Suchergebnisse

This book provides an up-to-date coverage of green (vegetated) roof research, design, and management from an ecosystem perspective. It reviews, explains, and poses questions about monitoring, substrate, living components and the abiotic, biotic and cultural aspects connecting green roofs to the fields of community, landscape and urban ecology. The work contains examples of green roof venues that demonstrate the focus, level of detail, and techniques needed to understand the structure, function, and impact of these novel ecosystems. Representing a seminal compilation of research and technical knowledge about green roof ecology and how functional attributes can be enhanced, it delves to explore the next wave of evolution in green technology and defines potential paths for technological advancement and research.

Green roofs are relatively new to Lithuania. Traditionally, such earth structures were used for partially submerged food cellars and bomb shelters. However, one sees more and more architects opting for green roofs as an alternative to large flat roofs. The advantages are many fold. A green roof is not only a pleasing aesthetic alternative, but it helps retain thermal energy and provides for better surface drainage for expansive roofed structures. This paper examines the origins, basic principles and benefits of green roofs, noting examples and a chart indicating various green roof systems. The international standard is largely set by the Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landshaftsbau e. V., or more simply FLL, first developed in Germany in the 1970s. I have designed five green roof projects in Lithuania. Two are located in Trakai, two in Vilnius, and one in the Ignalina region. Precedents are cited, along with photos, technical drawings, structural details, materials specifications and the ecological benefits these roofs provide in urban and rural environments. In conclusion, green roofs are a relative low cost alternative to flat roofs, which provide greatly enhanced benefits. As a result, European cities have set targets for the percentage of green roofs constructed each year, and the European Union has offered financial aid and assistance in meeting these targets. Hopefully, this will encourage more Lithuanian developers, architects, and engineers to consider green roofs as a viable solution.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.1.1.2612

In Bulgaria, public relations associated with spatial planning, investment design and construction are regu-lated by the Spatial Development Act (2001). According to article 62 (10) of this act, each Municipal Coun-cil adopts an Ordinance for the construction and protection of the green system on the territory of the municipality. There are 265 municipalities in Bulgaria and they are free to customise this ordinance as long as the goals and framework of the Spatial Development Act (2001) are maintained. The aim of this article is to review all Ordinances for the construction and protection of the green system available in Bulgaria and to analyse the included information and regulations regarding the construction of green roofs and green walls. The review of the ordinances showed that the construction of green roofs and green walls is not suf-ficiently addressed in the Bulgarian legislation at the municipal level. About 30.2% of the municipalities in the country do not have an Ordinance for development, maintenance and protection of the green system, 33.6% of the municipalities have such an ordinance but it does not mention green roofs and green walls and only 30.9% have an ordinance and it regulates the construction of green roofs and/or green walls.

In Bulgaria, public relations associated with spatial planning, investment design and construction are regu-lated by the Spatial Development Act (2001). According to article 62 (10) of this act, each Municipal Coun-cil adopts an Ordinance for the construction and protection of the green system on the territory of the municipality. There are 265 municipalities in Bulgaria and they are free to customise this ordinance as long as the goals and framework of the Spatial Development Act (2001) are maintained. The aim of this article is to review all Ordinances for the construction and protection of the green system available in Bulgaria and to analyse the included information and regulations regarding the construction of green roofs and green walls. The review of the ordinances showed that the construction of green roofs and green walls is not suf-ficiently addressed in the Bulgarian legislation at the municipal level. About 30.2% of the municipalities in the country do not have an Ordinance for development, maintenance and protection of the green system, 33.6% of the municipalities have such an ordinance but it does not mention green roofs and green walls and only 30.9% have an ordinance and it regulates the construction of green roofs and/or green walls.

Green roofs can provide several environmental benefits in urban cities and can also create habitat for living organisms thus help to enhance biodiversity. At present, many green building assessment methods have considered green roofs as a desirable sustainable design feature, however, the approach to assess the biodiversity aspect in these methods is not clear and effective. This research aims to investigate how green roofs can enhance biodiversity in an urban environment and to develop an effective system to assess the green roofs. Firstly, the basic concepts and significance of biodiversity conservation were studied. Secondly, the important factors and considerations for using biodiversity as a criterion for assessing green roofs were evaluated. Thirdly, a systematic method to assess the biodiversity effects was established. Finally, the design strategies to maximise urban biodiversity of green roofs were discussed. It is found that building development in the urban areas will destroy the habitats and result in biodiversity loss; the built environment created by green roofs is one of the mitigation methods for biodiversity conservation. Some urban cities in Europe and North America are developing research studies and government policies on biodiversity and green roofs. After reviewing the existing green roof guidelines and green building assessment methods, useful information was obtained to develop a systematic method for assessing the biodiversity effects. The method comprises of six major factors: (a) species diversity and richness, (b) substrate type and depth, (c) plant species selection, (d) connectivity to natural environment, (e) green roof ratio and (f) ecologically responsible development. ; postprint

AbstractThis study evaluated the potential of transforming nonvegetated (grey) roofs into vegetated (green) roofs to increase their water retention capacity and the retention of surface runoff in Taipei City. Of the total area of Taipei City (26 855 ha), we found that 304.5 ha of grey roof could be converted to green roof. Residential areas with higher living standards had a greater potential for grey roof to green roof transformation. The sampled substrate had an average porosity of 59.2% and a bulk density of 1.00 g/cm3. Surface runoff is likely to occur when the level of precipitation exceeds the field capacity of the green roof (13.3 mm/day). The highest percentage of runoff reduction (59.0%) occurred in the cold season. During the rainy months, the runoff reduction ranged from 14% to 28%. The water retention capacity of the green roof was higher during low‐intensity rainfall events than during high‐intensity rainfall events.