Research On Green Roofs

On the green roof system.

Research on green roofs.

A considerable amount of research on the public and private benefits of green roof infrastructure in different climate zones different built environments and at different scales needs to be conducted in order to forge a new industry through the development of supportive public policy. Green roofs also known as vegetated roofs or living roofs are ballasted roofs consisting of a waterproofing membrane growing medium soil and vegetation plants overlying a traditional roof. Green roof research institutions are located in several cities as including hannover berlin geisenheim and neubrandenburg. The most comprehensive information available about green roofs was developed in germany by the landscape research development and construction society known by its german initials fll for forschungsgesellschaft landschaftsentwicklung landschaftsbau.

Green roofs as generators of health improvements for inhabitants specially kids and young people. Nasa conducted its first study in 2003 which showed that uhi effects could be mitigated by substantial green roof utilization. Research held in denmark included 1 million kids and young people proved the following. The results indicate that green roofs impact about 3 times positively in the environment compared to non green roofs.

Most of the emissions reductions were found to be in the range of 35 to 83. Nasa research has found that roofs covered with vegetation green roofs provide a cleaner environment and energy savings. Nasa s research reveals that roofs covered with vegetation provide a cleaner environment energy savings and increased insulation. Additionally utilization of green roofs can dramatically reduce the surface temperature of urban environments something critically important for elderly and other sensitive populations.

What sort of research is being done on green roofs. Center for green roof research the center the only location in north america with small test green roofs on replicated buildings characterizes and quantifies the performance of green roofs and promotes their discoveries through education and outreach. The lack of exposure to green space is the risk factor impacting the mental health of children and their emotional and cognitive abilities greenery in urban areas has decreased the risk of mental illness in adulthood from 15 to 55 and better mental development was noted among children with. Well designed engineered and maintained green roofs provide multiple environmental social economic and aesthetic benefits.

Courtesy of the city of chicago. Wildflowers on the green roof at chicago city hall.