Rooftop Gardens for Sustainable Livelihoods in Cape Town

Welcome

The purpose of this website is to highlight the experience of four Worcester Polytechnic Institute students conducting their Interactive Qualifying Project. We encourage you to explore and learn about what we accomplished while in the United States and abroad in Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract

High rates of unemployment afflict Cape Town, especially in the informal settlements surrounding the city. This project developed a rooftop gardening programme to create employment opportunities for unemployed and poor Cape Town residents. The rooftop gardening programme can promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and local food production, and if implemented at a large scale, could have a positive impact on dozens of low income households in Cape Town. Through GIS mapping, market research, and cost and revenue calculations, we have developed a programme to implement rooftop gardens in the Central Business District of Cape Town.

Meet the Research Team

Accomplishments in Cape Town

Cape Town Preparation

Cape Town Project Centre Context

To quickly access key resources discussed throughout the website click here.