Abstract:
Urban agriculture holds immense promise in addressing pressing social and
environmental challenges in developed cities worldwide, such as food insecurity,
economic opportunities, and community building. While greenery offers several
benefits to the environment, planting new trees and vegetation in urban areas is
difficult due to limited space. Despite being a popular concept in many countries,
green roofs remain relatively new and limited in Sri Lanka, with low awareness
among professionals, developers, government authorities, building owners, and the
general public. This study aims to evaluate the potential of rooftop agriculture in Sri
Lanka by utilizing a multicriteria decision-making technique implemented in a GIS
environment to identify suitable rooftop areas. The analysis was conducted in
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, revealing a net area of 0.9 km2
for rooftop farming,
representing 14% of the total roof area and 5% of the total land area. The
comprehensive GIS environment used in this study not only enhances the quality of
research but also allows for continuous updates and monitoring of factors that
influence the development of green roof policies. The findings of this research have
significant implications for policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting the potential
of green roofs to enhance the sustainability of urban areas in Sri Lanka.
