Enhancing urban sustainability through rooftop agriculture: A GIS based approach

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.