scholarly journals A review of green roof incentives as motivators for the expansion of green infrastructure in European cities

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Burszta-Adamiak ◽  
Wiesław Fiałkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
European Cities

Nowadays green roofs play a key role in alleviating the negative effects of urbanization. Despite investors awareness of the advantages of green roofs, there are still some barriers that hinder investments on a large scale. As a result a financial and non-financial incentives are implemented. The review presented in this paper allowed to identify the most popular initiatives and to formulate recommendations for creating incentive supporting implementation of green roofs in urban areas.

scholarly journals Evapotranspiration Measurements and Assessment of Driving Factors: A Comparison of Different Green Roof Systems during Summer in Germany

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1334
Author(s):  
Dominik Gößner ◽  
Milena Mohri ◽  
Justine Jasmin Krespach
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Partial Least Square Regression ◽  
Roof System

Green roofs have proven to be a space-saving solution to mitigate peak temperatures and control floods in urban areas through evaporative cooling and storm water retention. To encourage a sustainable city design with large-scale green infrastructure networks, a better differentiation between the diverse existing green roof systems is needed. The aim of this study is to demonstrate differences among green roof systems based on comprehensive microclimatic measurements on four small experimental roofs and to assess differences in evapotranspiration with a partial least square regression. The results show that short-wave solar radiation, relative humidity and water availability are the most important drivers of evapotranspiration. The roof system with permanent water storage maintained significantly higher substrate moisture compared to the other roofs and produced peak evapotranspiration rates of 4.88 mm d−1. The highest total evapo-transpiration of 526 mm from April to September was recorded for the roof system with the thickest substrate layer and grass vegetation. In summer, the shallowest roof showed the highest substrate temperature and air temperature at vegetation level. These findings highlight the importance of specifying the characteristics of the various green roofs in order to turn them into useful planning tools for the design of climate-change-resilient cities.

scholarly journals Life cycle benefits and challenges of large – scale green roof implementation in a mediterranean compact city: the case of Thessaloniki

2021 ◽  
Vol 899 (1) ◽  
pp. 012010
Author(s):  
E Koroxenidis ◽  
T Theodosiou
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Waste Production

Abstract Green roof installation is considered to be an effective practice in restoring green spaces to high – density urban areas, in an effort to mitigate environmental problems that arise from their growing expansion. The present study attempts to further investigate this claim by assessing the environmental and economic life cycle benefits and challenges of two extensive green roof large – scale implementation scenarios (on existing or on well – insulated roofs) in the compact mediterranean city of Thessaloniki, Greece. In both scenarios green roofs provided energy savings (13-19%), greenhouse gas emissions (22-29%) and waste production (57-60%) reductions but also led to a significant increase in water consumption (279-291%), with performance being better in the latter case. They also accrued significant public economic benefits in both a low and high discount rate scenario, although they were not an efficient choice for private owners in the second one. These results seem to imply that green roofs could potentially be a viable urban green infrastructure solution, if their water use is minimized in a sustainable way and additional state incentives are considered.

scholarly journals Surface temperature analysis of conventional roof and different use forms of the green roof

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-640
Author(s):  
Anna Baryła ◽  
Agnieszka Bus ◽  
Agnieszka Karczmarczyk ◽  
Joanna Witkowska-Dobrev
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Urban Heat ◽  
Thermal Imaging System

Increasing urban populations raises a number of problems and risks that are strengthened by observed and projected climate change. An increase in green areas (so-called green infrastructure) has turned out to be an effective means of lowering temperature in the city. Green roofs can be one of the possible measures leading to achieving this aim. The aim of the study was the analysis of temperature changes of different roof surfaces (conventional roof, board, intensive roof substrate without plant cover, substrate covered with plants (shrubs). Studies on comparing the temperature between a conventional roof and green roofs were carried out in the period from April to September 2015 on the roof of the building of the Faculty of Modern Languages, University of Warsaw. The measurement was performed using the FLIR SC620 thermal imaging system. As a result of the tests, it was found that in the summer months the differences between the temperature of the green roof and the conventional roof amounted to a maximum of 31.3°C. The obtained results showed that the roof with vegetation can signifi cantly contribute to the mitigation of the urban heat island phenomenon in urban areas during summer periods.

scholarly journals Green Roofing in Indiana: Case Studies and Design Notes

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Altor
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
The State ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Roof Design

Green roof technology and implementation are taking root in North America at an accelerating pace. Growing recognition of the benefits of green roofs and increasing interest in green infrastructure are leading to expansion of green roof technologies that have been in use for decades in Europe and elsewhere. While some regions have adopted the use of green roofs on a large scale, other areas are warming up to the concept more slowly. Large-scale implementation of green roofs has not yet occurred in Indiana, but a number of exemplary projects have been constructed, and there are signs that interest in the technology is increasing in the state. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of green roof technology, analyze selected green roofs in Indiana, explore trends in the state, and address issues for future development of green roof technology in the region. A variety of green roofs were investigated throughout the state. Discussions were held with individuals involved in each project to obtain technical and logistical details of green roof design, installation, and performance.

scholarly journals Initial insights on the biodiversity potential of biosolar roofs: a London Olympic Park green roof case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Nash ◽  
J. Clough ◽  
D. Gedge ◽  
R. Lindsay ◽  
D. Newport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
The Face ◽  
Roof Design ◽  
Sustainable Futures

Cities dominated by impervious artificial surfaces can experience a multitude of negative environmental impacts. Restoration of green infrastructure has been identified as a mechanism for increasing urban resilience, enabling cities to transition towards sustainable futures in the face of climate-driven change. Building rooftops represent a viable space for integrating new green infrastructure into high-density urban areas. Urban rooftops also provide prime locations for photovoltaic (PV) systems. There is an increasing recognition that these two technologies can be combined to deliver reciprocal benefits in terms of energy efficiency and biodiversity targets. Scarcity of scientific evaluation of the interaction between PVs and green roofs means that the potential benefits are currently poorly understood. This study documents evidence from a biodiversity monitoring study of a substantial biosolar roof installed in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Vegetation and invertebrate communities were sampled and habitat structure measured in relation to habitat niches on the roof, including PV panels. Ninety-two plant species were recorded on the roof and variation in vegetation structure associated with proximity to PV panels was identified. Almost 50% of target invertebrate species collected were designated of conservation importance. Arthropod distribution varied in relation to habitat niches on the roof. The overall aim of the Main Press Centre building green roof design was to create a mosaic of habitats to enhance biodiversity, and the results of the study suggest that PV panels can contribute to niche diversity on a green roof. Further detailed study is required to fully characterise the effects of PV panel density on biodiversity.

scholarly journals Influence of environmental factors on retention of extensive green roofs with different substrate composition

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 00026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Baryła ◽  
Agnieszka Karczmarczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Bus ◽  
Edyta Hewelke
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Statistical Regression ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Organic Mineral ◽  
Local Ecosystem

Increasing recognition is being given to the adaption of green roofs in urban areas to enhance the local ecosystem. Green roofs may bring several benefits to urban areas including flood mitigation Analysis of environmental factors affecting the outflow of green roofs is the subject of many studies. The work assessed how environmental factors moisture of structural layers and antecedent dry weather period influence the retention on two types of green roof substrates. The monitoring of environmental factors and amount of runoff was carried out on two models of green roofs covered by extensive vegetation (mosssedum-herbs) with substrates of an organic-mineral and mineral composition for 8 months. A statistical regression approach identified potential antecedent meteorological factors and moisture indicators of extensive green-roof retention. Continuous field monitoring data revealed the combined effects of rainfall depth and antecedent dry weather period to explain the measured stormwater retention under a moderate climate conditions regime. It is important to incorporate site-specific planning and assessment prior to green infrastructure design.

scholarly journals Addressing the Water–Energy–Food Nexus through Enhanced Green Roof Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1972
Author(s):  
Jeremy Wright ◽  
Jeremy Lytle ◽  
Devon Santillo ◽  
Luzalen Marcos ◽  
Kristiina Valter Mai
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Stormwater Management ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Rainwater Runoff ◽  
Rain Events

Urban densification and climate change are creating a multitude of issues for cities around the globe. Contributing factors include increased impervious surfaces that result in poor stormwater management, rising urban temperatures, poor air quality, and a lack of available green space. In the context of volatile weather, there are growing concerns regarding the effects of increased intense rainfalls and how they affect highly populated areas. Green roofs are becoming a stormwater management tool, occupying a growing area of urban roof space in many developed cities. In addition to the water-centric approach to the implementation of green roofs, these systems offer a multitude of benefits across the urban water–energy–food nexus. This paper provides insight to green roof systems available that can be utilized as tools to mitigate the effects of climate change in urbanized areas. A new array of green roof testing modules is presented along with research methods employed to address current issues related to food, energy and water performance optimization. Rainwater runoff after three rain events was observed to be reduced commensurate with the presence of a blue roof retention membrane in the testbed, the growing media depth and type, as well as the productive nature of the plants in the testbed. Preliminary observations indicate that more productive green roof systems may have increasingly positive benefits across the water–energy–food nexus in dense urban areas that are vulnerable to climate disruption.

scholarly journals Evaporation from (Blue-)Green Roofs: Assessing the Benefits of a Storage and Capillary Irrigation System Based on Measurements and Modeling

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Cirkel ◽  
Bernard Voortman ◽  
Thijs van Veen ◽  
Ruud Bartholomeus
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Evaporation Rate ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
C3 Plants ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Air Temperatures

Worldwide cities are facing increasing temperatures due to climate change and increasing urban density. Green roofs are promoted as a climate adaptation measure to lower air temperatures and improve comfort in urban areas, especially during intensive dry and warm spells. However, there is much debate on the effectiveness of this measure, because of a lack of fundamental knowledge about evaporation from different green roof systems. In this study, we investigate the water and energy balance of different roof types on a rooftop in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Based on lysimeter measurements and modeling, we compared the water and energy balance of a conventional green roof with blue-green roofs equipped with a novel storage and capillary irrigation system. The roofs were covered either with Sedum or by grasses and herbs. Our measurements and modeling showed that conventional green roof systems (i.e., a Sedum cover and a few centimeters of substrate) have a low evaporation rate and due to a rapid decline in available moisture, a minor cooling effect. Roofs equipped with a storage and capillary irrigation system showed a remarkably large evaporation rate for Sedum species behaving as C3 plants during hot, dry periods. Covered with grasses and herbs, the evaporation rate was even larger. Precipitation storage and capillary irrigation strongly reduced the number of days with dry-out events. Implementing these systems therefore could lead to better cooling efficiencies in cities.

scholarly journals Vegetation Cover Drives Arthropod Communities in Mediterranean/Subtropical Green Roof Habitats

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Salman ◽  
Leon Blaustein
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Habitat Template ◽  
Arthropod Abundance

Worldwide, urban areas are expanding both in size and number, which results in a decline in habitats suitable for urban flora and fauna. The construction of urban green features, such as green roofs, may provide suitable habitat patches for many species in urban areas. On green roofs, two approaches have been used to select plants—i.e., matching similar habitat to green roofs (habitat template approach) or identifying plants with suitable traits (plant trait approach). While both approaches may result in suitable habitats for arthropods, how arthropods respond to different combinations of plants is an open question. The aim of this study was to investigate how the structural complexity of different plant forms can affect the abundance and richness of arthropods on green roofs. The experimental design crossed the presence and absence of annuals with three Sedum sediforme (Jacq.) Pau (common name: stonecrops) treatments—i.e., uniformly disrupted Sedum, clumped disrupted Sedum, and no Sedum. We hypothesized that an increased structural diversity due to the coexistence of different life forms of plants on roofs is positively related to the abundance and richness of arthropods. We found that arthropod abundance and richness were positively associated with the percent of vegetation cover and negatively associated with substrate temperature. Neither arthropod abundance nor richness was influenced by the relative moisture of substrate. We also found that arthropod abundance and richness varied by green roof setups (treatments) and by seasonality. Arthropod abundance on green roofs was the highest in treatments with annuals only, while species richness was slightly similar between treatments containing annuals but varied between sampling periods. This study suggests that adding annuals to traditional Sedum roofs has positive effects on arthropods. This finding can support the development of biodiverse cities because most extensive green roofs are inaccessible to the public and can provide undisturbed habitat for several plant and arthropod species.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF GREEN ROOF ON HEATING AND COOLING IN CONTEXT OF DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ZONES IN INDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 436-440
Author(s):  
Ar. Ankur Bhardwaj ◽  
Dr. Shweta Chaudhary ◽  
Ar.Kirti Varandani
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Sustainable Living ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
The World ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Rainwater Runoff

The ecological, social and visual commitments that green roofs can make towards sustainable living in more intensified urban centres are generally recognized around the world. Green roof is one such sustainable methodology, utilization of which causes us in insulating the buildings and, subsequently contributing to better energy proficient execution of the same. Green roofs additionally give environment to various species, lessen the rainwater runoff and better deal with the carbon-dioxide cycle. In spite of these advantages, Green roofs are not as basic an element in India as they are in other European and American urban areas. In this paper an attempt has been made to enhance the advantages of this innovation in India. Green roofs systems looks simple in terms of setting up, but actually very complex in maintaining and achieving sustainability. In depth study of green roofs, historic background, climatic zones, impacts of green roofs on heating and cooling, benefits, problems and opportunities is done with the help of data taken from secondary sources like books, magazines and published literature (articles, journals, conference proceedings) form various e-libraries and other online platforms. KEY WORDS: Heating, Cooling, Green Roof, Sustainability)

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