Strengthening urban resilience in the United States: community preferences for green rooftops integrating agriculture and solar energy

Green rooftops (GRs) offer sustainable solutions to urban environmental challenges, yet public preferences and perceptions remain understudied. To address this gap, a choice-based survey engaging over 600 United States (US) residents from the state of Rhode Island (RI) examined the trade-offs and perceived value of GR space allocations for agriculture, renewable energy (solar), and recreational areas within intensive GR designs. Using latent class modelling to analyse these trade-offs, two distinct groups emerged. Class 1, representing 20% of respondents, notably differs from class 2 by being generally unsupportive of GR installation, and expressing disutility towards GR space allocation for solar energy. Both classes uniformly favour allocating GR space for agriculture production and have a positive willingness to pay for this feature. Interestingly, respondents in both classes trust Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) more than federal or state entities to guide GR-related policy decisions, highlighting the need for localized governance. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating agricultural production into GRs designs while addressing diverse preferences for solar allocation. Policymakers in RI should leverage the potential for GR to enhance urban resilience and meet public expectations by aligning their strategies with sustainability goals and local community priorities.Key Policy HighlightsRhode Island residents show strong support for green rooftops (GRs), especially those that prioritize agriculture over solar energy, with the highest willingness to pay observed for rooftop farming space.Public trust in NGOs to lead GR programmes surpasses trust in state or federal agencies, suggesting collaborative governance models may enhance public buy-in and programme success.Although most respondents support solar integration, 20% exhibit reluctance or require compensation, highlighting the need for hybrid designs and inclusive messaging.Community engagement – especially education and outreach – can improve acceptance among GR Skeptics and should be central to implementation strategies.Given RI's high farmland costs, rooftop agriculture offers a scalable solution for local food production and urban resilience, meriting targeted incentives for commercial and institutional property owners