Green rooftops and vertical gardens are two examples of how cities can effectively tackle the problems arising from the lack of green spaces in urban areas.

With urbanization growing rapidly, cities urge to develop strategies to avoid the complete loss of green spaces in urban areas, since this can have negative repercussions on the health and well-being of its citizens as well as on the environment.

Rooftop farms enable food production and have the potential to provide for urban populations by utilizing spaces that are typically unused. Rooftop gardens are becoming an important part of the recent rejuvenation of urban agriculture. In addition, rooftop agriculture can improve other ecosystem services, such as urban biodiversity.[1] Urban agriculture is expected to become more popular, as human populations become more urbanized and consumers become more interested in local foods. This can benefit local economies and reduce carbon emissions associated with food transportation. A 40-50 m2 vegetable garden can provide one person with vegetables, fruit, and herbs.

In 2019, the Egyptian government has launched in El Cairo the Green Food from Green Roofs (GFGR) program, financed by the Scientific Research Academy, in support of rooftop farming. Such a program was developed in response to major problems that El Cairo is facing, like decreasing air quality and fresh food scarcity. Therefore, the objective of the GFGR was both stimulating sustainable diets, getting people to grow their food, and reducing pollution levels.[1] To reach the objectives of the program, recommended by the UNFCCC, several pilot projects, awareness-raising programs, and education on the potential benefit of rooftop farming have been developed and promoted by the Egyptian government. Moreover, the government plan has sustained the rise of various actors collaborating to foster the spreading and innovation of rooftop farms around the city. For example, the company Shaduf is among the leading enterprises in the rooftop farms business in El Cairo today. Shaduf builds hydroponic systems to grow vegetables in a various climatic setting by means of a different range of technologies.[2] The policy support to businesses like Shaduf is likely to lead to a fast scaling up of the process of urban greening and sustainable food production in the city of El Cairo and maybe even in other urban areas in Egypt.