Introducing Building Integrated Agriculture as green/sustainable building concept in MENA countries: approach and constraints

Abstract

In recent years, the emergence of Building-Integrated-Agriculture (BIA) in developed countries has been seen as a possible solution to promoting models of sustainable and productive building in urban areas. This approach, which is based on the installation of food production methods that combine innovative technology and soil-less growing systems, permit to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in and on buildings, while exploiting their resource outputs creating new synergies between the built environment and the food production system. In this scenario, MENA region has instituted an ambitious policy to promote and foster the concept of sustainable building construction in the coming years, but faces a variety of unique challenges. The main objective of this study is to explore and examine the possibility of implementing BIA as a new approach for sustainable building construction in the MENA region, particularly in Algeria, by presenting a future perspective of the practice, and investigate its conceptual, technological, governmental, social and economic barriers.