A high perceniage of vacani space within downtown Vancouver is composed of inaccessible rooftops that, through green roof implementation, are capable of sustaining a network of accessible open space that supports urban food production. With an increasing local interest in urban agriculture, an organic rooftop food production technology is due to emerge on the marketplace. This study explores the development of urban agriculture within downtown Vancouver as a potential incentive for green roof implementation. Through an analysis of current research and a related case study, a design for an organic herb garden was developed for an existing green roof above a specialty-foods grocery store in downtown Vancouver. This model allows the green roof to support the growing and selling of organic food on-site, bringing the celebration of food production to the public realm, while strengthening the connection between the green roof, its' built form and the surrounding community. The design integrates a highly-productive organic herb garden with social areas for on-site residents and employees. Using developed indicators for sustainability, a final comparative analysis of the proposed design against the related case study and existing site was completed. This study informs new directions for the social function of the green roof, while recognizing how policy and regulations for future urban development can support the advancement of urban agriculture. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate

The topic of the diploma thesis BUT Area Kravi hora is a strategic study of the BUT area at Kravi hora from the previous semester to a scale of 1:200. The subject is the elaboration of the concept in order to bring together the interests of BUT and Brno city in this extraordinary territory for the benefit of both subjects. This work deals in detail with newly proposed objects in the BUT territory. A number of regulations have been issued in the territory limiting the subsequent use of the area, but the current area does not suit the existing potential of the site. The main concept was a creation of a set of buildings that will serve the University for representation and public activities, while allowing the access and use of the general public by the inhabitants of the city of Brno. The whole site will be set up in a newly-built city-wide park and other park areas that will create an attractive part of the now-inaccessible and unspoilt area connecting Veveri with Kravi hora. There will also be added additional features inspired by the existing features in the area, namely the Art Colony with ateliers, then Business Units and spacious Public Workshops. The entire Kravi hora area will be interwoven with a number of services serving both adults and children. The new proposal will also lead to the diversion of car traffic from the whole territory in order to ensure the safest relaxed movement of visitors. There will be numerous parking spaces located on the outskirts of the area. The main goal is to create a strong concept focusing on relaxation, health, education and sport, which should result in the overall opening and attractiveness of the territory.

The thesis BIKEZONE.cz - bike shop with residential units is processed in the form of project dokumenmtace containing all the elements in accordance with applicable regulations. The proposed facility is on a plot number 182/1, Prague. The building has four floors. There are vending establishment with administrative facilities and three deluxe units. The structural system is made of limestone blocks, prestressed concrete ceiling panels, flat green roof with extensive cultivation and vertical gardens on the facade.

The thesis describes design of an L-shaped two-storey office building in Chotěboř, which can work with saving energy and be careful to nature. Using renewable materials and new technical equipments. At the end of the design, there should be a building that will be architecturally interesting, energy-efficient and use renewable resources. It is a two-storey building, which is designed for office working and one part of building can be used for teaching science. Main roof on administration part has saddle shape, second roof on part which science centre has flat roof. Both roofs are intensive green roof overgrown with plants. For day illumination, there are design French windows with openings parts. Most of the first floor and the whole second floor belongs to offices and auxiliary staff rooms, toilets, etc. First floor also includes a small training centre with one classroom and necessary facilities (toilet, staff room, etc.). The load-bearing structures (foundations, walls, columns, floor and roof slabs, etc.) are designed from cast-in-place reinforced concrete. Load bearing vertical elements are walls, columns, and posts. Part of the first floor exceeding the layout of the second floor is covered with a flat green roof. Second floor is covered with a saddle green roof. All drawings and 3D rendering were done using ArchiCAD software.

The subject of proposal is a new dominant of the city of Brno. It is a building which will affect panorama of the city, a building which will be important part of a new South district and a new Brno Railway Station. The building will become orientation point in long-distance views as well as in the area. The proposal works with a building which is open and alive thanks to mix-use and public access on different height levels. Greenery forms the corner of the building and creates it’s identity. The base for architectural study became urban concept designed as a pre-diploma project. Important element of the concept is axis which draws the greenery from the river Svratka into the area and connects it with the new station. The Europoint – proposed building – becomes termination of the axis. The building is situated on a unique site which requires unique concept. The motive of the house is greenery and future vision of buildings which enrich surroundings in some ways. The basic volume is triangular and uses area of the site on maximum level with corner towards boulevard. This corner becomes the central element, especially from entry and view from the boulevard. I recreated the corner using vegetation into green and living. The green corner gives a new perspective on creating exposed corners, adds value to the urban area and creates identity of the building. The green motive intertwines with the building from entrance hall up to the bar at the highest floor. The volume of the building is defined by the inside usage and then form follows function. When choosing the functions I took into account needs of the area and took advantage of high-rise building. Commercial areas in the ground floor, administration centre of Czech Railways and conference rooms were created. The administrative use is added by co-working in the middle if the building, the upper part offers flats with view over Brno and in the crown is the highest placed bar in Brno.

Current global agricultural practices are recognized as unsustainable. The increase in overall human population as well as the global trend of rural to urban migration, partially as a result of historically and continual unsustainable agricultural practices, exacerbates the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in developing countries. Furthermore, cities and regions in developed countries practice unsustainable food production, distribution and consumption patterns, and as a result, exceed their global ecological footprint (Rees 2009). Consequently, the world is facing a global food (FAO 2009) and water crisis (UN Sick Water 2010). Cities and Regions must learn to feed themselves to address local food insecurity as well as protect from the climate effects of increased urbanization, including the Urban Heat Island effect (UHIe) by optimizing and fully integrating the local ecosystem services of food, water and forest within a tightly woven compact urban form through the implementation of strategic urban and regional food system planning. Cities can mitigate climate change and reduce the UHIe, by implementing sustainable intensive urban agriculture approaches through policy and zoning interventions that include concepts such as intensively productive urban agriculture that includes green roofs, vertical farming and greenways as continuously productive and edible urban landscapes, referred to in this paper as continuously productive urban agriculture and forestation (CPUAF) in the private and public realm. A highly participative, adaptive systems approach is explored as the key to sustainability within an economic world order that included corporate social responsibility and social enterprise as the foundation for the integration of multiple synergies. An increasing body of evidence often links urban forestation with urban greenery initiatives, as a carbon sink to reduce UHI effects, to reduce GHG emissions and as a tool for urban beautification and place making (ISDR: 2009,109). Urban agriculture, through the production of local food is increasingly recognized as a means to reduce fossil fuel emissions by reducing transportation and production outputs, to provide a secure local food source, enhance biodiversity and educate the public regarding food source while fostering a sense of community, environmental awareness and stewardship. This thesis explores the links between intensive urban agriculture and forestation, and the relationship between climate change, and the UHI’s as an adaptation and mitigation process in global cities, implemented as a interconnected, integrated, holistic urban management approach that has a further benefit of providing food security and a sustainable and local urban food source. / Dissertation (MTRP)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Town and Regional Planning / unrestricted

ANNOTATION On the banks of the Střední Novomlýnská reservoir, in the cadastre of the municipality of Strachotín, the diploma thesis presents the overall design of a multifunctional complex, based on a sensitive connection between organic farming, well-breeding, and eco-tourism. The proposal shows the concept of farming in a "closed circle", with regard to the environment. The urban solution deals with the selected land with an area of 20 ha. The architectural part closely introduces the system of objects, creating a new landscape, perceived by both a human and bird's eye perspective. The layout solution analyzes in detail the functional arrangement of the farm, trying to meet all the requirements for efficient management while maintaining the organic regime and the coexistence of visitors and employees. The complex also offers a restaurant, multifunctional hall, conference rooms, classrooms, workshops, a gym, and exhibition areas. Accommodation is provided by a system of separate buildings, presenting the current possibilities of natural construction and environmentally friendly technologies to the guests, while maintaining the comfort of living. The farm is fully equipped for weddings or corporate events. The design and material solution use a maximum of natural materials in combination with current technologies. In addition to designing a viable multifunctional unit, the aim of the thesis is also to bring added value to the region, by holding annual cultural events and regular activities for children and seniors from the surrounding municipalities. At the same time, the work aims to create a sensitive counterpoint to current tourist destinations in the area.