Sustainable Urban Agriculture Solutions
UrbNrootZ has a unique history and experience working with many architects, general contractors, and interior designers on various biophilic design projects, including 'green walls' in Southern California. The owner is a leading expert and technician who can not only service but also repair many existing commercial systems with little to no technical manufacturer support, such as the NAAVA™ Walls, GrowUp™, and Zipgrow™. Additionally, we can assist with navigating and implementing sustainable practices that comply with: - Local Ordinances like San Diego’s Chapter 15: Planned Districts - Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ) - LEED, WELL & ESG UrbNrootZ can also come to your location to educate your staff and others on the latest trends and directions of modern urban agriculture. With over three decades of experience in restaurants and hospitality, we can assist in implementing a switch to a sustainable, local urban micro farm. This approach is not only cost-effective but also seamless, enhancing guest satisfaction by providing the best and freshest herbs and vegetables, harvested early in the morning and served for lunch or dinner DAILY. Ownership, leasing, and on & off-site service options are available, making same-day farm-to-table possible for you in Southern California!
LEED - WELL - ESG
How we can help
By integrating locally grown, organic produce and green infrastructure into building projects, our products and urban micro farms promote sustainability, improve indoor environmental quality, and enhance community wellbeing through sustainable practices.
Contributing to LEED Goals
Sustainable Site Development: Urban micro farms provide on-site food production, reducing transportation emissions and supporting LEED credits for site sustainability.
Water Efficiency: Hydroponic and aquaponic systems use significantly less water than traditional farming, earning points for water conservation.
Energy and Atmosphere: Combining solar power with efficient irrigation, these farms lower energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Fresh, organic greens and herbs improve indoor air quality and occupant health, contributing to LEED credits.
Supporting ESG Objectives
Environmental Impact: Urban micro farms reduce supply chain emissions, enhance biodiversity, and promote circular water use.
Social Responsibility: Providing educational opportunities, green spaces, and fresh food fosters community engagement and social equity.
Governance: Demonstrating environmental stewardship and innovative leadership aligns with ESG best practices.
Enhancing WELL Building Standards
Air Quality: Plants naturally filter airborne pollutants, improving indoor air quality.
Biophilic Design: Incorporating green elements, such as urban micro farms, supports occupant mental health and wellbeing.
Fresh Food Access: On-site food cultivation encourages healthy eating habits and nutritional wellbeing.
Partnering with a specialized micro farm provider enables building projects to deliver healthier, greener spaces that meet top sustainability and wellbeing standards, reinforcing your commitment to environmental responsibility and occupant health.
San Diego Municipal Code Compliance
Innovative Solutions from UrbNrootZ
UrbNrootZ is dedicated to providing knowledge and assistance to professional firms as they navigate the ever-changing municipal code changes that can impact their projects and clients. This commitment includes educating your staff on sustainable practices, such as the recent San Diego Chapter 15 Division 6 ordinance which mandates new landscaping requirements for commercial parking structures. What is this new ordinance?
The San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 15, Division 6, concerning new plants and landscaping requirements for commercial above-ground parking structures, mandates that all edges of parking areas, including above-ground structures, must have a 5-foot-wide landscaping buffer. This buffer must be planted with trees (minimum height of 8 feet at installation) and shrubs to create a visually appealing and environmentally friendly perimeter that supports biophilic design. The code requires wheel stops to be placed 2 feet away from this landscaped buffer to protect the plantings.
Additionally, parking lots with more than two rows of parking must include 5-foot-wide landscaped islands between rows, planted with low-water-use, canopied trees. A minimum of one tree of a 24-inch box or 15-gallon size (at least 8 feet tall at installation) is required per 2,000 square feet of parking lot area. In areas where a landscaped island is not feasible, patterned paving and crated trees serve as an alternative, which aligns with the principles of an urban micro farm.
Landscaping plans must be submitted for approval prior to building permits and installation, and all landscaping materials are required to be permanently maintained in a healthy condition with an appropriate irrigation system.