Building-integrated agriculture: Are we shifting environmental impacts? An environmental assessment and structural improvement of urban greenhouses

Urban and building systems are awash with materials. The incorporation of green infrastructure such as integrated rooftop greenhouses (iRTGs) has the potential to contribute buildings’ cities’ circularity. However, its greater sophistication than conventional agriculture (CA) could lead a shift in environmental impacts. One key elements for greenhouse building-integrated (BIA) CA achieve high levels performance is their structural design, which largely impacts economic life-cycle costs (by up 63%). In this context, study assessed iRTGs material energy flows burdens at level (m-2y-1) within life cycle assessment (LCA), based on case Barcelona. A following European standards allowed identification design factors minimize RTGs’ structure improvement scenarios. revealed that steel business-as-usual (BAU) scenario contributed from 31.5 67.3% impact categories analyzed, followed by polycarbonate covering (from 21.8 45.9%). responsible these were ground height, ventilation integration urban location. scenarios compensated additional inputs 35.9% decreased might occur BIA context 24.1% compared BAU scenario. also environments do not imply shifting per se, structures can benefit advantageous characteristics or be optimized structures.