From Grey to Green
Alisha and Hafsa Rafi
Aligarh Muslim University, alishakafeel@gmail.com, hafsa.rafi@outlook.com
Abstract - During the modern era of human development,
growth of towns and cities has displayed a separation
between nature and human activities. This high rate of
global population increase has caused the problems of
climate change, deforestation and global warming. In
order to address these challenges, specific tools and
strategies of urban horticulture and vegetative
architecture are adopted. These practices have been
known to reduce urban heat island effect. Moreover, these
practices can make cities more habitable. The
rejuvenation of different types of areas, is exemplified in
case study of Bologna, Italy. Different typologies of vacant
lands that could be rejuvenated as urban horticulture
spaces are identified such as, flower beds along streets,
abandoned buildings, balconies, rooftops etc. such
activities also empower citizens to take care of derelict
sites. This paper aims to analyse such current practices in
the remediation of degenerated urban areas and
deteriorated buildings and to rejuvenate derelict sites as
urban gardens.
Keywords- Derelict sites, Rejuvenation, Remediation, Urban
Horticulture, Vegetative Architecture
INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUE
Gradual increase in population density of urban cities and the
subsequent decrease in the population of rural densities due to
migration has led to non-uniform population density in urban
cities. This, in turn, has created two different scenarios –a site
which is overly populated and the other which is vacant and
has been neglected and left to rot.
In the case of abandoned sites, the land is not being
used to its potential. Whereas, the intensely populated areas
are being overburdened by heavy land use activity. These two
contrasting situations have emerged to some extent as a
consequence of one another. These sites are facing land
degradation as a result of decades of negligence towards the
land as a resource. Mindless construction activity, heavy land
use activity, disposal of soil contaminating chemicals, soil
erosion in barren lands, have either interrupted or completely
impeded the natural process of land remediation.
ORIGIN
The change in population density of these areas, surely didn’t
take place in a day. A pattern of migration has been
formulated on the basis of several social, political and
economic factors which states the key reasons for migration
of people.
I. ‘The push and pull factors of migration’
The push factors refer to people migrating as a necessity and
due to the absence of any other alternative. Whereas, the pull
factors refer to the characteristics of a place which draws the
interest of people to settle in that area.
Economic factors such as lack of employment
opportunities, failure of crops in agriculture are major push
factors of migration.
II. Agriculture: A cycle of debt
Agriculture being the prime occupation in rural areas serves
as the only source of income for people. But due to seasonal
variations leading to crop failure, the people are mounded by
huge debts. Ultimately, they are left with two options- either
suffer the consequences of the vicious cycle of debt or sell
their land and move to cities for starting a new life.
Thus, Lack of employment opportunities is a push factor
which compels people to move to urban settlements to start
up new businesses other than cultivating crops. Due to this,
people migrate from rural to urban settlements for better
prospects in terms of employment opportunities and job
security. (Crow, 2010)
III. Infrastructure and facilities
Another push factor is the lack of infrastructure and public
services in rural areas, such as proper health care facilities,
schools, roads and transportation facilities. Due to the absence
of good institutions, the younger generation travels to the
cities for acquiring higher education. Infrastructure, on the
other hand is the pull factor for settling in cities due to their
appealing modern lifestyle and good public services such as
transport, education and health care facilities. (Kainth, 2009)
In this way, the migration of people from rural to urban
areas leaves cultivable land behind, causing erosion of the
topmost fertile layer of soil. This abandoned site is rendered
to undergo degradation. On the other hand, the cities have to
accommodate the steadily growing population and is being
extensively used. In this way, the creation of vacant lands is
due to the migration to densely populated cities. However,
migration is not the only cause to increasing number of
abandoned sites in a country.
Mills and industries shutdown due to outdated
technology or immense soil contamination and hence they
lead to generation of derelict sites.
 CASES IN INDIA
I. Derelict sites
Mills in Mumbai were shutdown long time back during the
great strike of Bombay textile mills. Till now their future is
uncertain as some are tangled in lawsuits, others in hope of
initiation of some restoration projects, possibly in the next
decade. The Western India Mill and the New city Bombay
Mill are living examples of abandoned buildings. (Mandlik,
2012) which are too big to be auctioned as a whole or are
denied funds from the government to undergo restoration.
These structures stand dilapidated and without a purpose.
II. Densely populated areas
Many residential areas are denied government sanctions.
Hence people are forced to carry out heavy construction
activities in unauthorised lands, leading to the formation of
closely built spaces. Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi is facing
environmental degradation due to the lack of green spaces and
unplanned character of the place. The high population density
has contributed to the demand of physical infrastructure such
as roads and various public amenities. Moreover, this has
resulted in poor maintenance of existing services of drainage
and parking. This has caused shortage of land which in turn
has led to encroachment of land allotted for recreational parks
and other green spaces. People are using these land resources
recklessly and polluting the environment thoughtlessly. This
mindless exploitation of resources by people in the name of
rebelling against the administration is eventually stifling their
own future generations. Seeking redressal for these problems
a stoppage towards these practices are required.
IMPLICATIONS
I. Densely populated areas
Due to unplanned construction by private contractors in
unsanctioned land, the area allotted for green spaces is being
used to build houses to maximise profits. As a result, the
urban settlements are converted into perplexing cascades of
concrete blocks. Also, due to the lack of pre-planned notion
of placement of buildings, the area experiences shortage of
space. Hence, the buildings are built too close to one another,
leaving a very narrow path in between, the so-called road.
This road is heavily congested with traffic most of the time.
Moreover, the closeness of the buildings creates privacy
issues and security issues.
Many facilities like sanitation, proper sewage facilities,
electricity also are being compromised with to some extent
due to shortage of funds and neglect by government for the
provision of these.
Extensive concreting of natural ground has decreased the
seepage of rainwater into the ground, further leading to drop
in the underground water table. Moreover, owing to the non-
existent or outdated sewage and garbage disposal systems, the
seepage of polluted water takes place, contaminating the
ground water and reducing the permeability of soil. The major
water supplies of these area are recharged through
underground water tables. As a result of this soil and water
pollution, an increase has been observed in the number of
water borne diseases in the residents of this area.
Most importantly, in these areas, the percentage of green
space is compromised with to construct houses. Due to this
extreme deficiency of green cover in densely populated
metropolitans, in the past decade, a drastic rise has been
recorded in the number of people suffering from respiratory
disorders. The key reason to this is the severely degenerated
air quality.
Therefore, the unplanned construction activity has
hampered circulation in these areas, spoiled the air quality and
the overburdening construction activity has caused land
degradation to the extent that natural process remediation of
land resource is unable to resolve these issues further. These
issues are not only causing damage to the environment but
also pose potential threats to human health.
II. Derelict sites
The unoccupied land in cities is used either as dumping
ground or in some cases as a wasteland on which weeds grow.
Both of these ruins the potentiality of that land. The
agricultural land, left behind due to migration undergoes
erosion of the fertile soil layer, rendering the land barren for
all sorts of vegetation. Besides this, the empty plot is often
used as a ground for setup of stalls and weekly markets or is
utilised by daily wage workers as their dwelling place.
The abandoned sites such as shutdown industries, closed
mills and sites under legal issues are major areas of concern.
Deserted buildings pose a threat of becoming a hideout for
criminals. Besides this, the land on which industries were
functional, is contaminated with chemicals. This land needs
to be treated before it can be used for any other purpose.
Moreover, if left untreated, these contaminants pollute the
groundwater reservoirs. Areas in close proximity to shutdown
chemical industries often experience skin diseases and endure
harmful diseases like cancer due to the exposure to harmful
chemicals.
On a larger scale, the earth as a whole is undergoing
severe climatic changes due to critical change in its
landscaping. The impression of grey over green is causing
global warming and sudden climatic changes which haven’t
been recorded in the past decades of the climatic history of
the region. These areas undergoing sudden climatic changes
pose threats of undergoing the extremities of desertification.
EXISTING APPROACH
Several initiatives have been taken to regenerate air quality in
India. The initiative taken at individual level consists of
rooftop gardening. But this practice hasn’t been purely
functional on a greater scale due to several reasons. Firstly,
the initial investment of setting up the garden is very high.
Even after setup, the maintenance of the garden becomes a
cumbersome and a time-consuming process for one person to
handle. With nuclear families being in trend nobody has the
time or the energy to devote to a recreational activity such as
a garden.
Along with this, many factors regarding the stability and
the load bearing capability of the existing structure have to be
considered. If the building isn’t structurally capable of
withstanding the load of the soil, the pots etc. the practice
cannot be initiated by compromising the structure of building.
In India, the construction managers often violate the building
protocols. Due to this, the buildings are not able to withstand
the existing loads on them. Therefore, adding roof gardens on
the old, dilapidated or the structurally weak buildings would
add to the existing set of problems instead of solving it.
Moreover, in housing societies, permissions are required
to setup gardens on roofs. Therefore, the existing approach of
rooftop gardening failed to function at individual level, but
has the potentiality to serve as a beneficial practice to be
introduced as planned feature in the upcoming societies. Also,
in the existing structures the practice can be beneficial if done
at a community level and by the consultation of an expert in
the field.
Emerging companies and the new industries are to follow
the standard construction protocols provided by LEED. An
association called GBCI has been set up in association with
LEED to monitor buildings so that the newly constructed
buildings have planned vegetative architecture incorporated
in it.
As far as the abandoned buildings are concerned, like the
example of mills. They usually are transformed into housing
facilities. The Mumbai mills are headed towards
accommodating houses for the mill workers. Several other
projects of restoration of these closed down mills have been
initiated but these haven’t seen the implementation yet. The
progress and utilisation of these projects are completely
dependent on sanction of the government and no public
participation is incorporated in these practices. Due to this,
there is often delay or subsequent drop of the project due to
the absence of public pressure.
CASE STUDY: BOLOGNA
For the case study the city of Bologna, Italy has been selected.
Here, numerous forms of vacant areas are identified for urban
horticulture and vegetative architecture practices. The vacant
areas are being converted into urban green gardens along with
this; innovative methods are used for turning concrete into
green infrastructure. This brings out the idea of mixed used
buildings. (Yeang, 2007)
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-romanga which is
the part of northern Italy. Bologna is the agriculture
powerhouse of the region. Moreover, it is the financial,
industrial and transportation hub of Italy. Bologna is also
considered as one of the wealthiest city of province.
(wikipedia, n.d.)
For the purpose of protection and replenishment of
environment city council is responsible. It has been observed
that percentage of land used has increased from 30.7% in
1989 to 36.5% in 2011, but the percentage of green public
spaces remained constant i.e. about 8%. (Mirabile &
Chiesura, 2007)
Bologna has always been an inventor of new and
ingenious practice of urban horticulture and vegetative
architecture. This has resulted in vast amount of urban
initiatives that started from 1970s. In the present scenario,
around 2700 urban gardens are available for citizens of all age
groups. The maintenance and management responsibility of
these urban gardens is undertaken by both public and
municipality. Moreover, the first rooftop development was
supported by city council. In the year 2000 bologna was
among the first Italian countries to join urban green plan.
(Orsini, Kahane, Nono-Womdim, & Gianquinto, 2013)
(Djalali) (Orsini, et al., 2014). Along with this, Bologna has
also signed the Milan urban food policy act, which embodies
sustainable food policies. (Smith, Lang, Vorley, & Barling,
2016)
Concerning the condition of derelict sites and vacant
lands Italian polices have been made. These policies
encompass the development of public participation activities
for the development and maintenance of urban lands and
vacant sites. Moreover, city council sanctioned operational
programme for urban regeneration in 2014. This programme
contains 30 initiatives for regeneration and remediation of
urban lands and vacant sites. (Comune di Bologna., 2014)
In this city, four types of vacant space have been identified for
implementation of urban horticulture and vegetative
architecture. These are spaces along the streets, neglected and
derelict neighbourhoods. (Daniela Gasperi 1, et al., 2016)
Additionally, terraces, galleries and balconies of abandoned
buildings are also counted.
BENEFITS
Spaces along streets and squares often appear abandoned and
degraded. But the strategies of guerrilla gardening have
improved the image of streets and squares. This is achieved
by providing flower beds and a touch of greenery. Moreover,
urban open air flat surfaces can be used for rooftop farming
and vertical farming. Even though each rooftop covers a
minimal area but when taken as whole, they contribute a lot
to the city. Also, these rooftops and urban open flat surfaces
when done with horticulture and vertical farming remain
unaffected by human activities, as these vertical faces are in
minimal contact to humans. Thus, resulting in less damage to
the vegetative system. These pragmatic soilless systems have
reduced manual labour, has provided food security, and has
intensified the production. (Daniela Gasperi 1, et al., 2016).
Additionally, this has resulted in reduction in environmental
pollution. In Bologna, about 82 hectares of flat rooftops has
generated more than three quarters of urban food needs.
(Antisari, Orsini, Marchetti, Vianello, & Gianquinto, 2015)
The same can be done with abandoned buildings. Green roofs
in addition can minimise the electricity bills by lowering the
cost of heating in winter and keeping rooms cool during
summers. Other benefits include improving the property
value. These activities have also resulted in increased
employment rate. Thus, helping the city to prosper.
 Urban horticulture and vegetative architecture can also The spaces are:
become a solution of re-ruralisation of abandoned • Flowerbeds along streets and square
neighbourhoods. These abandoned neighbourhoods can be • Balconies and rooftops
converted into agricultural powerhouse, to pursue food • Abandoned building
security and environmental security. Moreover, it helps in • Abandoned neighbourhood
preventing soil erosion and stops the phenomena of top soil Remediation of these four types of spaces have resulted
removal. (Palmer, Santo, & Kin, 2016).These practices in improving image of the city. (Daniela Gasperi 1, et al.,
increase the food growth; meanwhile they also decrease the 2016)
carbon footprint of the city. These practices are sustainable in
nature as they make use of biodegradable compost. Moreover,
these practices save the transportation cost of food from rural
to urban areas. In this way both physically and culturally,
these tools and practices has regenerated the derelict sites and
abandoned neighbourhood. (Daniela Gasperi 1, et al., 2016).
Moreover, these practices empower citizens by increasing the
desire to take care of vacant areas that are usable for whole
community.
From this point of view, every void or unused space and
urban fabric can be considered a vacant area and can be turned
into a community garden and an abandoned public building
can become a place of urban renewal. (Daniela Gasperi 1, et
al., 2016)

PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The methodological scheme for the process is categorised into

three main steps:
• Identification of areas
• Data Collection
• Categorisation of areas

I. Identification of areas
Different categories of lands have been identified in the case
study of Bologna, Italy. The city has been assessed and
various kinds of spaces have been recognized where urban
horticulture and vegetative architecture can be implemented.
These spaces can vary from macro scale neighbourhood to
micro scale flowerbeds. Four types of spaces are considered
for implementing green practices.
FIGURE 1
LOCATION OF THE CASE STUDIES
(CITY CENTRE IDENTIFIED IN LIGHT BLUE). (1) FLOWERBEDS ALONG
STREETS AND SQUARES: (1A) “I COLORI DELL’ORTO”, PIAZZA DEI COLORI,
27; (1B) “GLI ORTI DELLA FORNACE”, VIA DELLA BEVERARA, 123; (1C)
“AIUOLA DONATA”, PIAZZA DI PORTA SAN DONATO, 1; (2) BALCONIES AND
ROOFTOPS: “GREENHOUSING”, VIA ANTONIO GANDUSIO, 12;
(3) ABANDONED BUILDINGS: “LÀBAS”, VIA ORFEO, 46; (4) ABANDONED
NEIGHBOURHOODS: “ORTOCIRCUITO”, VIA DEL BATTIRAME,
(Daniela Gasperi 1, et al., 2016)
II. Data Collection
For the purpose of assessing the case study of Bologna, data
has been collected from various sources. Moreover, various
stakeholders and their role have been identified.
FIGURE 2
VACANT AREAS EMPLOYING URBAN HORTICULTURE
(ACE) (htt) (htt1) (htt2) (htt3) (htt4) (htt5) (htt6) (FBG)
III. Categorisation of spaces
Coincidently, just as much as urban landforms have affected
the society, the society too has conversely affected urban
landforms. Various elements like management, urbanism,
society, education and culture have shaped the identity of the
city.
FIGURE 3
ASPECTS OF SOCIETY INFLUENCING URBAN LANDFORMS
(Daniela Gasperi 1, et al., 2016)
 LEARNING
Through this case study various inferences are made. In this
city urban regeneration and rejuvenation is carried out within
a viable economic and legislative framework. Moreover,
these tools have been used physically and culturally to
regenerate urban spaces and derelict sites. Various areas have
been identified and are converted into urban gardens.
Adoptions of these practices have resulted in better economy
of the city. Moreover, this has also resulted in environmental
remediation which has reduced the health issues.
CASE STUDY: INDIA
I. Green terraces in Kerela
Agricultural practices in Kerela were impeded due to water
logging conditions of land. Thus, the horticulture department
of Kerela proposed the practices of vegetative architecture for
practicing for the area. A training programme was conducted
for the farmers of Kerela. Techniques of rooftop gardening
were introduced which also includes growing vegetables on
poles and sticks too. Two Framer interest groups of 25
members each are registered under Vegetable and Food
Promotion Council of Kerela. This VFPCK has exposed them
to market which enables them to sell their produce at a good
price. (Agarwal & Sinha, 2017) Moreover, this practice has
also flourished the food production in Kerela.
II. Kolkata: From dumping grounds to farms
Kolkata in India has converted its biggest dumping ground
into farming land. Municipal corporation leases about 800
hectares of dumping site for agricultural purpose. (Agarwal &
Sinha, 2017) Inorganic waste from the site was removed by
informal recycling industry and the rich organic compost was
used for intensive farming. It has been estimated that around
150 to 300 tonnes of vegetables are produced per day.
Moreover, this intensive farming generates 20000
employment opportunities. (Agarwal & Sinha, 2017) Farmers
provide their own night duty to the site and also perform
traditional farming practices on land. These activities produce
safe food and are sustainable in nature.
CHALLENGES TO THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW
PRACTICE
In the case study of Bologna, the consciousness of people
realised the seriousness of the issue of land degradation a lot
earlier. Hence, the damage caused then was much easier to
remediate than it is in India at this critical time. Moreover, the
implementation through laws and awareness, maintenance
and management of a new practice in Italy was easier than in
India due to its smaller average population density. Also, the
huge public participation in the form of communities which
looked after the green spaces, aided their situation and helped
in the successful implementation of the practices introduced.
Whenever a change in the mundane life is brought up,
there are reactions to these changes. Reactions may be
concerning economic, social and environmental factors.
I. Economic factors
Bologna, being a part of a developed country, is substantiated
with ample amount of funds. Whereas, India being a
developing country, has its funds directed in the direction of
removing poverty or in coping with the technological
advancements of the world. Thus, the provision of funds for
the green practices might pose a difficulty in the initial stage.
Moreover, the land available has higher probability of
being approved for a housing or a commercial complex
project than being approved for urban horticulture. Also, the
practice of vegetative architecture cannot be cultured on the
old dilapidated structures which cover most parts of
metropolitans till now, like the structures which traverse the
Chandni Chowk Area of Old Delhi.
II. Social factors
The introduction of new practice divides the opinion of people
into those of mutual agreement, conflict or indifference. The
success of these green initiatives depends on the degree of
public participation. These practices can be beneficial only if
the people contribute their services and help in the initiation
of these practices by putting pressure on the authorities to
provide the necessary permissions. The participation of the
community as a whole in maintaining the gardens and the
cultured lands would eventually ease the load of maintaining
these green spaces on the government.
But this practice might face a problem in the
implementation stage as a result of resistance by people on the
grounds of development of those lands which were to
eventually develop into houses. The resentment is most
probable from the associations of builders, industrialists and
the slum dwellers who lived on these lands. Also, due to lack
of awareness about the current situation, the general public
might resent the flow of funds to another insignificant practice
(as it is in their perspective). These funds were meant for
technological advancements and development of the
infrastructure and not for incorporating green culture in their
lifestyles.
III. Environmental factors
When the cultivable agricultural lands are left barren for a
significant amount of time, erosion of the top fertile layer
takes place. This eventually leads to the loss of nutrients in
the soil and degraded soil productivity. Moreover, the land on
which industries were established is contaminated with
harmful chemicals and the soil neutrality is disturbed. The
cultivation of fruit crops or food crops for urban horticulture
cannot be done in these areas. Therefore, the replenishment of
nutrients and treatment of chemicals in this soil is necessary
before cultivation of crops.
 PROPOSALS
Various proposals are made in order to introduce these
practices of urban horticulture and vegetative architecture to
India. For this purpose, possible solution to the challenges are
provided. Countering these challenges will ultimately result
in execution of these practices in India.
I. Soil improvement
In order to improve soil quality to perform urban horticulture
numerous practices can be performed from micro level i.e.
Individual backyards to macro level i.e. large abandoned sites.
At macro level crop rotation technique and practices like
conservation agriculture technique can be adopted. This
practice does not promote ploughing as this will result in soil
disturbance. (European Comission, 2015). Moreover, these
practices maintain the soil cover by the help of cover crops
and organic matter. (European Comission, 2015)At individual
level backyard composting can be performed. Food leftovers
and yard debris can be transformed into a valuable product for
soil replenishment. Moreover, to reduce soil contamination
various methods can be adopted. Soil washing techniques can
be implemented on the contaminated soil for its remediation.
These techniques include bioremediation, air sparging, and
encapsulation. (2014)
Bioremediation involves mixing of soil with organic
matter which will stimulate the growth of bacteria into the
soil. The bacteria will break down all contaminants in the
form of hydrocarbons into simpler compounds. Hence, they
will reduce soil contamination. The biggest advantage of this
practice is that once all contamination from the soil is
removed the bacterium dies off.
Another practice to remove soil contamination is air
sparging where air is pushed into the soil to bring out organic
vapour. Once this vapour came out at the upper strata of the
soil is treated by carbon filtering.
Encapsulation is another method to bring out soil
rejuvenation. The approach of this method is different from
others. This technique does not focus on removing
contaminants rather it focuses more on preventing further
contamination. In this method soil is mixed with lime, cement
and also concrete to stop the growing diffusion of
contaminants. (2014)
II. Public participation
Moreover, for proper maintenance and growth of urban
horticulture and vegetative architecture community
participation is required. Critical urban gardening can
demonstrate the use of different abandoned areas for food
production. Critical urban gardening also known as political
or radical gardening can empower citizens to reclaim their
open spaces for public use and practice local food production
techniques. (Certoma, 2015) A number of awareness
programmes can be conducted to encourage and inspire
citizens. These programmes will demonstrate people the
benefits of generating green spaces. Thereby, it would
generate consciousness in people and make them to hold on
the responsibility for managing the urban green spaces. This
can be done by uprooting the unsustainable living patterns and
replacing them with sustainable living techniques.
III. Economic factors
For the implementation and further maintenance of these
services proper funding is required. This support can help in
revitalisation of green spaces and public parks. The local
bodies of the area along with the support of public and private
sector can help in rejuvenation of the spaces. Moreover,
voluntary action of people can alleviate the prevailing
mutilation. There is a need of providing innovative practices
which could make better use of money and allow increased
development.
A local authority can be employed for the purpose of
collecting revenue and funds from public sector and private
sector of the area. Moreover, this local body will also manage
the funds collected from government agencies. This will
ensure long term serviceability and proper utilization of funds
for the maintenance of green space in the cities. (PwCLLP;
CABE Space and Groundwork, 2006)
The adoption of these practices will ultimately result in
emergence of now income opportunities. Local body
development in the city for the purpose of maintenance of
green practices will give rise to new income prospects.
Moreover, these practices will attract new business agencies
for investment in the city. In this way these practices will
generate economy of the place. This increased economy of the
city in turn has balanced the cost of initial investment for
adoption of green practices. (PwCLLP; CABE Space and
Groundwork, 2006)
OUTCOMES OF THE PRACTICES
The implementation of vegetative architecture in densely
populated areas helped in rejuvenating the air quality of
these areas by absorbing particulate matter in air. The
introduction of green spaces to these areas relived the land
use of the heavy construction activity. Moreover, due to
increased soil cover on land, infiltration of rainwater
increased, thus rejuvenating the ground water level by
decreasing the concentration of contaminants. The
conversion of derelict sites to urban spaces prevented soil
erosion, improved soil permeability, soil quality and
increased food security. Thus, the adoption of urban
horticulture and vegetative architecture lead to an increase in
green cover over the carbon grey footprint. This would
eventually lead to remediation and rejuvenation of the
degraded land.
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