IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i22p15976-d1280948.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainable Urban Environment through Green Roofs: A Literature Review with Case Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitris Perivoliotis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece)

  • Iasonas Arvanitis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece)

  • Anna Tzavali

    (Department of Regional and Economic Development, Agricultural University of Athens, 33100 Amfissa, Greece)

  • Vassilios Papakostas

    (Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece)

  • Sophia Kappou

    (Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece)

  • George Andreakos

    (Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece)

  • Angeliki Fotiadi

    (Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece)

  • John A. Paravantis

    (Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece)

  • Manolis Souliotis

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

  • Giouli Mihalakakou

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece)

Abstract

This study conducts a literature review coupled with case-study calculations comparing the thermal contribution of semi-intensive and intensive (deeper) green roofs to non-insulated and insulated building roofs, and enhancing comprehension by validating applied scenarios with published literature-based data. Mitigation of the urban heat island is crucial for reducing energy consumption and enhancing urban sustainability, especially through natural solutions such as green (i.e., planted) roofs. The energy and environmental benefits of green roofs include energy conservation, thermal comfort, noise reduction, and aesthetic improvement. Legal mandates, innovative business models, financial subsidies and incentives, regulations, etc. are all components of green roof policies. Conflicts between private property owners and the public, regulatory gaps, and high installation costs are among the challenges. Green roofs are layered and incorporate interacting thermal processes. Green roof models are either based on the calculation of thermal transmittance (U-values), an experimental energy balance, or data-driven (primarily neural network) approaches. U-values were calculated for eight hypothetical scenarios consisting of four non-insulated and four insulated roofs, with or without semi-intensive and intensive green roofs of various materials and layer thicknesses. While the non-planted, non-insulated roof had the highest U-value, planted roofs were particularly effective for non-insulated roofs. Three of these scenarios were in reasonable accord with experimental and theoretical thermal transmittance literature values. Finally, a non-insulated planted roof, particularly one with rockwool, was found to provide a certain degree of thermal insulation in comparison to a non-planted insulated roof.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitris Perivoliotis & Iasonas Arvanitis & Anna Tzavali & Vassilios Papakostas & Sophia Kappou & George Andreakos & Angeliki Fotiadi & John A. Paravantis & Manolis Souliotis & Giouli Mihalakakou, 2023. "Sustainable Urban Environment through Green Roofs: A Literature Review with Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-25, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15976-:d:1280948
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15976/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15976/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jaffal, Issa & Ouldboukhitine, Salah-Eddine & Belarbi, Rafik, 2012. "A comprehensive study of the impact of green roofs on building energy performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 157-164.
    2. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
    3. He, Q. & Tapia, F. & Reith, A., 2023. "Quantifying the influence of nature-based solutions on building cooling and heating energy demand: A climate specific review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    4. He, Yang & Yu, Hang & Ozaki, Akihito & Dong, Nannan & Zheng, Shiling, 2017. "Influence of plant and soil layer on energy balance and thermal performance of green roof system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1285-1299.
    5. Shafique, Muhammad & Kim, Reeho & Rafiq, Muhammad, 2018. "Green roof benefits, opportunities and challenges – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 757-773.
    6. Vera, Sergio & Pinto, Camilo & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar & Bustamante, Waldo, 2018. "A critical review of heat and mass transfer in vegetative roof models used in building energy and urban enviroment simulation tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 752-764.
    7. Hanny Chandra Pratama & Theerawat Sinsiri & Aphai Chapirom, 2023. "Green Roof Development in ASEAN Countries: The Challenges and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, May.
    8. Coma, Julià & Pérez, Gabriel & Solé, Cristian & Castell, Albert & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2016. "Thermal assessment of extensive green roofs as passive tool for energy savings in buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1106-1115.
    9. Ascione, Fabrizio & Bianco, Nicola & de’ Rossi, Filippo & Turni, Gianluca & Vanoli, Giuseppe Peter, 2013. "Green roofs in European climates. Are effective solutions for the energy savings in air-conditioning?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 845-859.
    10. Liberalesso, Tiago & Oliveira Cruz, Carlos & Matos Silva, Cristina & Manso, Maria, 2020. "Green infrastructure and public policies: An international review of green roofs and green walls incentives," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mihalakakou, Giouli & Souliotis, Manolis & Papadaki, Maria & Menounou, Penelope & Dimopoulos, Panayotis & Kolokotsa, Dionysia & Paravantis, John A. & Tsangrassoulis, Aris & Panaras, Giorgos & Giannako, 2023. "Green roofs as a nature-based solution for improving urban sustainability: Progress and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    2. Manso, Maria & Teotónio, Inês & Silva, Cristina Matos & Cruz, Carlos Oliveira, 2021. "Green roof and green wall benefits and costs: A review of the quantitative evidence," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Bevilacqua, Piero, 2021. "The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing building energy consumptions across different climates. A summary of literature results," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Liberalesso, Tiago & Oliveira Cruz, Carlos & Matos Silva, Cristina & Manso, Maria, 2020. "Green infrastructure and public policies: An international review of green roofs and green walls incentives," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    5. Vera, Sergio & Pinto, Camilo & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar & Bustamante, Waldo, 2018. "A critical review of heat and mass transfer in vegetative roof models used in building energy and urban enviroment simulation tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 752-764.
    6. Noemi Caltabellotta & Felicia Cavaleri & Carlo Greco & Kestutis Navickas & Carlo Scibetta & Laura Giammanco, 2019. "Integration of green roofs&walls in urban areas," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2 Suppl.), pages 61-78.
    7. Tang, Mingfang & Zheng, Xing, 2019. "Experimental study of the thermal performance of an extensive green roof on sunny summer days," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1010-1021.
    8. Goudarzi, Hossein & Mostafaeipour, Ali, 2017. "Energy saving evaluation of passive systems for residential buildings in hot and dry regions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 432-446.
    9. Yang, An-Shik & Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Wen, Chih-Yung & Chang, Chao-Jui, 2017. "Numerical simulation of cooling effect of vegetation enhancement in a subtropical urban park," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 178-200.
    10. Bevilacqua, Piero & Bruno, Roberto & Arcuri, Natale, 2020. "Green roofs in a Mediterranean climate: energy performances based on in-situ experimental data," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 1414-1430.
    11. Kim, Jimin & Hong, Taehoon & Jeong, Jaemin & Koo, Choongwan & Jeong, Kwangbok, 2016. "An optimization model for selecting the optimal green systems by considering the thermal comfort and energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 682-695.
    12. Hashemi, Sajedeh Sadat Ghazizadeh & Mahmud, Hilmi Bin & Ashraf, Muhammad Aqeel, 2015. "Performance of green roofs with respect to water quality and reduction of energy consumption in tropics: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 669-679.
    13. Brunetti, Giuseppe & Porti, Michele & Piro, Patrizia, 2018. "Multi-level numerical and statistical analysis of the hygrothermal behavior of a non-vegetated green roof in a mediterranean climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 204-219.
    14. Seyed Mohammad Hossein Zakeri & Amir Mahdiyar, 2020. "The Hindrances to Green Roof Adoption in a Semi-Arid Climate Condition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    15. Daniel Mora-Melià & Carlos S. López-Aburto & Pablo Ballesteros-Pérez & Pedro Muñoz-Velasco, 2018. "Viability of Green Roofs as a Flood Mitigation Element in the Central Region of Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    16. Carlo Alberto Campiotti & Carlo Bibbiani & Alberto Campiotti & Evelia Schettini & Corinna Viola & Giuliano Vox, 2016. "Innovative sustainable strategies in agro-food systems and in buildings for energy efficiency," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(2), pages 79-96.
    17. Jim, C.Y., 2014. "Air-conditioning energy consumption due to green roofs with different building thermal insulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 49-59.
    18. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
    19. Ramshani, Mohammad & Li, Xueping & Khojandi, Anahita & Omitaomu, Olufemi, 2020. "An agent-based approach to study the diffusion rate and the effect of policies on joint placement of photovoltaic panels and green roof under climate change uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    20. Lee, Louis S.H. & Jim, C.Y., 2019. "Energy benefits of green-wall shading based on novel-accurate apportionment of short-wave radiation components," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1506-1518.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15976-:d:1280948. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.