1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
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)
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)
Quantitative targets
To build 2 green roofs on 2 buildings in Haifa
To benefit 32,200 inhabitants, 14% of the Haifa's population
To organise a number of courses, "Green Roof Movers" that targets the Hadar neighborhood (the district were the project is implemented)
To include in the planting stage different species of plants: tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants, as well as for growing herbs, such as sage, louise, mint and more.(1,2,3)
To benefit 32,200 inhabitants, 14% of the Haifa's population
To organise a number of courses, "Green Roof Movers" that targets the Hadar neighborhood (the district were the project is implemented)
To include in the planting stage different species of plants: tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants, as well as for growing herbs, such as sage, louise, mint and more.(1,2,3)
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of green roofs planned
Number of people impacted by the project
Number of courses organized for the support of the action
Type of plant species implemented (1,2,3)
Number of people impacted by the project
Number of courses organized for the support of the action
Type of plant species implemented (1,2,3)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
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)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The intervention is considered a technological innovation as during the process from an infrastructural point of view the project used a hydroponic plant-growing system. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality. When a plant is grown in soil, its roots are perpetually searching for the necessary nutrition to support the plant. If a plant’s root system is exposed directly to water and nutrition, the plant does not have to exert any energy in sustaining itself. The energy the roots would have expended acquiring food and water can be redirected into the plant’s maturation. As a result, leaf growth flourishes as does the blooming of fruits and flowers. (1,5)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
This novel ecological project will serve as an exemplary example of sustainable urban agriculture in Haifa, mirroring similar developments in cities such as Paris, London and Barcelona. (1)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The Municipality of Haifa has in its plans to extend the initiative to other buildings from Haifa and create a best practices type of paper. As of 2021, 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)
6. Evaluation and learning
7. Sources
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
University of Haifa’s Kadas Green Roofs Ecology Research Center (1)
