Alireza Moghayedi Of The University of the West of England (UWE) On How Rooftop Farmers are Cultivating Green Spaces in Urban Landscapes
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Invest in the future — the initial set-up cost of an innovative urban farm or rooftop farm may be higher than traditional farms but over the life cycle, the returns on investment are higher.
Urban areas are often seen as concrete jungles with limited green spaces. However, a growing number of innovative farmers are transforming rooftops into lush, productive gardens. These rooftop farms not only provide fresh produce but also contribute to environmental sustainability, improve urban aesthetics, and offer unique solutions to food security challenges. How are these rooftop farmers cultivating green spaces in urban landscapes, and what can we learn from their experiences? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alireza Moghayedi.
Alireza Moghayedi is a Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at the University of the West of England (UWE). He holds a PhD in Construction Economics and Management, a Master’s in civil engineering (major in transportation), a Master’s in Construction Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in the Middle East, where we faced many challenges related to the environment, the economy and social equality. Much of the region didn’t have access to fresh water, pollution levels were high and people had limited access to fresh and nutritious food. When I was a child, I wanted to do something to help people suffer less from these conditions, so that’s why I wanted to work in sustainable development. When I heard about technological innovations and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the early 2000s, I wanted to integrate this kind of technology to benefit people. I studied civil engineering, did a double Master’s degree in transportation and construction, and a PhD in construction economics and management. A decade ago, I moved to South Africa and now, I’m very much focused on improving sustainability through technological innovations .
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most interesting and fulfilling experiences in my career has been the opportunity to improve the quality of life for marginalized communities, particularly in Africa, by leveraging advanced and smart technologies. I remember one project vividly, where we introduced 3D printing technology to build homes. The moment a family, that had lived in poverty their entire lives, witnessed their dream home being printed in just eight hours was nothing short of miraculous. The awe and wonder on their faces as they saw their future unfold before their eyes in such a short time was incredibly moving.
Another memorable experience was working with a poor community to establish innovative urban farms in their neighborhoods. By helping them grow healthy food not only for their families but also to sell for income, we enabled them to save money for essential needs, like sending their children to school. Seeing a community transform from struggling to thriving because of a simple yet innovative solution is a reminder of why I chose this career path.
These experiences have not only been interesting but also deeply rewarding, as they demonstrate the tangible impact that technology can have in uplifting communities and creating lasting change.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I’m currently working on a project called “Innovative Urban Farm 4 Everyone”, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Distinguished International Associates program. The project has developed a prototype of a mobile vertical smart farm system that can be customized to fit buildings of any size and managed with the help of AI.
I was inspired by the number of abandoned and vacant buildings in South Africa, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic when demand for office space declined. The project carried out several feasibility studies to assess the environmental, social and economic viability of urban farming, and found abandoned buildings and vacant office blocks would be suitable. Not only would this kind of urban farming help bring fresh food to the city and reduce food prices, it would also improve the environmental sustainability of urban food systems and cities by reducing the traffic and carbon footprint associated with moving food from rural to urban areas.
I am currently negotiating with authorities in South Africa to use one such empty building to demonstrate the prototype, which includes a complete app-based smart farming system, from lighting to pumps and pipes. In Europe, vertical farming systems tend to be produced to one specification, but our model can be used for as little as one 20×30 floor or rooftop. I am also developing a manual to ensure that even people without much agricultural knowledge can use the urban farm system thanks to the integration of AI.
How does urban rooftop farming contribute to the sustainability and environmental health of cities?
Innovative urban farming in the form of rooftop or vertical farming that incorporates innovative technologies can improve the sustainability of urban food systems by minimizing the need for traditional farm inputs, such as pesticides and fertilizers, reducing the degradation of natural resources such as land and water sources. Our smart urban farm prototype does not use soil, using only a circular irrigation system and a few additional nutrients.
Crop production in an isolated building, where factors such as wind and temperature are controlled via innovative technologies requires around 50 per cent less space and 80 per cent less water compared to traditional farming uses.
Productivity from vertical farms is high as production is not limited by seasons or climate, allowing food to be harvested throughout the year. Rooftop farms also make use of sunlight to reduce energy demands, meaning the carbon footprint is much lower the traditional farms across the whole life cycle, including transportation of food.
Producing fresh food in urban areas also improves diets in cities by improving the availability of healthy, nutritious food while also driving down prices.
What innovative techniques and technologies are being used in urban smart farming to maximize space and yield?
Innovations such as the Internet of Things and AI offer enormous opportunities to innovate urban farming systems, improving efficiency, productivity and yield. For example, incorporating autonomous pumps for filtration helps to streamline the system, reducing the burden on farm managers and removing the risk of human error. Digital shadow technology allows the entire farm to be monitored and controlled from a distance while also increasing the precision of the system to ensure the crops receive only the nutrients and resources they needed, minimizing waste.
As a next step, our project is looking to develop a kind of marketplace to sell products from urban farms to local restaurants, and supermarkets. Many high-end restaurants are already using similar vertical farms on-site to provide fresh food for their kitchens, but a digital platform would help grow the market for urban produce.
How do you overcome the challenges of soil quality and plant health in a rooftop environment?
Our system does not use soil, only water, and everything is carefully controlled by technology within a closed circuit, reducing the risk of plant diseases.
What are “5 Things You Need to Know to Create a Successful Rooftop Urban Farm” and why?
1 . The sky is the limit — while vertical farming has traditionally required a large space, new modular farming systems such as ours can be assembled in any size available, which means space is no longer a limitation for innovative urban farming or rooftop farms.
2 . Invest in the future — the initial set-up cost of an innovative urban farm or rooftop farm may be higher than traditional farms but over the life cycle, the returns on investment are higher.
3 . Work smarter, not harder — the technological innovations such as AI, IoT and digital shadows of farms can comprehensively manage and streamline multiple processes within innovative urban farms, which increases efficiency in a user-friendly way.
4 . Adapt and grow — growing locally adapted crops is integral to the success of innovative urban farms. Not only will this maximize the chance of successful harvests, but it also ensures an end market is available.
5 . Spread the word — Raising awareness of the advantages of smart urban farming will help encourage others, helping to sustain continued innovation in vertical and rooftop farming.
In what ways do innovative urban farms engage and benefit the local community?
By empowering local communities with knowledge and resources, innovative urban farms have a positive social impact on participants and beneficiaries. Communities become more self-reliant in food production, fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Innovative urban farms help to create jobs within the city, contributing to a thriving food economy.
What role do innovative urban farms play in addressing food security and urban food deserts?
An estimated 70 per cent of the global population will live in urban areas by 2050. As land and other natural resources become increasingly scarce, and as the pace of urbanization accelerates, innovative urban farms will play a growing role in meeting demand for healthy, nutritious food, particularly in the Global South. Innovative urban farms also contribute to greater resilience by ensuring cities are not reliant on rural areas for food supplies, which are vulnerable to shocks such as climate extremes and pandemics.
What future trends do you see emerging in the field of urban farming?
Innovations for smart urban and rooftop farming are becoming increasingly sophisticated thanks to the advancement of technological innovations, making farming more accessible to those with limited agricultural knowledge or experience.
We are also seeing the adoption of rooftop or vertical farms growing among the hospitality and retail sectors to create more self-sufficient operations that do not rely on costly imports or deliveries.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
My project is called “Innovative Urban Farm 4 Everyone” because I truly believe that advances in technology have created the conditions for anyone to participate in farming. This democratization of agriculture can pave the way for greater food security and equality if it can be scaled up around the world.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
More information about Innovative Urban Farm 4 Everyone is available online here, and readers can follow me on LinkedIn here, and X here.
This was very inspiring and informative. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this interview!
About The Interviewer: Martita Mestey is celebrated as a leader in sustainable agriculture and AgTech due to her tireless efforts to modernize the industry, placing a strong emphasis on equity and sustainability. As the founder of FarmdOut, her commitment to harnessing advanced technology and substantiated research shines through her endeavors to confront ecological issues within contemporary agriculture. Guided by Mestey, FarmdOut has become a pioneer in mapping all farms across the United States and Puerto Rico. By leveraging satellite imagery, computer vision, sensor technology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this initiative yields comprehensive data that empowers farmers to make informed decisions about crop cultivation, land use, and sustainable practices. Mestey is renowned for championing the welfare of farmers, frequently addressing issues of burnout while fostering resilience within the farming community. Her fervor for cultivating the next generation of farmers is evident in her focus on diversity, innovation, and eco-friendly practices. In addition to her hands-on work with FarmdOut, Mestey also disseminates her knowledge and enthusiasm via her popular interview series in Authority Magazine. This initiative stimulates broader engagement in the transition towards a healthier, more sustainable food system. At its core, Mestey’s mission is to promote a more democratic agricultural industry, advocating for a food system that is simultaneously sustainable and equitable.
Alireza Moghayedi Of The University of the West of England (UWE) On How Rooftop Farmers are… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.