The urban orchards will be covered by a greenhouse in order to avoid that contaminant particles (heavy metals) which come from urban contamination are deposited over the crops. Rainwater will be harvested and nutrients will be circulated.

During the winter, the CO2 of flue gas heating boilers is used in order to carry out the carbonic fertilization. During the rest of the year, porous materials are used to capture the CO2.

“Urban orchards are specially indicated to absorb the CO2 produced in the heating boilers of the buildings, during the gasoil combustion, natural gas or biomass in the winter time”

Environment

• Currently the number of people living in cities is higher than the rural habitants.
• Around 90% of the EU population which live in cities are exposed to atmospheric contaminants which are considered as nocuous by the World Health Organization  [European Environment Agency, 2013].
• In Spain, approximately 50% of population is exposed to higher levels of ozone and tropospheric nitrogen particles [European Environment Agency, 2013].

Health

• A bad quality of the air produces high risks for human health and can cause or contribute to the development of illness such as cardiovascular and breath diseases or lung cancer.
• Air contamination has a big economic impact reducing life expectancy, increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity.

Food production

• Growing vegetables and fruits in the cities means less contamination and the minimization of the economic waste during transport.

“In order to achieve a healthy urban environment will be enough to landscape 10-20% of all roofs of the city”

• Costs due to the contamination in EU are estimated from 330 to 940 billion € per year (absence of work, less productivity, health waste...). There were around 400 000 premature deaths in 2010 [European Union].
• 1m2 vegetation cover makes the amount of oxygen required by a person in the whole year. It captures from the environment 50 grams of CO2 per day; it isolates thermally the building around 5°C; it reduces the acoustic contamination in 10 db; it produces fruits and vegetables in more quantity, quality and precocity; it does not consume electrical energy [Darlington, 2001].

• The greenhouse will avoid the deposition of contaminant particles (heavy metals) from urban contamination.
• It will harvest the rainwater.
• Uptake and utilization, during the winter, of flue gas heating boilers.
• Self-powered, generating night light.
• The circulation of nutrient solutions will be done.
• It moderates the temperature of the building.

“Beyond creating landscaped spaces in cities for private enjoyment, the trend is to create spaces that improve the urban environment ”