How urban agriculture can mitigate urban heat island effects

Abstract

This thesis explores the efficiency of urban agriculture (UA) to mitigate the effects of the urban heat island UHI) effect. The thesis examines the causes and impacts of UHI and how UA may help to lessen some of its and the different types of UA that can be practiced in cities, which include rooftop vegetation vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics and community gardens. The research was conducted by reviewing existing literature on these topics and found that UA can help improve an area's urban microclimates through multiple environmental mechanisms. In addition, various economical and social benefits of UA are also presented and synthesized.