Selection of (Green) Roof Systems: A Sustainability-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis

Abstract

A wide diffusion of green envelopes in cities can be an opportunity to improve urban environment conditions and reduce negative effects of climate change. The green roof system is a widespread solution adopted all over the world due to the relative simplicity of installation and the large private and social benefits provided. Despite this, some factors hinder the diffusion of the green roof system, not only economic factors (due to the higher installation costs compare to a traditional roof solution), but also technical factors connected to lack of knowledge. The present paper investigates the factors influencing designers in the choice of a building roof systems, comparing a traditional solution and a greening system. The involvement of architects, engineers, and researchers allows the selection of the most important factors. Results of the study identifies their priority, and through a sustainability-based multicriteria analysis, the role played by each one in the decision process. This approach provides interesting hints to identify effective strategies to support a wider diffusion of greening systems for urban resilience.

Evidence of the Climate Mitigation Effect of Green Roofs—A 20-Year Weather Study on an Extensive Green Roof (EGR) in Northeast Germany

“…This article describes the effects of typical EGRs on climate mitigation. The active influence that can be made by watering is discussed later, whilst enhancing the evapotranspiration follows and can be found in the next article of this journal [23].…”

Comparison of blue-green solutions for urban flood mitigation: A multi-city large-scale analysis

“…GR installation cost per unit area depends on the typology: extensive configurations, which are characterized by a thin soil layer and higher flexibility, are less expensive than intensive solutions, which, on the other hand, guarantee a higher retention capacity [ 12 , 48 – 50 ]. RWH system efficiency depends on the volume of installed tanks, chosen to be capable of collecting the water that falls over each roof during the extreme rainfall event.…”

“…GRs are sustainable tools [ 12 ] that enable a portion of the rainfall volume to be stored in the soil layer, which is later absorbed by the vegetation roots and returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration [ 13 – 17 ]. The retained rainfall volume depends on the dimension of the roof, on the soil type and thickness, and on vegetation species.…”

An Intuitionistic Fuzzy-based MCDM Approach For Location Selection Of Pilot Area For Green Roof Systems In Igdir Province, Turkey

“…Maintenance and disposal cost (C2) covers pruning, fertilizing, and repairing or replacing any elements belongs to the green roof. This cost is related to all cost within the life span of a green roof system where roof longevity is found as 40-45 years although in the conventional roof, it is about 20 years (Rosasco and Perini, 2019).…”

“…Aesthetics for green roofs can be divided into two groups; building aesthetic and urban aesthetic. In general, green roofs provide green spaces that have panoramic views of their surroundings and are cultivated (Rosasco and Perini, 2019).…”