How They Got There: A Q&A With Rooftop Farmer Annie Novak | The Awl
Q: Are you starting a revolution? Will I look out in ten years over Greenpoint and see rooftop gardens there and there and there?
A: I think what we are hoping to inspire is just the spread of green roofs in general. Whether or not the green roofs produce food is something that is individual to the building owner and the people involved. Certainly, this is a city that needs more green roofs. We have a sewage system where the pipes are physically not large enough to accommodate the amount of septic waste and wastewater we produce. I would like to see more buildings, particularly in a city like New York where there is a lot of capital floating around. This isn’t the best time in the world, but we are known as a place where development is possible. The only thing that I can hope is that this project gets people excited about it, and that it’s seen as such a value to the building that more and more landowners decide that “Okay, I’m going to take away the soil footprint by putting in a building, but I’m going to keep that soil footprint and the capacity to hold storm water by putting a green roof on the top.” This is something that is not difficult. There’s new legislation out that says if your building is 100 feet or higher, you can put a green roof on without an excess of permitting as long as the green roof is four inches thick. It will make it easier for building owners.
Some of the more practical information in this interview — like how much a rooftop farm can earn per square foot — is great, and makes me want more.
Also raises questions about water use and reuse. Perhaps Eagle Street Rooftop Farm needs some design help to reclaim/recycle water?
(Source: foodte-ch)
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