Onto the Roof! Roof Agriculture for a Sustainable Urban Future

This evening, we are thrilled to host Ben Flanner, founder of Brooklyn Grange from New York, a pioneering rooftop farming company for an inspiring event on how we can cultivate a sustainable future in the Israeli urban space.

Founded in 2010, Brooklyn Grange operates the largest agricultural roof farms in the world of sustainable agriculture. Across nearly 30 dunams in Brooklyn and Queens they produce over 50,000 kg of organic vegetables annually. The produce is sold in farmer markets throughout the city, with 30% of its yield donated as part of a community program encouraging food security.

In Tel Aviv-Yafo, approximately 47,000 buildings (as of 2022) offer around 18,800,000 m2 of roofs. As the city’s population continues to grow, the need for nearby, accessible, open green spaces grows, yet these rooftops remain an untapped urban resource. The Urban roof layer could serve as vibrant spaces for human interaction, growing of healthy, fresh produce and solar energy generation. Developing roof spaces is vital also to deal with urban heat islands, improving air quality, holding surface runoff and minimizing floods, reducing carbon footprint, and supporting urban wildlife.

Join us at sunset on our roof to hear about the New York model as an inspirational example for adapting Israeli cities to climate challenges with adequate housing and healthy environment, despite the density. Be part of a growing movement that envisions a vibrant urban future on city roofs, with access to open green spaces, right at our doorstep.

Program:

19:00 - The Vision of Urban Roofs and a New Policy for Sustainable Planning | The Unit for Sustainable Planning, the City Architect

19:15 - Onto the Roof! On the Importance of Green Roofs for the Future of City Life | Ben Flanner, founder of Brooklyn Grange

20:00 - Q&A

The event is a collaboration with “Irgun Gag (Roof Organization)” – Promoting Roof Culture in Israel