Haifa Green Roofs' project

Creation of new green areas

The leadership of cities around the world, including Haifa, have recognized the possible consequences of extreme climate phenomena on the welfare and quality of life of residents and have begun preparing for them. As part of the Haifa2030 program of the municipality's strategic plan to fight climate change, the present initiative has several goals: 1. To prepare for global warming: In order to prepare for climate change, a city-wide effort in cooperation with municipal professionals is needed. Haifa 2030, in cooperation with the Environmental Unit, is preparing a program on issues such as urban preparedness for climate emergency situations, fire prevention, flooding, urban nature, its rehabilitation and connection to the community, energy efficiency and more. 2. To conserve and disperse vegetation in the city that will help reduce urban heat islands, lower its temperature in summer and cope with climate change – thickening and planting trees, shading the public space through urban parks, establishing community gardens, developing and implementing urban agriculture projects (green roofs, landscaping in home spaces) 3. To absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, thereby improving air quality in the urban environment. A green roof means improved thermal insulation, indoor climate and noise absorption (acoustic insulation), while the protected roof sealing enables utilization of rainwater for irrigation, moderates its flow into the municipal drainage system and thus helps prevent flooding. 4. Gardens on the roofs of public and private buildings in the city (the “fifth façade”) increase the green lung in the public space, thereby contributing to the environment, enhancing the city’s appearance and reducing the “urban heat island” phenomenon. 5. The use of green roofs corresponds with the permaculture approach that emphasizes the connection between the environment, community and urban agriculture, and strives to achieve a sustainable balance between them 6. To provide a critical habitat in otherwise highly limited urban environments to house ecological communities, thus increasing urban biodiversity. (1,2,3,4)

The project was initiated in 2020 and concluded in 2021. For the first time, the municipality has established a hydroponic plant-growing system on the roof of the city’s Resident Service Center building (11, Hassan Shukri St.) and inaugurated its first community-operated green roof. The roof was planned in cooperation with the University of Haifa’s Kadas Green Roofs Ecology Research Center, and the local community in Hadar will maintain the garden. In February, 30 residents of the trendy, yet neglected Hadar neighbourhood began the first city-run training course for green roofers. Due to the high demand for registration, the plan is to open more courses in other neighbourhoods in cooperation with the community workers who will run the project under the Administration’s guidance. Graduates of the first course are also invited to volunteer meetings and training sessions that will help them deepen their knowledge about growing food on a roof or balcony. Citizens will also help to cultivate and maintain the Resident Service Center roof, and participate in choosing and planting new vegetation. The municipality is offering the roof for a cooperative agricultural activity to encourage urban agriculture, sustainable nutrition and a circular economy. And a second research roof is currently being erected on top of City Hall. Now the city is mapping all the municipal buildings deemed suitable for gardens of vegetables and edible plants that will serve local residents if they are actively involved.(1)

• Local government/Municipality
• Researchers/University
• Citizens or community groups
• Marginalized groups: Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)