Identification of Potential Rooftops for Gardening and Contributions of RTGs to Improve the Socio-economic Condition and Promote a Sustainable Urban Environment in the Changing Climatic Condition of Bangladesh

Abstract

Over the last few decades, Bangladesh with a large population is going through rapid urbanisation to meet increasing demands. Anthropogenic activities enhance carbon emissions which ultimately trigger heat stress in the city areas. Habitats for new urbanised people and existing high-rise buildings have already created a scarcity of land. Therefore, one of the probable solutions considered by the researchers to minimise this heat stress is rooftop gardening (RTG). A systematic study has been performed on Dhaka city through a survey, Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis and Key Informant Interviews (KII). This research has identified existing rooftop gardens and potential rooftops for gardening and identified the factors that hinder the process of maintaining RTG. It has also explored the conditions that enable city dwellers to implement rooftop gardens in Dhaka city. Analysis showed that 38% of the rooftops were vegetated, and the other 62% of rooftops were non-vegetated which can be considered potential rooftops for making RTG. The temperature difference between buildings with RTG and without RTG was also measured and analysed through the discomfort index (DI). Several socio-economic barriers, weakness in city governance and lack of environmental consciousness hinder the potential that a rooftop garden can offer. However, some people maintain rooftop gardens for socio-economic and environmental advantages. The research will help policymakers to plan a sustainable urban environment in Dhaka city.