Rooftop gardens could provide three-quarters of the vegetables for a city

In a study conducted in Bologna, researchers have estimated that more than 12,500 tonnes of vegetables could be produced if all the space on suitable rooftops was used for gardening. This represents 77 per cent of the actual consumption of the city.
In the trials, the researchers grew lettuce, black cabbage, chicory, tomato, aubergine, chilli pepper, melon and watermelon, either in plastic pipes, recycled pallets filled with compost or on polystyrene panels floating in tanks, also made from recycled pallets.
The gardens would also be able to capture 624 tons of CO2 each year, as well as improve the microclimate and the biodiversity of the city.

Source: Science for Environment Policy, 26 March 2015

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