Identification of factors for active use of rooftop greenhouses in Korea: Based on analysis of foreign exemplary cases

Identification of factors for active use of rooftop greenhouses in Korea: Based on analysis of foreign exemplary cases

Background and objective: There are a growing international consensus regarding the importance of achieving carbonneutrality and ensuring food security, particularly because of the “global boiling.” Rooftop greenhouses (RTGs), whichreduce carbon emissions from buildings and facilitate urban agriculture, have attracted the attention of the internationalcommunity as a new form of urban agriculture. Despite considerable interest in RTGs in Korea, their implementation faceslimitations owing to a lack of relevant legal bases and policies. Methods: We aimed to investigate exemplary cases to identify the essential factors for greenhouse operations and presentthese factors and the necessary direction for the active use of RTGs in Korea. A literature review was conducted using RTGand integrated RTG (i-RTG)-related scientific papers, books, news articles, brochures, official websites, and local governmentguidelines from the United States (US) and Canada where RTGs are actively used. Results: We identified the factors required for the stable operation of RTGs in Korea: long-term support and cooperationfrom building owners, initial operating capital, differentiated distribution strategies, and a review of relevant laws andregulations. The latter has emerged as an important factor in identifying the legal and policy limitations associated with theoperation and management of RTGs in advance. Furthermore, we discuss the need and direction for creating guidelinesfor RTGs to introduce and review related content. While RTGs are gaining global attention as a new form of urbanagriculture, Korea lacks the relevant legal and policy bases. Conclusion: There is a persistent need for guidelines outlining each step in the active use of RTGs at the local governmentlevel. In addition, continued discussions among the relevant experts are essential. Establishing legal and policy bases forRTGs should promote their active use, ultimately contributing to achieving carbon neutrality and promoting urban agriculture.