The Impact of Green Roofs on the Parameters of the Environment in Urban Areas—Review

Abstract

This study presents the results of a review of publications conducted by researchers in a variety of climates on the implementation of ‘green roofs’ and their impact on the urban environment. Features of green roofs in urban areas have been characterized by a particular emphasis on: Filtration of air pollutants and oxygen production, reduction of rainwater volume discharged from roof surfaces, reduction of so-called ‘urban heat islands’, as well as improvements to roof surface insulation (including noise reduction properties). The review of the publications confirmed the necessity to conduct research to determine the coefficients of the impact of green roofs on the environment in the city centers of Central and Eastern Europe. The results presented by different authors (most often based on a single case study) differ significantly from each other, which does not allow us to choose universal coefficients for all the parameters of the green roof’s impact on the environment. The work also includes analysis of structural recommendations for the future model green roof study, which will enable pilot research into the influence of green roofs on the environment in urban agglomerations and proposes different kinds of plants for different kinds of roofs, respectively.

Assessment of temporal shifting of PM2.5, lockdown effect, and influences of seasonal meteorological factors over the fastest-growing megacity, Dhaka

“…Some residential and commercial cooking activities are still using solid fuels which creates health hazards similar to PM 2.5 . Green Roof Technologies can reduce the risk of PM 2.5 in a significant way [ 37 ] and are highly suitable and sustainable with respect to the economic, socio-economic and housing properties of Dhaka city.…”

The green roofs for reduction in the load on rainwater drainage in highly urbanised areas

“…A drainage layer for each model was made: for model 1, in the form of drainage pipe, and for model 2, in the form of a 2-cm layer of gravel fraction of 1–1.5 cm (allowing excess rainwater to go to the vertical discharge pipe) (Suszanowicz 2018 ). For the extensive model, a layer of soil of 15 cm was used, and a layer of 35 cm was used for the intensive roof (Suszanowicz and Kolasa-Więcek 2019 ). In both cases, the soil mixtures were prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the German Landscape Research, Development, and Construction Society (Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau—FLL) (Lösken et al 2018 ; Kaiser et al 2019 ) and DAFA (Association of Flat Rooftops and Façade Contractors) (Lundholm 2015 ).…”

Greening of roofs as an adaptive measure for climate change

“…• structural-planning functions (possibility of more optimal use of densely built spaces). 8 Ambient air temperature during summer months decreased around buildings with an extensive green roof with an organic based substrate 10-15 cm depths (Sedum plants). 3 Onmura et al (2001) found a 4-5 C reduction in temperature resulting directly from the green roof vegetation, and Lundholm et al (2010) found that green roofs cooled the surface 3 C over vegetation-free substrate only controls, as well as more than 16 C over asphalt roof surfaces.…”