Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular among researchers, engineers and related construction stakeholders to mitigate food crisis, Urban heat island effect, rainfall scarcity and enhancement of thermal comfort in urban ecosystems. Substrate is the most important component of a green roof. Our research team has carried out an extended systematic review regarding all the types of green roof research in the past 50 years and published a research article in Frontiers in Built Environment:
Article Green roof substrates—A literature review
In your perspective, apart from the fields mentioned in our research article (link given above),
What are the scopes available within green roof substrates-related research for future studies? Are there any justifications for the choice?
Scopes available within green roof substrates-related research for future studies include:
1. Investigating the effects of green roofs on urban heat islands.
2. Examining the suitability of various substrate materials for green roofs in different climates.
3. Examining the effectiveness of green roofs in improving air quality.
4. Investigating the impact of green roofs on energy efficiency.
5. Evaluating the feasibility of various green roof designs.
6. Examining the potential of green roofs in stormwater management.
7. Investigating the potential of green roofs in improving biodiversity.
8. Exploring the potential of green roofs in urban agriculture.
Justification for these choices is that these topics are relevant to the current understanding of green roofs and represent potential areas of future research which could significantly contribute to the sustainability of our built environment.
1. Evaluation of the effects of green roof substrates on rooftop hydrology and water quality: Future research should investigate how green roof substrates affect rooftop hydrology and water quality on a larger scale. Such studies should consider the effects of different green roof substrates on rainfall-runoff, evapotranspiration, and water infiltration.
2. Assessment of different green roof substrates’ effects on local temperature, air quality, and energy efficiency:
Future studies should investigate how different green roof substrates affect local air temperature, air quality, and energy efficiency. This research should consider the effects of substrate design, components, and properties on these factors. 3. Investigation of green roof substrates’ effects on plant growth and development: Future studies should investigate the effects of different green roof substrates on plant growth and development. Such studies should consider the effects of substrate design, components, and properties on plant growth and development.
These research topics are important because they will help to identify the most effective green roof substrates and understand how they can best be used to improve rooftop hydrology, air quality, energy efficiency, and plant growth. Such research is essential for green roof technology to be used to its fullest potential.
The best green roofs would be the addition of solar water heaters, solar panels and water catchment systems, because each of those would shade the roofs to keep the building cooler in summer. And solar panels would generate electricity, so we could go from Carbon Neutral to Carbon Negative in the future.
1. Investigating the physical and mechanical properties of green roof substrates: Future studies could focus on evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of different green roof substrates, such as their water retention capacity, compaction, and permeability. This would provide a better understanding of the impact of different substrates on the long-term performance of green roofs.
2. Evaluating the effects of green roof substrates on plant growth: Research could be done to assess how different substrates affect plant growth and health on green roofs. This could include looking at the effects of nutrient availability, water retention, and the physical composition of the substrate on plant growth.
3. Assessing the cost and sustainability of different green roof substrates: Future studies could focus on assessing the cost and sustainability of various green roof substrates. This could include looking at the energy and resources required to produce and transport different substrates, as well as their environmental impacts.
4. Exploring the potential for green roof substrates to improve water quality: Research could be conducted to examine how different substrates can be used to improve water quality. This could include looking at the ability of different substrates to filter pollutants from runoff, as well as their ability to store and release water in a controlled manner. These scopes of research are justified by the need to better understand the effects of different green roof substrates on the performance and sustainability of green roofs. Such studies could provide valuable insights into the use of green roofs as a tool for improving the environment, as well as helping to make green roofs more cost-effective and sustainable.
Interesting take on green roofs. I always went with whatever the landscape designer said. The only thing I would highlight is the need of a fabric layer to protect insulations from weed/roots. I have seen many failed green roofs (leakage, mold, structural damage) just because someone left out the protective layer.
Dear Eszter Gulacsi Peter Donkor Craig Carlton Dremann J. C. Tarafdar
I am sharing with you my recently published article regarding the green roof substrates.
This research was our experimental study based on the availability of scopes on green roof substrates, in Sri Lanka.
Please have a read and provide your recommendation for our research article, to facilitate your followers to read and cite this research article. Thank you.
Link: Article Feasibility study for estimating optimal substrate parameter...
Eszter Gulacsi Peter Donkor Craig Carlton Dremann J. C. Tarafdar
I hope that you would find interesting regarding our newly published research article. Please have a read and provide your recommendations:
Article Feasibility study for estimating optimal substrate parameter...
Green roofs reduce building energy use by cooling roofs and providing shading, thermal mass and insulation. Biodiversity and Habitat: Green roofs provide new urban habitat for plants and animals, like birds and insects, thereby increasing biodiversity. Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by: Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources. Green roofs are used in residential, commercial, government and public buildings. Innovative energy-efficient construction technologies will bring great benefit to the ecology and help to relief the heat island effect. To achieve our sustainability goals, need to invest in disruptive practices and green technologies to optimize water consumption, improve air quality, ensure energy security, biodiversity and reduce carbon footprint. Green roofs have been shown to increase biodiversity. The type and amount of biodiversity will depend on the type of green roof installed. Green roofs are eco-friendly and a great way to promote environmental sustainability. Compared to other roof types, green roofs have numerous benefits, including reduced energy costs. By lowering temperatures and reducing energy use, green roofs can help reduce concentrations of several pollutants that affect air quality, climate, and health. Green roofs reduce energy consumption in space heating through shading, evapotranspiration, insulation, increase in thermal mass, and reduction of heat loss through radiation.
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