Urban-Metabolic Farming Modules on Rooftops for Eco-Resilient Farmscape

The scarcity of land resources and food security challenges have prompted more effective uses of the rooftop as well as facade spaces in the urban city of Singapore. Urban rooftop spaces are used for mechanical and electrical (M&E) amenities such as air-conditioning cooling units and water tanks, so the spacious span of the roof area on HDB flats in Singapore is not available. Urban-metabolic farming modules (UmFm) built on 1.5 to 2 m terrace-step terrains have been modelled using BIM Revit to mimic such constraints in rooftop spaces. CFD simulation was conducted for the structure with consideration of the prevailing wind directions at different months of the year. The airflow with the inclusion of mesh netting and varying tiltings of the polycarbonate side facade was simulated to understand their impact on airflow in the growth envelope of the UmFm units under different prevailing wind directions. The amount of solar irradiance received by the crops at different heights in the UmFm due to the sun's path, and shading of crops grown on the A-frame, was studied using Climate Studio. A comparative verification was done with a scaffold modular unit mounted with temperature, humidity, airflow, and Photosynthesis Photon Flux Density (PPFD) sensors. The digital model of the UmFm unit enables a prior assessment of site feasibility before actual physical implementation on an existing rooftop. It also facilitates plug and play for the UmFm unit to generate an eco-resilient farmscape for an urban city.

Automated summary

The scarcity of land resources and food security challenges in Singapore's urban city have led to the need for more effective use of rooftop and facade spaces. By using BIM modeling and CFD simulation, urban-metabolic farming modules (UmFm) can be simulated and studied for their impact on airflow and solar irradiance. The digital model allows for a prior assessment of feasibility and enables the creation of an eco-resilient farmscape for the urban city.