kilogram of dry
product.
The amount of water supplied is a key productivity limitation so how to manage crops and soil
to optimize the use of water and maintaining it inside soil is necessary to make sure of adequate
products. There are a number of techniques used in VF to resist the lack of water.
2.3.4. HOW IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

 It saves space such as 1 acre of vertical farm = 4 to 30 acres of flat land depending on
crop.
 Creation of sustainable spaces in urban environments.
 There is decrease in ―food miles and the travel of produce, because we can grow a
larger variety of produce year-round in a controlled environment we will no longer have
to import seasonal fruits and vegetables.
 All VF food is grown organically: no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers.
 It has ability to control and recycle any waste created.
 VF dramatically reduces fossil fuel use (no tractors, plows, shipping)

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2.3.5. IMPACT OF VERTICAL FARMING:
 Reduction of energy costs in transportation.
 Year-round crop production preparation protection from weather.
 Crops are then sold within the same infrastructure (reduction of crop waste).
 Elimination of crop machinery fossil fuel emissions.
 Growth of enough food to replace lost productivity as farmland is urbanized.
2.3.6. HOW IS IT DESIGNED?

 Multi-storied buildings growing different crops at each floor.
 Integrated assembly line including: seed sorting facilities, distribution.
 Continuous planting system including monitoring growth and harvesting
 All creating a 'miniature eco-system' that acts to enable the urban population to
manufacture and produce food locally.
 The architecture itself: Requires innovative design concept & architectural knowledge.
Integrating greenery alongside traditional architectural forms.
2.3.7. GOALS:
 Supply sustainable food sources for urban centers.
 Allow agro Land to revert to natural landscape.
 Sustainable organic farming techniques.
 Black/grey water remediation.
 Appropriate unused and abandoned urban spaces.

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 End food contamination.
 Year round food production.
 End reliance on pesticides, herbicides and petro based fertilizers.
 Create sustainable urban space.
2.3.8. SYSTEMS USED IN VERTICAL FARMING

 Hydroponics-Cultivation of plant life through continuous flow of oxygenated, nutrient
rich water.
 Nutrient-flow technique.
 Network of narrow channels of recycled nutrient rich water.
 Float Stem- rectangular reservoirs filled with water.
 Aquaponics - combine hydroponics and aquaculture.
 One system, fish waste as nutrient for plants.
 Drip/container culture- Soil less indoor growing- media bags
 Aeroponic - exposes roots, nutrient rich mist pumped into air chamber 100%
2.4. ROOFTOP FARMING

 A roof garden is a garden on the roof of a building. Besides the decorative benefit, roof
plantings may provide food, temperature control, hydrological benefits, architectural
enhancement, habitats or corridors for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and in large
scale it may even have ecological benefits.
 The practice of cultivating food on the rooftop of buildings is sometimes referred to as
rooftop farming.
 Rooftop farming is usually done using green roof, hydroponics, aeroponics or air-
dynaponics systems or container gardens.
 Rooftop farms have the potential to bring back vegetation and ‘rural habits’ such as
cultivating food in densely built-up areas.
 The adaption of otherwise unused rooftops into urban gardens not only - adds the
function of food production, it also adds significant value to the cityscape through the
vegetation of a dense structure.
 Giving unused gravel roofs a new life changes the building into a hybrid, which could
provide its habitants with extended outdoor space to meet their recreational needs and
give them an opportunity to grow their own food – rather extraordinary for dense urban
areas.
 Rooftop gardens, as a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of
city gardens, enjoy their own set of distinctive benefits. Rooftops are underutilized and
rarely-considered urban spaces with great potential for creative development.

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2.4.1. HISTORY OF ROOFTOP FARMING
4,000 – 600 BC The Ziggurats of Ancient

Mesopotamia. A series of stairs along
the outside perimeter of the stepped
pyramid provided access to the various
tiers of the structure.
As there were no interior rooms, trees
and flowers on each terrace of the
enormous ziggurats would provide a
cool, shady place for the visitor to rest
from the blazing Babylonian sun.
Fig.2.4.1. Ziggurats of Mesopotamia
Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The

ziggurat had a 400 ft2 base, with
landscaped terraces eventually reaching
the grand roof garden at the top, 75 feet
above the ground.
It was an engineering marvel, a living

mountain in the middle of a desert. The
terraced layout explains the phrase
“hanging garden,” where the vegetation
hung over the walls to the level below.
Fig.2.4.2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
79 AD
Archaeologists have discovered that the

city of Pompeii, near Naples, was
covered in thirteen to twenty feet of ash
and pumice from the volcanic eruption
of Mt Vesuvius.
They found that Roof garden was an
essential part of Roman Life. They were
an extension of the living room, a place
to seek refuge from the heat, a place to
socialize and to dine.
Fig.2.4.3. City Of Pompeii

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Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza, Italy 1463
The Palazzo Piccolomini was the private
summer residence of Pope Pius II.A top this
palazzo, a magnificent roof garden filled
with sculpted trees and manicured parterres
a manufactured agrarian landscape designed
to be both functional and beautiful. The most
ingenious and innovative feature of the
scheme was the introduction of the piazza, a
central square on which people could gather,
socialize, and enjoy the delicious Italian Fig.2.4.4. City Of Pompeii
summer sun.
1896
Norwegian Sod Roofs
Sod roofs, roofs topped with soil and planted

with grasses and other plants to stabilize the
earth on the roof, were part of the Norwegian
vernacular. Sod roofs provided insulation,
mitigated damage to the roof from the rain,
prevented the roof from rotting, and the root
system bound and strengthened the roof
structure.
Fig.2.4.5 Norwegian Sod Roofs
Early 20th century
Modernists such as Frank Lloyd Wright and

Le Corbusier had design that had no
reference to the past. The 5th Point, the roof
garden or terrace, was a flat roof intended to
be an outdoor living room, a place to exercise
and to enjoy the fresh air, rather than a literal
garden with plants and trees.
Fig.2.4.6. Terrace Gardens

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There are essentially three options for rooftop gardens.
 The first is container gardening, a less formal, cheaper form of roof gardening. In
container gardening, few to no modifications are made to the existing roof structure;
containers – anything such as recycled-wood planters – are placed on a rooftop and
filled with soil and plants.
 The second type of roof garden, in which the rooftop actually becomes the planting
medium, and has set of advantages, including greater storm-water retention, building
insulation.
 The third rooftop garden possibility is rooftop hydroponics, in which plants are grown
in a soilless medium and fed a special nutrient solution. Rooftop hydroponics can be
the lightest of the three options and may offer the possibility for faster plant growth and
increased productivity
2.4.2. ROOFTOP FARMING: CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS OF

GROWING FOOD OUTDOORS
There are three main reasons why rooftops should be used for farming activities.
 Lack of available land: As cities grow bigger, the impermeable areas expand and the
available land for food growing in cities is disappearing. Surfaces of the buildings, such
as rooftops, are ideal because they provide the opportunity to replace their impermeable
surface with vegetation.
 Better control and monitoring: Roofs are free from vandalism risks, as opposed in
allotments on ground that suffer from thefts and intrusions of unwanted groups of
people.
 Potential for creative development: According to Professor Martin Nowak, roofs can
be designed to integrate to a diverse range of activities (educational, recreational, and
agricultural) giving thus the opportunity to urban citizens to experiment, to enjoy and
to produce.
 The greatest challenge of rooftop farming is the severe weather: High temperatures,
light intensities and wind speed are crucial to plant survival and growth. There are
certain plant species that can thrive on roofs, the selection of which results from the
experimental trials in different rooftop conditions.
As far as roof requirements are concerned, the main issues to examine are
 Roof size: For commercial productions, the size of the roof needs to be 350 sq. m
minimum. The area needs to provide sufficient space for the planting beds, for the
farming equipment and for the supplies.
 Roof Accessibility: The roof must be easily accessible and must also provide a water
source for irrigation of the beds.
 Roof Load Capacity: The roof must be strong enough to hold the extra weight of: the
people that work on the roof; the farming equipment; the crops; the saturated soil.

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 Safety and Authorization: Authorisation and safety measures are essential.
Fig.2.4.2. Building Integrated Farming
2.4.3. URBAN ROOFTOP FARMING TYPOLOGIES

URF are globally divided into commercial (i.e., for profit) and social activities. Social URF
can though range from private rooftop farming in terraces to rooftop gardens addressing social
inclusion in low-income neighbourhoods.
The four main URF typologies are established are as follows
 Commercial rooftop greenhouses.

 Socially-oriented rooftop greenhouses.
 Rooftop farms.
 Socially-oriented rooftop gardens.
(I) CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES

Different cultivation techniques are used in rooftop farming, which are classified as follows:
 Soil production, refers to the use of soil as growing media for vegetables production.
 Soil-less production, refers to the use of alternative substrates to soil as growing media
for vegetables production (e.g., perlite, coconut fiber).
 Hydroponic production, refers to the use of water as the growing media for vegetables
production (e.g., Nutrient Film Technique, NFT).
2.5. GREEN ROOF

 Green roofs are roofs of buildings covered with a growth substrate and plants, which
are also known as roof gardens, living roofs, and eco-roofs.

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 Green roofs while not always affordable options, have been successfully used to grow
food. Not all buildings allow roof access, and of those that do, not all of the structures
are able to support food production.
 Once the roof structure is able to support the additional weight of a garden it may still
not provide enough available space for each building occupant to have a practical
personal garden. As far as useable space is concerned, the walls of a building typically
have more available square footage than roofs.
There are three types of green roofs.
 These types are well suited to roofs with medium load bearing capacity and sites which
are not meant to be used as roof gardens. The costs of extensive roof garden are lower
than Semi- Intensive or Intensive Green Roofs.
These types of green roofs are containing little nutrients, is not very deep but suitable
for less demanding and low growing plant communities.
 Semi-Intensive Green Roof: “Semi-Intensive Green Roofs in terms of requirements fall
in between Extensive and Intensive Green Roof systems. More maintenance, higher
costs and more weight are the characteristics for the intermediate Green Roof type
compared to that of the Extensive Green Roof.
A deeper substrate level allows more possibilities for the design; various grasses,
herbaceous perennials and shrubs such as lavender can be planted while tall growing
bushes and trees are still missing”.
 Intensive Green Roof/ Roof Garden: On Intensive Green Roofs all the things that used
in the ground garden such as; Lawn, perennials, bushes and trees are possible to be
planted, Walkways, benches, playgrounds or even ponds can be established as
additional features on the roof.
There are no limitations in design and individuality, but a few things have to be
considered. But the intensive green roofs are very high costs than extensive green roofs.
Fig.2.5.1.Types of Green Roof

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2.5.1. BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOF
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY:
● Reduce food transportation.
● Reduce wastes by generating less packaging.
● Recycle organic wastes by composting.
● Mitigate urban heat island.
● Increase biodiversity.
● Improve air quality.
● Improve urban storm water management.
● Sound insulation and noise absorption.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY:
● Active community participation.
● Community green space and gardens.
● Social inclusion: provide fresh food to the poor.
● Education.
● Local employment.
● Amenity space for exercise and recreation.
● Aesthetic value.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY:
● Increase local food production and sale.
● Increase local food security.
● Sell organic vegetable and food.
● Access to open space/views increases property value.
● Improve roof durability.
● Reduce building cooling load and energy costs.
● Increase roof life span.
● Increase availability of biofuels.

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2.5.2. GREEN ROOF SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Green roofs consist of both horticultural elements
and traditional roofing components.
The various components in a green roof
system
1. Roof Deck, Insulation,

waterproofing
2. Protection Layer – root barrier
3. Drainage Layer
4. Root permeable filter layer
5. Growing Media
6. Vegetation, Plants
Fig 2.5.2. Green Roof system components
STRUCTURAL LAYER
The components of the structural layer consist of the roof deck; the protection layer to contain
the roots and growing medium, while allowing water penetration; a drainage layer and retention
layer (sometimes with built in water reservoirs); a root repellant filter layer (made up of filter
mats to protect the growth media from moving); along with the waterproofing membrane .
(i) Roof Deck, waterproofing and insulation - The most important layer on a green roof is its
decking, which can be concrete, wood, metal, plastic, gypsum or composite.
Plants determines whether the structure is capable of taking the load of the green roof.
Installation of a green roof requires additional structural support based on the increase in dead
and live load (due to the growth medium); additional water retention.
Buildings with concrete decks are excellent contenders for green roofs as they can take the
additional weight of the green roofs and do not require extra support which is otherwise for
waterproofing a metal deck.
WATERPROOFING
The primary purpose of waterproofing is to keep the unwanted moisture from rain and
condensation away from the structure below.
The waterproofing membrane is the primary protective element of the slab and is typically
below all the components of a green roof system. There are three major roofing types for roofs
– Built up membrane, single ply membrane and Fluid applied membrane.

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INSULATION
The roof is the primary location for heat transfer and the insulation restricts the transfer of heat
energy through the roof by creating a barrier between spaces of different temperature. The
insulation acts as a thermal break and reduces condensation on surfaces that are exposed to
both hot and cold on opposite side.
PROTECTION LAYER
As green roofs contain living and growing materials, a protection layer and a root barrier are
one of the most important elements of the assembly, as roots grow they can penetrate the
waterproofing membrane and create leak locations. The root barrier placed above the
membrane ensures that no roots pass through and harm the membrane, a protection course
shields the waterproofing membrane from damage after it has been installed.
DRAINAGE AND RETENTION LAYER

A Drainage course allows moisture to move laterally through the green roof system. It prevents
oversaturation, ensures root ventilation and provides additional space for the roots to grow it is
a porous, continuous layer over the entire roof surface just above the concrete slab, as moisture
is essential for successful plant propagation, a moisture retention layer retains or stores
moisture for plant growth. It is an absorptive mat and which is typically located above the
drainage layer or above the aeration layer.
ROOT PERMEABLE FILTER LAYER

The filter layer separates the growing medium from the drainage layer and protects the medium
from shifting and washing away. This layer restricts the flow of fine soil particles and other
contaminants while allowing water to pass through freely to avoid clogging. They are often
made of tightly woven fabric and are in the form of filter cloth or mats.
GROWING MEDIA
The growing media or substrate in a green roof should strike a balance between good moisture
retention capacity and free draining properties of traditional soil. It should absorb and supply
nutrients and retain its volume over time to encourage plant growth. Traditionally, well drained
sandy loam was used as the growing medium for a green roof. Its weight and ability to clog
drainage layers and fabric lead to use of organic matter as a growing media. Lighter less rich
and more porous mixes than soil reduce weight of the growing medium and save cost of
structural support.
There are four factors that govern the suitability of a growth media. They are - water holding
capacity, degree of drainage, fertility for vegetation and density of the growing media. The
growing media should also be able to resist heat and other factors that damage normal roof. As
organic content; pH and nutrient levels, weight, porosity, and water retention capacity of the
growing media affect the growth of plants. It is important to select the substrate carefully.

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VEGETATIVE LAYER
The selection of appropriate plants is essential to both the aesthetic and environmental function
of the green roof. There are various planting propagation methods like pre cultivated mats,
modular systems, plugs, cuttings and seeds, all of which vary by cost and type of coverage
desired. Selection of plants requires consideration as traditional rules for ground level plant
selection do not work on green roofs due to the environmental and geographical location.
Microclimate conditions on the roof like sun, shade and wind patterns which do not affect the
ground gardens influence the growth of plants on the rooftop.
2.5.3. REQUIREMENTS OF GREEN ROOF FARMING

The main requirements for Green Roof Farming are
 Sufficient soil depth and good soil composition: the growing medium must be high in
organic matter and in nutrients and lightweight at the same time.
 Sufficient sun exposure and wind protection of the roof finally.
 Sufficient irrigation, because crops are water demanding.
2.5.4. ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR GREEN ROOF

LOCATION
Location of the green roof plays an important role in the design process. The height of the roof
above grade, its exposure to wind, the roof’s orientation to the sun and shading by surrounding
buildings during parts of the day will have an impact.
The general climate of the area and the specific microclimate on the roof must also be
considered. Views to and from the roof may also determine where certain elements are located
for maximum effect.
STRUCTURE
Additional loading is one of the main factors in determining both the viability and the cost of
a green roof installation. If a green roof is part of the initial design of the building, the additional
loading can be accommodated easily and for a relatively minor cost.
However, if a green roof is installed on an existing building, the design will be limited to the
carrying capacity of the existing roof, unless the owner is prepared to upgrade the structure,
which can be a significant investment.
Typical wet soil weighs approximately 1,597 kg per cubic metre (100 lbs per cubic foot). This
is a lot, considering that in Ontario, Canada, existing roofs are typically designed for a live load
of only 40 lbs per square foot (195 kg per square metre), which includes the snow load.

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ROOFING
One of the most important components of the green roof system is the waterproofing/roof
membrane. For an existing building, the membrane should be carefully inspected to determine
if it needs to be repaired or replaced before the installation.
Many manufacturers of green roof systems will not provide a warranty on the green roof system
if new membranes are not applied. The normal 10-15 year reroofing cycle provides a window
of opportunity to investigate the potential of applying a longer lasting green roof.
PLANTS
Location, wind, rainfall, air pollution, building height, shade, and soil depth are all factors in
determining what plants can be grown and where.
Root size and depth should also be considered in determining whether the plant will stabilize
in 10 cm (4") or in 60 cm (24") of growing medium. It is vital to know where the plants were
previously grown and if the growing conditions were comparable to the ones on the roof to
ensure their ability to adapt and flourish.
2.5.5. WHY CHOSEN A GREEN ROOF FOR FARMING

The main reasons for choosing a green roof for farming would firstly be because of the benefits
that a Green roof generally offers to our built and natural environment. As far as the building
is concerned;
 Green roofs provide extra insulation (thermal and acoustic) to the entire structure. They
reduce the noise levels as well as energy for (winter) and (summer) cooling.
 They increase the life of the roof by protecting it from weather conditions and finally.
 They improve the view of the built environment.
2.6. CASESTUDY OF VERTICAL FARMING

2.6.1 LETCETRA AGRITECH
LOCATION: Acoi Village, Mapusa Taluk, North Goa District.
TYPE : Mixed use Type (Cultivation and sales & Research and Development)
 Goa is a conducive place to start a farm, as the state sees visitors from all over the world
and they all have a need to be served fresh and high-quality vegetables.
 The name Letcetra is a derivative of lettuce. Letcetra Agritech is a hydroponics farm
that occupies just 150 square metres of space .They grow 3 ton lettuce every month at
their farm located at Karaswada in Mapusa which occupies only 150 sq m land using
80% less water compared to traditional farming.

32
 Founded in 2016 and built at the intersection of
agriculture and technology, Letcetra Agritech grows
organic vegetables using hydroponics and sells them
across hotel chains, supermarkets and farmers markets
 HYDROPONICS
Apart from enabling the growth of produce that is

Fig.2.6.1.1. Letcetra Agritech
20-30 percent higher on quality than traditional farming
allows, hydroponics also helps save water and resources
during farming. Using hydroponics, one can grow crops in any environment including
sterile and unproductive lands, or in big cities and capitals It helps cutting down on
expensive intermediaries and shipping costs and reducing our carbon footprint. It is
user-friendly so that any grower with a will can apply it successfully.
WHY GROW LETTUCE AND SALAD GREENS?
Salads are a healthy food and a fast crop; they don’t need much space or investment.
OTHER SYSTEMS USED:

 It works under Air conditioning systems which controls the temperature and humidity,
 LED lights are used to compensate for sunlight.
 Automated systems are in place to monitor and control water temperature, pH and
nutrient level etc. As parameters which affect the plant are controlled, the risk of our
plants dying is reduced considerably, improving yield and returns on investment.
CROPS
Letcetra Agritech’s produce – romaine lettuce, basil,
rocket/arugula, oakleaf and lollo greens, cherry tomato. Given
the tremendous for quality produce, there is always a ready chain
of buyers for hydroponically grown vegetables.
Fig.2.6.1.2. Vertical stacking of beds
Based on the type of growth of plants there were two types

of lights used.
 Vegetative growth- Blue Light
 Flowering and protein plants- Red Light.
 3m Nutrient Film Technique costs around Rs.1200.

 The distance between 2 pot is 8 inch.
 18 inch clearance has to be given from the Light to
the vegetables or crops. Fig.2.6.1.3. Nutrient Film Techniques

33
REQUIREMENTS OF INDOOR CULTIVATION
 Nutrient Fim Technique.

 Oxygen Tank and suppliers.
 Pumps either mono block or submersible
pumps
 Lights with intensity of 2000 Lumens.
 Consistent water and electricity supply.
 Red, Blue, Combined LED lights for different
kinds of vegetables. Fig.2.6.1.4. Indoor farming system
 PVC pipes of 1 inch for the fixation of plants.

 Rooms surrounded with black paint and thermos coal for cooling insulations.
 Fogging system for temperature control.
The Indoor Farming takes place in 3 stages.
STAGE 1-GERMINATION PROCESS
 The seeds are taken in the net mesh plastic filled with coconut husk and kept in sunlight
at optimum temperature of 32-38 degree Celsius.
 As soon as germination occurs, the plumation is taken to indoor for nursery section
STAGE 2: NUTRIENT FILM TECHNOLOGY
 The net pot are placed in NFT in such a way that water flows consistently beneath the
pots.
 Aeration pump is attached with the normal pump and circulates the nutrient water.
 Plants are provided with sufficient nutrient water and adequate light for growth.
 The lighting is provide for 16 hours
STAGE 3: HARVESTING
 Harvesting is done after 45 days of completion.

 Constant temperature is maintained.

34
2.6.2 SKY GREENS, SINGAPORE
LOCATION : SINGAPORE
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2012
Sky Greens is world’s first low carbon, hydraulic driven
vertical farm. Sky Greens is the innovation hub of its holding
company, Sky Urban Solutions Holding Pvt Ltd, where
continuous innovations in next generation of urban
Farming solutions. Fig.2.6.2.1. sky Green facade
The farm consists of 1,000 vertical towers. The farm can

produce up to 30kg of vegetables a day, or 6 to 7kg for each square metre a month. In
comparison, traditional farms yield 2 to 3kg for each square metre a month.
One of the promising vertical farms is the Sky Greens of Singapore.
As a small island, but with a population of over five million,
Singapore faces potential issues of food security. With land at a
premium, limited space for farming is available. Singapore
produces only 7% of the food it consumes, and only 250 acres of
the island are devoted to farming.
The remaining need is supplied by food imports from all over the
world. The five-year-old farm is 3-stories tall (9 m or 30 ft) and
uses a method called “A-Go-Grow (AGG) Vertical Farming” that Fig.2.6.2.2. A Frame
utilizes translucent green houses to grow tropical leafy vegetable Trellis
year-round at significantly higher yields than traditional farming
methods.
CROPS:
Sky Greens is capable of producing one ton of fresh
veggies every other day. It supplies a variety of tropical
vegetables including Chinese cabbage, Spinach, Lettuce,
Xiao Bai Cai, Bayam, Kang Kong, Cai Xin, Gai Lan and
Nai Bai. By providing high-quality produce at relatively
affordable costs, the farm has thrived and intends to
expand its production, providing a wider variety of
vegetables. Fig.2.6.2.3. Lettuce grown in Indoors
 Structurally, the AGG system consists of tall aluminium A-frames that can be as high
as 9 m (30 ft) tall with 38 tiers of growing troughs that contain various growing media—
soil and hydroponics.
 The A-frame system takes up only 5.6 m2 (60 ft2), making it ten times more efficient
than conventional farming.
 Using a water-pulley system, 38 growing troughs rotate around an A-shaped aluminum
tower that's about 9 meters (about 30 feet) tall. The rotating troughs ensure even
distribution of natural sunlight for each plant.

35
 Only 0.5 liters of water is required to rotate the 1.7 ton vertical structure.The water is
contained in a enclosed underground reservoir system and is recycled and reused.
Additionally, only 40W electricity, or the equivalent of one light bulb, is needed to
power a single 9 meter tower.
The troughs slowly rotate around the aluminium frame (about three rotations per day) to ensure
that the plants obtain uniform sunlight. Such continuous exposure also reduces or even
eliminates the need for artificial lighting in some areas of the building. Rotation is powered by
a patented low carbon hydraulic system that contains trays of plants.
The hydraulic system is an ancient technology empowered with a modern twist; it is a closed-
loop that makes efficient use of gravity and consumes little energy. Each 9-m (30 ft) tower uses
only 60 W of energy and, therefore, the owner spends only about “$360/month ($3/tower) on
electricity” to power the farm.
2.6.3. PANASONIC INDOOR FARM,

JAPAN
LOCATION: TOKYO, JAPAN
TYPE: VERTICAL FARMING, HYDROPONICS
YEAR: 2014
Pasona HQ is a nine story high, 215,000 square
foot corporate office building for the Japanese
Fig.2.6.2.4. LED lighting system in Indoor
recruitment company, Pasona Group, located in
downtown Tokyo.
It is a major renovation project consisting of a double-skin green facade, offices, an auditorium,
cafeterias, a rooftop garden and most notably, urban farming facilities integrated within the
building.
The green space totals over 43,000 square feet with 200 species including fruits, vegetables
and rice that are harvested, prepared and served at the cafeterias within the building.
This vertical farm founded by Panasonic grows whopping 80 tons of veggies, they started
growing leafy greens inside a warehouse in Singapore and selling them to local grocers and
restaurants. At the time, the 2,670-square-foot farm produced just 3.6 tons of produce per year.
CROPS
The farmers can control the indoor farm’s climate including pH levels temperature and
oxygen.40 varieties of crops are grown from Mizuna to Romaine lettuce, mini red radish. They
are aiming to start 30 additional varieties
SYSTEMS USED:
 Panasonic indoor farm everything grows under LEDs instead of sunlight

36
 Standard fluorescent lighting gives way to a pinkish-purple glow from LED lights
brought in to nurture the plants
 The farmers also control the warehouse's climate, including its oxygen and pH levels,
as well as temperature.
2.7. CASESTUDY OF ROOFTOP FARMING

2.7.1 BROOKYLN GRANGE, New York
Type: Commercial rooftop greenhouse
Name: Brooklyn Grange
Location: Long Island and Brooklyn, NY, United
States Fig.2.7.1.1. Brooklyn Grange Rooftop
Area: 4,000 m2 - 6,000 m2
Year: 2010 – 2012
Building type: Business building; Navy yard building
Produce: Vegetables, honey, sauces
Management: Soil production following organic practices
 It produces vegetables and honey for local restaurants, markets, and community-
supported farming.
 The farm is located on three rooftops in Brooklyn and Queens. Their first rooftop farm
was established in 2010 on a 43,000 sq. ft., the second location was built in 2012 atop
the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the third location established in 2019 sits atop Liberty
View in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is 140,000 square feet - the largest rooftop farm in New
York City.
 Together, they produce over 80,000 lbs. of organically-grown vegetables each year.
All three farms consist of green roof systems laid down before the soil.
 For the first farm on Northern Blvd, consists of 3,000-pound soil sacks seven stories up
to the roof. Brooklyn Grange laid down a series of drainage plates distributed by
Conservation Technologies.

37
 The system is as follows:
A layer of root-barrier, which prevents the
plant’s roots from penetrating the surface of the
roof; a thick layer of felt; drainage mats with
small cups to hold excess water from heavy
rainstorms (the soil and plants wick this stored
water up in dry conditions to keep water use
down), and finally, a thin layer of felt to
prevent the drainage mats from filling up with Fig.2.7.1.2. Rooftop Farming
soil.
 The second farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard has a green roof system which consists of
a lightweight drainage aggregate, with a layer of similar felt above to filter the solid
particles and keep the system together.
 The soil is sourced from Skyland, Pennsylvania, a green roof media supplier. Almost a
million pounds of the blend called Rooflite, an engineered soil mix that contains no
actual soil, was used. The stones make the material lighter in weight and also slowly
break down to add trace minerals needed for plant nutrition. The beds are about 8-12″
deep with shallow walkways.
2.7.2 ROOFTOP REVOLUTION IN SAKTHIKULANGARA, KERALA
LOCATION: Sakthikulangara, Kerala.
TYPE : Rooftop farming.

AREA : 1200 sq ft
Sakthikulangara, the seaside locale of Kollam Fig.2.7.2 Rooftop Farming, Kerala
Municipal Corporation, Kerala, is famous for fishing
and fishery-related activities; as an agricultural sector.
With the prevailing soil and climatic conditions, which favours leaching and draining of soil
nutrients .The soil has high acidity making it unfit for cultivation of any kind.
This was an initiative taken by a resident of Ramankulangara in Sakthikulangara, and could
transform this crop debilitated area into a hub of the new green revolution — to produce fresh,
hygienic, and organic vegetables in each family being its thrust.
Mr. John, a progressive farmer-scientist has been cultivating a variety of vegetables —
amaranths, lettuce, kale, tomato, brinjal, capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower et al within the limited
terrace area available to him, with vertical farming.

38
Though vertical farming is not an entirely novel concept, what makes Mr. John’s initiative
different is the distinctly different inputs he uses both in the growing medium and in the nutrient
supplement.
 He uses treated coir pith and bio-char in equal proportions to make up 95 per cent of
the growing medium, the rest five per cent being the soil available in the area.
 Vegetable seedlings are planted in the PVC channels of the vertical unit after filling it
with the growing medium; irrigation is regulated by drip method using automatic timer.
 Periodically, the pH factor is monitored and corrected if necessary, to maintain at

required level. He also uses compost produced at his own house by converting kitchen
and other domestic bio-waste, for which he has developed a simple, but efficient aerobic
bio-composing unit: the unit composts all domestic bio-waste in an eco-friendly manner
to produce compost within 45 days.
 He claims that the use of bio-char in the growing medium and the aerated activated
compost tea as nutritional supplement has been a huge success.
 Bio-char reduces the acidity of the soil, protects the plants from diseases, promotes
growth of friendly microorganisms, and reduces the loss of micro nutrients apart from
increasing water retain-ability.
2.8. CASESTUDY OF GREEN ROOF FARMING

2.8.1 AN AGRICULTURAL GREEN ROOF IN NEW YORK CITY
Option The Eagle Street system Details

using shallow beds
- 2 inches (= 5cm) depth

- an irrigation layer with
black plastic drip lines, using
Growing medium city tap water was de-
Separation layer installed, as the root systems
Layers below plants
Retention layer of the crops rotated (e.g.
Drainage layer carrots, microgreens,
Polyethylene radishes) were not conducive
to drip watering.
- lifted onto the roof by crane

Loading weight of the - prior assessment of the
90 tonnes
growing medium carrying capacity of the roof
by a building engineer

39
- retaining water, allowing
for air circulation,
Mixture of compost, rock
Growing medium lightweight
particulates and shale
- 4-7 inches (= 10-20 cm)
depth
Cheaper than most intensive
$10 per square foot = $110
green roof installations : -
per m²
high accessibility (three story
Installation costs (Average installation costs
building, open expanse of
for intensive green roof :
roof) - recycled materials
$380 per m²)
used
This is a 6000 square foot (= 560m²) intensive agricultural green roof atop a warehouse in
Green point, Brooklyn.The farm, which produces vegetables, is open to the public on Sunday
The green roof can hold over 1.5 inches (= 3.8cm) of rain, providing a significant reduction in
rainwater runoff. This captured water cools the warehouse below the roof leading to reduced
cooling costs.
CROPS
The Farm uses a wide diversity of rooftop acclimated
varieties of produce
• Cucumbers,
• hot peppers,
• tomatoes,
• eggplants,
• spinach,
• radishes,
Fig.2.8.1. Green Roof, New York
• kale,
• swiss chard,
• carrots
• peas, beans, salad greens (lettuces, mustards, arugula) herbs (sage, tarragon, oregano,
parsley, chives, cilantro, dill), and flowers (cosmos, zinnias, calendula, tobacco, daisys,
hops), corn, and squash are grown.
The most botanically successful crops from a plant health and high yield perspective are hot
peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sage.
2.8.2. ORGANIC FARM ON A CENTRAL

KITCHEN ROOF IN MUMBAI, INDIA
Mumbai Port Trust has developed an organic farm on the
roof of its central kitchen. The roof is about 3000sq ft (279
m²).
The first initiative was an eco-friendly disposal of waste.
Indeed, the central kitchen of the Mumbai Port Trust Fig.2.8.2. Rooftop farm, Mumbai

40
feeds approximately 3,000 employees daily, generating around 18 kg of organic waste every
day. The terrace garden, which has over 150 plants, recycles 90 per cent of this waste.
More than 150 plants are grow on the roof garden, such as lush tulsi, mint, spinach, okra, brinjal
and cherry tomatoes, guava, mangoes, coconuts, custard apples and chikoos.
2.8.3. ROOFTOP CONTAINER GARDENS IN DAKAR, SENEGAL

LOCATION: Dakal,Senegal
TYPE: ROOFTOP FARM
The Rooftop Gardening Programme of the United

Methodist Church promotes rooftop vegetable production
in Senegal, especially in Dakar, where women's groups have Fig.2.8.3. Rooftop Container
already established some projects. Farm, Senegal
These projects use brick and wooden box beds, lightweight
compost, and natural plant protection methods for growing crops under the semi-desert climatic
conditions of Dakar.
Other rooftop garden projects exist in Senegal, but they are considered too expensive and too
technical for the majority of the population, who are poor and illiterate.
Two types of beds are used - Brick bed
 Bricks are laid to create a bed 80 cm wide and 10 cm high, in which plastic sheeting is
laid before compost based soil.
 During the rainy season, a trough is created for drainage in the middle of the bed. The
plastic sheeting is moved underneath the bottom brick layer. Soil is kept inside of the
beds, while water can drain out.
 The problem of this method is that nutrients drain out of the soil along with the water.
Therefore gardeners use "manure tea", prepared by soaking a sack of compost in water
for 14 days, to water the plants.
Wooden box bed
 The beds measure 10 to 15 cm deep, 80 cm wide, and 120 cm long. The wooden bed
is covered with plastic sheeting, and a draining tube is fitted into a hole drilled into a
side of the box.
 During the rainy season, a channel is created between the soil and all four sides of the
box, allowing water to flow easily through the drainage tube.
 Many crops are grown, particularly those with fibrous roots because the space allowed
by the box or brick frame can only support shallow fibrous root crops, for instance,
tomato, hot pepper, eggplant.
 By increasing the volume in the beds, potatoes and other crops with larger roots can be
grown.

41
CASESTUDY ANALYSIS
LETCETRA
PROJECT SKY GREEN PASONA HQ
AGRITECH
WHERE Singapore Goa Tokyo, Japan
YEAR OF
2012 2016 2010
COMPLETION
Vertical farm
TYPE OF
Translucent green Farm Building Office
BUILDING
house
Tomato vines are
Romaine lettuce, suspended above
Tropical leafy
basil, rocket/arugula, conference table,
vegetable varieties-
CROPS oakleaf and lollo lemon and passion
sky nai cabbage, sky
greens, cherry fruit, trees are used
lettuce etc.
tomato as partition for
meeting space
30 ft tower- spends 10,000 sq. ft space is
150 square metres of
AREA 360 dollars per used for over ground
space
month farmland
TYPE OF URBAN
Vertical farm Vertical Farm Vertical Farm
FARMING
1st Low carbon
hydraulic
commercial farming LED Lamps
system. Use of LED lighting Automatic
patented vertical Nutrient Film Irrigation system
TECHNOLOGY
farming system.it Technique Intelligent Climate
has rotating tier of Automated System control syatem
growing troughs on
‘A’ shape
aluminium frame
Table 2.8.1. Vertical Farming Case study analysis

42
EAGLE ROOFTOP
BROOKLYN ROOFTOP
PROJECT STREET CONTAINER
GRANGE REVOLUTION
ROOFTOP GARDENS
LOCATION New York Kerala Brooklyn Dakar Senegal
4,000 m2 -
AREA 1200 sq ft 6,000 sq ft
6,000 m2
YEAR 2010 – 2012 2014 2010 2004
Commercial Rooftop
Residential
TYPE Rooftop Rooftop farm container
Rooftop garden
Greenhouse gardens
Cucumbers,
tomatoes,
Lettuce, kale, eggplants, vegetables, roots
Vegetables,
PRODUCE Tomato, Brinjal , spinach, and tubers, and
honey, sauces
cabbage carrots, peas, herbs
beans, salad
greens
Growth medium-
Brick and
treated coir pith,
wooden box
Soil production bio char (95%) Cheaper than
beds,
following and local soil most intensive
lightweight
TECHNIQUES organic (5%). PVC green roof
compost, and
practices channels are used, installations
natural plant
Low cost aerobic
protection
bio- composting
methods
pit
Table 2.8.2.Rooftop case study analysis
2.8.4. INFERENCE
• The Literature review and case studies shows that there is a variety of crops that grows
on rooftops and inside the buildings.
• The case studies shows the selection of crops and its varieties perform best in Building
integrated farming.
• Vertical Farming and Hydroponics are highly productive system. These systems can be
carried out in different sizes of spaces.
• Hydroponics in Vertical farming have several advantages over traditional farming such
as less dependent on climatic considerations, High yield of crops, making use of
efficient use of land.

43
• It can be carried out in various building typologies such as commercial, residential,
warehouses etc.
• International case studies have adopted Hi-tech systems such as controlled
environment system which is found less in Indian Cases.
• The above projects have no fruits produced except strawberry because they have greater
irrigation demand than vegetables.
• Green roofs benefits of insulating the building and reducing energy costs which is less
possible from containerised farming.
CHAPTER-3 THEORITICAL EXPERIMENTS

3.1. EXPERIMENTING WITH THE CONCEPT OF BROADACRE THEORY
Broadacre city was an urban or suburban development
concept proposed by Frank Lloyd Wright (1932-1959).It
was the Vision of multi- centered, low density (supposedly
5 people per acre), auto- oriented suburbia. Broadacre isn’t
a city; it is a landscape. Decentralized in organisation it is
self-sufficient in supply
He emerges the plan for a community laying out their cities
according to family values, spirituality and knowledge.
Everyone owns land for cultivation, at least one acre
(4046.856 sq m, 165 by 564 ft). This plan covers four Fig.3.1.1. Broadacre Theory
square miles.
Each family would be given one acre (4,000 sq. m) from the federal land reserves .Land would
be taken into public ownership; then granted to the families for as long as they used it
productively.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Broadacre city visions to provide each family one acre (4.000 sq m) of land on which to build
house and grow food. The city was considered to be almost fully self-sufficient.
“More Light, more freedom of movement and a more general spatial freedom in the ideal
establishment of what we call civilization
FAILURES AND DISADVANTAGES

It was too real to be utopian and too dreamlike to be of practical importance. It didn’t see the
large population increase. There was further density of urbanism hence it remained severed
and failed to proceed his theory.
Hence to prove this theory an attempt is made in this study to make a theoretical
experimentation on Urban Farming. Whether is it possible to provide people to make self-
sufficient grow produce.

44
This study further proceeds with taking an example of Hosur and experimenting the theory on
this particular place.
CASESTUDY-HOSUR
Hosur is an industrial City in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the bank of a River
Ponnaiyar, 35 kilometres (22 mi) South-East of Bengaluru and 306 kilometres (190 mi) west
of Chennai, the state capital. Hosur is the gateway to Bengaluru from Tamil Nadu and serves
as a satellite town of it.
CLIMATE
Hosur experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification) with distinct wet
and dry seasons. Due to its high elevation, Hosur usually enjoys salubrious and moderate
climate throughout the year.
A variety of fruits and vegetables are cultivated around Hosur. The land is very fertile and there
is significant access to fresh water as well as labor. District Livestock Farm was started in 1824.
POPULATION
2.3 lakhs
2018
AREA – 68.36 sq km
How big is Hosur?Hosur is the largest city in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. It has a
population of around 3 lakh people and an area of 100 sq. km. It has been ranked 4th in the
world for its growth.
Working Population - Hosur Taluka
In Hosur Taluka out of total population, 231,448 were engaged in work activities. 89.3% of
workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months)
while 10.7% were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months.
Of 231,448 workers engaged in Main Work, 43,991 were cultivators (owner or co-owner)
while 38,239 were Agricultural laborer.
CROPS GROWN IN HOSUR

Crops consists of tomatoes, cabbages, onions, mangoes, capsicum, carrot, beans, coriander
leaves, turnip and radish,.Roses are also grown in large numbers.

45
VACANT LAND-70%
EDUCATIONAL-2%
RESIDENCE -10%
INDUSTRIAL -5%
COMMERCIAL -4%
PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC-1%
AGRICULTURE -8%
Urban farming have potential in growing crops in residences, commercial, institutional which
accounts about 17%.agriculture land contributes about 8%.
AREA OF HOSUR – 68.36 sq km
Taking an average 1 family- 5members

46
Hence there will be 46,000 families. According to Broadacre theory per family is provided
with per acre for farming. Therefore 46,000 families will have 46,000 acres contributed to
farming. This exceeds more than the area of Hosur. For such small area (Hosur) itself this
theory is not possible. Hence urban farming can be incorporated to solve these issue.
FOOD CONSUMPTION
An average person eats 2.5 kgs (approx.) of cooked food.
MODERN TECHNOLOGIES
There are modern technologies used farming which can be grown on roofs, Indoor
Environments, in small spaces.
Commercial rooftop greenhouses
• Socially-oriented rooftop greenhouses, especially in schools, where the students can

experience hands-on experience.
• Rooftop farms
• Socially-oriented rooftop gardens, which encompass from community rooftop gardens in

residential buildings, to therapeutic rooftop gardens in hospitals.
 New buildings can be built integrated with farming along with indoor grow lights for
plants.The Existing building could be used for farming in ways of rooftop farming,
façade greening.
 Rooftop farming such as container farming can be used. Stacking of beds in vertical
way can be used.
HYDROPONICS can be used for activities of farming (form of growing produce with no soil,
instead grown using nutrient solution) It can provide several advantages.
 Plants grow faster. The plants grow at least 20 percent faster in hydroponic systems
than they do in soil.
 Yields are 20 to 25 percent bigger with hydroponic systems, compared to growing in
soil.
 No soil is required, which can be a distinct advantage in areas where existing garden
soil is poor, or for apartment dwellers where growing in soil is inconvenient.

47
 Hydroponic growing takes less space. Plants don't need to grow extensive root
systems to obtain the nutrients they need, so plants can be packed together closely
which is an another advantage.
 Water is saved. The reservoirs used in hydroponics are enclosed to prevent
evaporation, and the systems are sealed. This allows plants to take up only the water
they need.
There are three most basic setups in Hydroponics-wick, water culture, ebb and flow.
WICK SYSTEMS
 Wick systems are the simplest system

mechanically, and the easiest to set up
because there are no moving parts.
 The system contains a reservoir filled with
water and nutrients, and above it, there is a
container filled with growing medium.
 The two containers are connected by a wick,
which draws the nutrient-filled water up into the Fig.3.1.2. wick system
growing medium, where it is absorbed by the roots

of your plants.
 This system is great for learning the basics, but it may not work well with large plants
or with water-hungry plants such as lettuce, because the wick cannot supply water fast
enough. However, this system works extremely well with micro greens, herbs, and
peppers.
WATER CULTURE
A water culture system is another extremely simple system to set up. In this system, the plants
are placed into a styrofoam platform that sits right on top of the reservoir holding the solution
of water and nutrients.
A bubbler air pump is added to the reservoir to deliver

oxygen to the plant roots.
This system is ideally suited for water-hungry plants but

is not so well suited for more long-lived plants such as
tomatoes.

48
Fig.3.1.3. water culture system
EBB AND FLOW
 Ebb and flow systems are slightly more complex
in design, but they are extremely versatile.
 This system works by flooding the growing
medium with a water/nutrient solution and then
draining it back into the reservoir.
 To do this, the system requires a submersible
pump with a timer. One of the greatest
advantages of ebb and flow is that you can use
the timer to customize your plants’ watering schedule Fig.3.1.4. EBB and flow system
based on the plant size, number of plants, temperature,
humidity, etc. You also have the option of potting
plants individually for easy customization or filling the entire tray with growing
medium and planting directly in the tray.
NUTRIENTS
The nutrients/fertilizers used in hydroponic systems are available in both liquid and dry forms
and in both organic and synthetic types. This is either type which can be dissolved into water
to create the nutrient mixture required by the hydroponic system.
Various hydronic product nutrients can be used for specific needs. For example, some are
marketed as being best suited for flowering plants, while others are best for promoting
vegetative growth, such as the greenery of leafy vegetables.
N.F.T
It stands for Nutrient Film Technique. It is modern method of farming It uses a constant flow
of water/nutrient solution that flows constantly in a loop from a reservoir through a growing
tray, where plant roots are suspended in air and absorb nutrients as the solution flows by.
AEROPONIC SYSTEM
An aeroponic system is a high-tech method in which plant roots are suspended in air and are
misted every few minutes with a water/nutrient solution. It is a highly effective method but
one that requires sophisticated pumps and misters.
GOOD STARTER PLANTS
Some plants that work very well for hydroponics are:
 Greens such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and kale

 Herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro and mint
 Tomatoes
 Strawberries

49
 Hot Peppers
MODERN WAYS OF STACKING PLANT BEDS
STACKED BEDS-
The stacked beds is the method of stacking of

growing beds on top each of other. It can be used for
hydroponic and aeroponic methods.
In this configuration involves artificial light for

penetration of light into each layer. It is convenient
for commercial use. In terms of production stacked
beds is twice than A frame trellis and columnar
system. Fig.3.1.5. Stacked Bed
The A FRAME TRELLIS-
It is one of the successful hydroponic model of

vertical orientation. The pipes are arranged
either vertically or horizontally to form a
triangular extrusion.
This triangular extrusion maximizes the surface

area and the exposure of sunlight. A Frame trellis
is simple and achievable structure which
provides high level space of space efficiency.
Fig.3.1.6.-A frame trellis
THE STACKED DRUMS
It is one of the least common system used.
It consists of series of plants arrange around a centre

light source which maximizes the space as well as
energy use production.

50
COLUMNAR
SYSTEM Fig.3.1.7. Stacked Drums
It is the latest system used. The columnar design is the

hybrid of both stacked beds and A framed trellis as it
features a series of growing platform around a central
columnar structure. It is most efficient sun fed
hydroponic system.
Fig.3.1.8. Columnar system
These are the ways in which urban farming can be carried out in such place. These ways
makes efficient use of land, uses adequate amount of water required for farming, and
produces less waste. Modern ways of farming can be integrated on and in buildings which
helps us to sort out the issues such as less land availability, weather conditions, high amount
of water to be used for farming can be reduced.
3.1.1 SURVEY
This study involves survey on urban Farming. Certain set of samples were prepared and survey
was carried out. A survey of about 30 people is carried out.
1. Is Urban Farming necessary for future approach?
A - YES
B B - NO
0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%
A
B
2. Why Urban Farming isC important?
D

51
a. Inadequate space for farming
b. Processed food lacks nutrition
c. Reducing Urban Poverty
d. All the above
3. What are the benefits of Urban Farming?
a. Improving air quality

b. Less Transport-Less vehicles
c. Increasing productivity intensity
d. All the Above
4. Is it necessary to integrate urban farming into land use planning?
A - YES
B
B - NO
0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%
5. Is Urban Farming possible in India?
A
A - YES
B - NO
B
0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%
6. What types of Urban Farming can be adopted in urban areas?

52
B a. Vertical Farming
C b. Rooftop Farming
c. High Tech Farming
D d. All the above
7. What are the advantage of Vertical Farming?
A a. Well utilization of space

B b. Organic food produce
c. Less waste of food
C
d. All the above
D
8. Will people be interested in growing produce on their own (self-sufficiency)?
A
A - YES
B
B - NO
0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%
CHAPTER-4 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
4.1. INTRODUCTION
From the above analysis it is found that there are different development in technologies
in which farming is integrated with buildings within city rather than open public spaces
and garden allotments. It can be approached through the practice of integrating organic,
hydroponic, Aeroponic or aquaponics farming technologies into the building of all
types. Some of the building types include single family home, multifamily housing,
mixed use buildings, restaurant, vertical farms, hoop houses and greenhouses that are
designed to urban conditions. Existing urban buildings can be reused incorporating
agricultural technologies to produce food for urban populations.

53
4.2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
 This study shows that there is a need of modern ways of farming to be adopted in urban
areas due to increasing urbanisation. Buildings can be integrated with farming by means
of adopting farming methods such as Hydroponic systems in vertical farming. Plant
beds can be stacked in a vertical way in order to have efficient utilization of land.
 These farming methods have more advantages than traditional farming methods such
as effective use of land and water, reduces food waste.
 From the analysis of various case studies, it is possible to integrate farming in and on
urban structures such as Indoor farm, Rooftop farms.
 Urban Farming in India is less popular when compared to international cases. The main
issue with urban Farming in India is the availability of land for cultivation. In fast
growing large cities where there is no more free space available, setting aside land for
agricultural use is not feasible. It lacks modern technologies such as Lighting systems
and other automated systems. It can be seen that there are no regional trends or pattern
with regard to the practice of Urban Farming.
 Certain Policies can be made incorporating farming in cities.
 ‘zoning’ of land for urban farming in urban development master plans;
 Imposing tax for vacant plots.
CHAPTER-5 CONCLUSIONS
This study will conclude from the above analysis. This study thus shows the concept of Urban
Farming and modern technologies adopted in and on buildings. Urban Farms are found in
residential yards, brownfields or abandoned sites, Industrial Zones, Rooftops, warehouses. The
Future scope of this study will lead to the design of urban farming in residences, vertical
Farming, urban Farming in abandoned buildings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Meera sahasranam: 2016.Future of Urban Agriculture in India.
Farhat Ali, chitra Srivastava; 2017. Futuristic Urbanism-An overview of Vertical farming and
urban agriculture for future cities in India
Marielle Dubbeling and Edouard Massonneau; 2012. Rooftop Agriculture-a climate change
perspective.
Tjeerd Deelstra and Herbert Girardet; Urban agriculture and sustainable cities.
Susanne Thomaier, Kathrin Specht, Dietrich Henckel, Axel Dierich, Rosemarie Siebert, Ulf B.
Freisinger and Magdalena Sawicka;2014.Farming in and on urban buildings:Present practice
and specific novelties of Z Farming.

54
Gareth Haysom; Urban agriculture and food security.
Christopher Szymberski; Urban farming Design Guidelines.
Ashley Marcynuk; 2011. Urban Growth: A Synthesis of Agriculture and Architecture.
Allison rose wilson ; 2012. Urban food growth: designing for vertical building surfaces.
Gisele Yasmeen; 2001. Urban Agriculture in India: A Survey of Expertise, Capacities and
Recent Experience
Kukku joseph jose; “Breathing highrises” Vertical farming as an emerging option for the urban
resources management in future cities.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; 2012.Urban Agriculture-

ATool for Creating Economic Development and Healthy Communities in Prince George
County.
Leah Kim; 2011.Urban Agriculture: Using Buildings to feed cities.
Michael Lima; 2006.THE SEED: Urban Vertical Farming Germinated.
Nicolas M.Van Berlo; 2018.Urbanizing Agriculture: Cultivating the city.
Howard Brin; The State of Vertical Farming.
Leung Chi Kwan;The Future of Urban Arcology,Towards a City Farming Mchine.
Vassilev;2009.Vertical Farming.

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ARCHITECTURE FOR

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (B.ARCH)

ADHIYAMAAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, HOSUR

ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI 600 025

Certified that this project report “ARCHITECTURE FOR URBAN

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

VISHNU PRIYA.N (Reg no. AC15UAR111) a bonafide student of the

PLACE: HOSUR VISHNU PRIYA.N

I convey my heartfelt thanks to the college, especially to our Principal

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our beloved H.O.D, Prof.

I am grateful to My parents and My family members who offered great support

It can be approached through the practice of integrating organic, hydroponic, Aeroponic or

Figure 2.1.Urban Farming

Figure.2.2.5.1. showing various Types of urban farming

Figure.2.2.5.2. Types of Urban Farming

Figure.2.2.7 George county policy

Figure.2.2.8.1. Hydroponic growing system

Figure.2.2.8.2. Aeroponic growing system

Figure.2.2.8.3. Urban rooftop farming

Figure.2.2.8.4. SIPS system

Figure.2.2.9.1. Garden City movement

Figure.2.2.9.2. Broadacre Theory

Figure.2.2.9.3. CPUL concept

Figure.2.2.9.4. Duany’s Agrarian Urbanism

Figure.2.10.1.1. Valcent verticrop

Figure.2.10.1.2. Rotating Carousel

Figure.2.10.1.3. Greenhouse in Netherlands

Figure.2.10.1.4. Edible walls

Fig.2.4.1. Ziggurats of Mesopotamia

Fig.2.4.2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Figure.2.4.3. City Of Pompeii

Figure.2.4.4. City Of Pompeii

Figure.2.4.5. Norwegian Sod Roofs

Figure.2.4.6. Terrace Gardens

Figure.2.4.2. Building Integrated Farming

Figure 2.5.2. Green Roof system components

Figure.2.6.1.1. Letcetra Agritech

Figure.2.6.1.2. Vertical stacking of beds

Figure.2.6.1.3. Nutrient Film Techniques

Figure.2.6.1.4. Indoor farming system

Figure.2.6.2.1. sky Green façade

Figure.2.6.2.2. A Frame Trellis

Figure.2.6.2.3. Lettuce grown in Indoors

Figure.2.6.2.4. LED lighting system in Indoor

Figure.2.7.1.1 Brooklyn Grange Rooftop

Figure.2.7.1.2. Rooftop Farming

Figure.2.7.2. Rooftop Farming, Kerala

Figure.2.8.1. Green Roof, New York

Figure.2.8.2. Rooftop farm, Mumbai

Figure.2.8.3. Rooftop Container Farm, Senegal

Figure.3.1.1. Broadacre Theory

Figure.3.1.2. wick system

Figure.3.1.3. water culture system

Figure.3.1.4. EBB and flow system

Figure.3.1.5. Stacked Bed

Figure.3.1.6.-A frame trellis

Figure.3.1.7. Stacked Drums

Figure.3.1.8. Columnar system

Table 2.8.1. Eagle street rooftop farming

CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1

1.1 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 1