This document discusses the potential for rooftop gardens in informally developed areas of Egypt. It explores the environmental, social, and economic benefits of rooftop gardening, as well as examples from other parts of the world. However, rooftop gardens face challenges in hot arid climates like Egypt where irrigation is needed. The document outlines organizations in Egypt experimenting with rooftop hydroponic farming and the barriers to wider implementation, such as lack of standards and plant selection challenges. It concludes by arguing for the development of Egyptian guidelines and more research on suitable plant species.

1. THE RISE OF ROOFTOP GARDENS INTHE RISE OF ROOFTOP GARDENS IN
INFORMALLY DEVELOPED AREAS IN EGYPT:INFORMALLY DEVELOPED AREAS IN EGYPT:
EXPLORING THE ABILITIES AND BOUNDARIESEXPLORING THE ABILITIES AND BOUNDARIES
Dr. Iman O. GawadDr. Iman O. Gawad
Architecture Department, Faculty of Fine Arts,Architecture Department, Faculty of Fine Arts,
Helwan University Cairo, EgyptHelwan University Cairo, Egypt

2. TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
Problem – Hypothesis - Definition – Types
II. PROSPECTS AND BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP
GARDENING
Environmental, social and economic benefits of rooftop gardens
III. WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCES ON GREEN ROOF
IV. ROOFTOP GARDENS IN HOT ARID CLIMATE
V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
1. Hydroponic Farming History in EgyptHistory in Egypt
2. Organisations working in Cairo district
3. Boundaries to rooftop gardens implementation in Egypt
VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3. I. INTRODUCTIONI. INTRODUCTION
HypothesisHypothesis
Informal settlements could be
improved and hence the quality of
life of majority of its residents
through the development of the
rooftop farming strategy
ProblemProblem
8 million Egyptians live in
informal settlements in Cairo with
several problems.
After decades of attempts by the
government and many national
development agencies, the problems
remain as massive as ever.
Recently, a number of NGOs
started to lift people above the
poverty line through an income
generated by the sale of rooftop
gardening products.

4. I. INTRODUCTIONI. INTRODUCTION
DefinitionsDefinitions
•Greenroofs
•Eco-roofs
•Nature Roofs
•Roof Greening Systems
“Are living, vegetative
roofing alternatives designed
in contrast to the many
standard non-porous roof
choices”.
“The green spaces in the
intermediate floors of high-
rise buildings (podium
garden or elevated garden)
or on the rooftops”.
TypesTypes
Three types of green roofs are widely
recognised depending on:
•Substrate depths (<=>20 cm)
•Irrigation and maintenance
•Structural reinforcement of the roof

5. II. PROSPECTS AND BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP GARDENINGII. PROSPECTS AND BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP GARDENING
Environmental Sustainability Social Sustainability Economic 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
• Active community
participation
• Community green space and
gardens
• Social inclusion: provide fresh
food to the poor
• Education, awareness
• Local employment
• Amenity space for exercise
and recreation
• Aesthetic value
• Increase local food
production, sale and security
• Sell organic vegetable and
food
• Access to open space/views
increases property value
• Reduce building cooling load
and energy costs
• Increase availability of bio-
fuel

6. II. PROSPECTS AND BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP GARDENINGII. PROSPECTS AND BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP GARDENING

7. • Germany: is considered the birthplace of modern green roof systems
(1960s) and is today known as the world 'frontrunner' in research and
usage with green roofs there increasing 10–15 % each year.
• USA: In 2001, the Chicago City Hall adopted the first green roof in
America. In 2006, over 280,000 m2 of green roofs have been built
• Japan’s green roof material providers and initiatives offer design
instructions and knowledge for their clients
• large cities like Mexico City, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro have started
green roof programs.
III. WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCES ON GREEN ROOFIII. WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCES ON GREEN ROOF

8. The European standards established
a minimum annual precipitation rate
for a green roof of more than 450-
650mm.
BWh:BWh: this climate usually
experiences less than 250 mm per
year of precipitation
IV. ROOFTOP GARDENS IN HOT ARID CLIMATEIV. ROOFTOP GARDENS IN HOT ARID CLIMATE
It is difficult to find any examples of successful greenIt is difficult to find any examples of successful green
roofs in any Arab countriesroofs in any Arab countries
 Most green roofs in hot arid climates need to be irrigated
 Only recycled water should be used. The condensation water from the air
conditioners can be used in certain building spaces (such as balconies or
small rooftop areas) but still it's not enough.

9. V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
 It is a classification of agriculture that uses nutrient-laden water rather
than soil for plant sustenance
 Does not require pesticides, require less water and space
 Reduction of habitat intrusions, fewer food miles, and fewer carbon
emissions
Drip-style Hydroponic System Flow-style Hydroponic System
The idea of urban rooftop HYDROPONIC FARMING can be the best
alternative

10.  In the early 1990s, it was introduced by a
group of agriculture professors in Ain Shams
University and was applied on a small scale
 In 2001, it was officially adopted by the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
 In 2011, FAO in coordination with the
Egyptian government launched the "Green
Food from Green Roofs" project.
 Different NGOs, public institutions and
private civil initiatives
 In 2013, the Desert Development Center
supported by the U.S. Forest Service
established the (AUC)’s extensive green roof
V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
1. Hydroponic Farming History in Egypt

11. 2. Organisations working in Cairo’s informal2. Organisations working in Cairo’s informal
areasareas
V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
1. ‘SHADUF’ in Dar-Elsalam and Elbasatin
2. UN for Women project at Ezbet Elhagana
3. ‘IBN KASSİR’, in Al-Zawya Al-Hamra
4. ‘NAWAYA’ in Saqqara
5. ‘Slow Food’ Egypt project
‘‘Schaduf’ is the most effective :Schaduf’ is the most effective :
Trained more than 80 farmers at three training centres
Around 40 rooftop gardens are constructed and running
Most residents earn between EGP600 ($86) and EGP1,000 ($143) a
month; from a 45 sq. m rooftop farm that requires less than 30 minutes
of labour a day
Financing, training and creating market connections
Help residents secure loans for construction, seeds and fertilizers

12. 3. Boundaries to rooftop gardens implementation in Egypt
V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
A) Lack of authoritative
standard
•Egypt does not have a
scientific guideline, specific
planning, building policies or
national standard
•Building Regulations don’t
have a direct reference to the
standards of roof construction
and other related restrictions
•Till now, NGOs use it as a
perception of social
development strategy
 Germany has a law (1989) that
requires the design of green roof in
new buildings
 In Berlin, 30% of all new building
constructions were approved
greening
 The German FFL guidelines is the
most influential document
worldwide for green roof design
 The city of Toronto oblige all new
buildings to be constructed with roof
gardens compromising 20-50% of
roof space, similar to the Tokyo
Green Plan passed in 2001

13. V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
B) Design and construction barriers
Low quality waterproofing systems
in buildings and the lack of
reliability of roof membranes
The choice of the most appropriate
irrigation system and the
importance of automated
monitoring to provide for rooftop
farms that do not require regular
personal maintenance
The relationship between areas of
vegetation and other structures or
uses on the roof
3. Boundaries to rooftop gardens implementation in Egypt

14. V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
Mechanical ventilation equipment.
The roof of the American University in New
Cairo
The weight of concrete ‘beds’ constructed to
support cultivated foam sheets on potentially
‘weak’ roofs
Satellite Dishes’ shade.
'Shaduf' project in less-privileged areas of
Maadi
RC columns intended for future vertical
expansion.
'Shaduf' project in Dar-Elsalam

15. D) Narrow plant selection
Not all ground plants suit the
living condition of rooftops.
The high elevation of rooftops
indicates the degree of wind
speed and moisture evaporation
which are normally faster than
on the ground.
The need for a comprehensive
understanding of species
appropriate to the egyptian
climate (lettuce, parsley, dill,
coriander, spinach).
V. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPTV. ROOFTOP GARDENS POTENTIALS IN EGYPT
C) Lack of awareness
Claims that it is beneficial in
the public buildings only.
A lack of acknowledge about
the implementation technologies
Unaware of environmental
issues involved.
Will lead to water leakage and
overloaded problems in their
houses.
In some more fortunate parts
of Cairo, residents see rooftop
farming as a lower class activity.
3. Boundaries to rooftop gardens implementation in Egypt

16. Challenges Opportunities or Recommendations
Lack of an Egyptian authoritative standards or
industry guidelines
• Production of guidelines for Egyptian roof farming.
• Interpretation of guidelines applicable to countries with similar
climates.
Lack of established local rooftop gardens
industry
• New Egyptian companies can be established.
• International companies can expand market opportunities.
Little scientific data available to evaluate
applicability to local climatic conditions
• New fields of collaborative research for scientists, potentially
attractive to industry.
• Application of research findings of similar climatic zones.
Green roofs have minimal inclusion in
Egyptian's building green pyramid rating
schemes and other planning policies
• Developing of a city or state specific policies and incentives to
increase uptake.
Few existing projects to inspire developers of
green roofs.
• Opportunity to establish 'best practice' from the beginning of the
egyptian industry.
• Projects have increased profile and publicity.
• Projects can attract government support.
Limited number of plants species
• Egyptian flora is drought adapted and some species should be
suitable for green roofs.
• Development of local nursery opportunities in new plant products.
Lack of knowledge and connections among
rooftop farming developers
• Encourages collaboration between industry, the government, NGOs
and researchers.
• New business opportunities identified and exploited.
VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONSVI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
iman.gawad@hq.helwan.edu.eg
 Attia, S., (2014), “Green Roof
Potential in Arab Cities”, Ecomena
 Malina, C., 2011, "Up on the roof:
implementing local government
policies to promote and achieve the
environmental, social, and economic
benefits of green roof technology“
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 http://growingpower.org/verticalfar
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 http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/
 http://www.gizmag.com/aerofarms-
urban-agriculture/1537/
 http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m20
15/2015/hydro_agriculture.html
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