SITE AVAILABILITY AND STAKEHOLDERS PERCEPTIONS OF COMMERCIAL ROOFTOP FARMING ON HDB MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS

Abstract

Singapore is famed as “The Garden City” with many lush greenery and clean environment in urban setting; however, most of such greenery are ornamental. Land is a scarce resource and priorities are given to nation building at the expense of land for agriculture purposes. This paper explores the possibility of making use of urban spaces for commercial urban agriculture, in particular, roofs of multi-storey car parks that are rarely fully occupied. The perception and acceptance of residents in close proximity of such farming activities and farming professionals or enthusiasts’ willingness to operate such farms in this locale are questions this paper seeks to answer. Urban farming trends are picking up not only in Singapore, but also other well-developed countries, having an open mind and collectively a more accepting society may be the keys to unlock a new definition to “The Garden City”.