Green roofs – modern solutions for greening buildings

Abstract

In a society intensively urbanized, nature and green spaces have an extremely important and determined role. Solutions that are integrating different modern techniques related to a new or an existing building, with a tremendously positive effect over the natural building and horticultural sectors will represent an important factor in reducing the negative effect over the environment on a global scale. These smart solutions could extend the garden effect from the ground to the elevated levels of the building. Even if at the present moment there are different classic solutions to realize a green roof, in the last decades, have been developed different new and modern techniques for the greening environment. Taking into account all the above mentioned, the aim of the paper is to present the modern green roof systems considering all the changes that have occurred over time, and also to analyze a series of examples of how this concept has been adopted in different parts of the world and for varies structural systems. The authors consider that the study is very important in order to completely understand the characteristics of these systems and their main components, in order to properly design and implement them according to the present environmental needs. It is believed that the knowledge of this concept and its evolution and tendencies will help solve a series of ecological and social problems.