Rather than share a lengthy thesis on how to turn vacant urban spaces into edible gardens, Parsons School of Design (New York) with Living Concrete-Carrot City exhibit shows concrete examples of what's happening.

Turning building roofs into gardens can help manage carbon emissions, clear the air, insulate and improve the view. You need a roof strong enough to carry that weight and proper drainage of course.

Living Concrete is actually a cross-collaboration with Carrot City: Designing for Urban Agriculture, an initiative of the Department of Architectural Sciences at Ryerson University in Toronto curated by Mark Gorgolewski, June Komisar and Joe Nasr.

What is the program trying to achieve?

"It demonstrates how increasing public interest in agriculture, food supply, and food security is influencing urban design and how design can facilitate a more robust urban food system. This wide-ranging survey of Canadian and American cases examines projects at multiple scales – the city, community and knowledge-building, home and rooftop projects, and a range of products. Living Concrete showcases design interventions and pedagogy that reconnect people and food production while transforming neighborhood livability, public health, and the environment."

Living Concrete is co-curated by Nevin Cohen and Radhika Subramaniam and takes place at Sheila C. Johnson Design Center (New School) until December 15, 2010.

Documentary Edible City (traiter above) will illustrate the trend.

From rooftops to window sills this Green Day # 151

Previously: Clubhouse for Good at Green Spaces, Tip Your Toes in Eco Business