Greening: Designing Sustainable Urban Greenhouses in Ottawa

Canadians are familiar with the positive feelings of being surrounded by greenery. As the population rises in urban areas, infrastructure and building density are altering the landscape. In comparison to past generations, fewer people are living on farms and growing their own food. This shift has changed the relationship between people and the natural environment. In winter, there is an even greater disconnect as people spend less time outdoors. Greenhouses and conservatories provide a controlled dwelling environment where it is possible for people to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants indoors throughout the year. The urban greenhouse is a sustainable alternative to crop farming and gardening. In this thesis, a conceptual green network will be developed for the City of Ottawa, including the design of a greenhouse at Lincoln Fields.