IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i8p3131-d1372700.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Green Roofs: Nature-Based Solution or Forced Substitute for Biologically Active Areas? A Case Study of Lublin City, Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Malwina Michalik-Śnieżek

    (Department of Grassland and Landscape Planning, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

  • Kamila Adamczyk-Mucha

    (Department of Grassland and Landscape Planning, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

  • Rozalia Sowisz

    (Department of Grassland and Landscape Planning, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

  • Alicja Bieske-Matejak

    (Department of Grassland and Landscape Planning, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

Abstract

Green roofs have become an increasingly popular feature in building design, driven by their bio-physical properties and aesthetic and recreational values. They serve as a key element in promoting the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) in urban fabrics, aiming to enhance urban environments, mitigate climate impact, and create more sustainable urban spaces. Polish regulations mandate that investors maintain a designated proportion of biologically active areas, ensuring natural vegetation and rainwater retention. Green roofs fulfill this requirement and can serve as compensation for the loss of biologically active areas due to construction. Unfortunately, the regulations lack specificity regarding their construction. This study aimed to examine whether green roofs consistently represent NBSs, as frequently presented in the scientific literature, or rather serve as a legal substitute for biologically active areas. The research was conducted in Lublin, the ninth largest city in Poland. Field studies, analysis of planning documentation, and review of administrative decisions have revealed that the majority of green roofs in Lublin have a greenwashing character, meaning they were installed to meet urbanistic indicators rather than for climate, environmental, or aesthetic reasons. Such studies have not been conducted before in relation to local spatial development plans and administrative decisions in Poland, and they show that this approach does not contribute to increasing biodiversity on investment plots. Notably, the investor would be denied construction permits without the incorporation of green roofs. Consequently, this leads to the conclusion that not all green roofs fulfill the criteria of NBS, as not all ensure an increase in biodiversity. Therefore, legal provisions regarding their establishment should be revised and specified.

Suggested Citation

  • Malwina Michalik-Śnieżek & Kamila Adamczyk-Mucha & Rozalia Sowisz & Alicja Bieske-Matejak, 2024. "Green Roofs: Nature-Based Solution or Forced Substitute for Biologically Active Areas? A Case Study of Lublin City, Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:8:p:3131-:d:1372700
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/8/3131/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/8/3131/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    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. 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.
    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. Tan, Taotao & Kong, Fanhua & Yin, Haiwei & Cook, Lauren M. & Middel, Ariane & Yang, Shaoqi, 2023. "Carbon dioxide reduction from green roofs: A comprehensive review of processes, factors, and quantitative methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(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. Azis, Shazmin Shareena Ab., 2021. "Improving present-day energy savings among green building sector in Malaysia using benefit transfer approach: Cooling and lighting loads," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. 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.
    6. Abdullah Addas, 2023. "Understanding the Relationship between Urban Biophysical Composition and Land Surface Temperature in a Hot Desert Megacity (Saudi Arabia)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Rashidi, Hamidreza & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali & GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein & Nik Sulaiman, Nik Meriam & Tookey, John & Hashim, Nur Awanis, 2015. "Application of wastewater treatment in sustainable design of green built environments: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 845-856.
    8. Margareth Viecco & Sergio Vera & Héctor Jorquera & Waldo Bustamante & Jorge Gironás & Cynnamon Dobbs & Eduardo Leiva, 2018. "Potential of Particle Matter Dry Deposition on Green Roofs and Living Walls Vegetation for Mitigating Urban Atmospheric Pollution in Semiarid Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    9. Bakhshoodeh, Reza & Ocampo, Carlos & Oldham, Carolyn, 2022. "Thermal performance of green façades: Review and analysis of published data," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    10. SangHyeok Lee & Donghyun Kim, 2022. "Multidisciplinary Understanding of the Urban Heating Problem and Mitigation: A Conceptual Framework for Urban Planning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    11. Andrea Pianella & Lu Aye & Zhengdong Chen & Nicholas S. G. Williams, 2017. "Substrate Depth, Vegetation and Irrigation Affect Green Roof Thermal Performance in a Mediterranean Type Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    12. Andrea D’Aniello & Luigi Cimorelli & Luca Cozzolino & Domenico Pianese, 2019. "The Effect of Geological Heterogeneity and Groundwater Table Depth on the Hydraulic Performance of Stormwater Infiltration Facilities," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(3), pages 1147-1166, February.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. Yasser Jezzini & Ghiwa Assaf & Rayan H. Assaad, 2023. "Models and Methods for Quantifying the Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits and Challenges of Green Infrastructure: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-40, May.
    16. Duan, Shuangping & Luo, Zhiwen & Yang, Xinyan & Li, Yuguo, 2019. "The impact of building operations on urban heat/cool islands under urban densification: A comparison between naturally-ventilated and air-conditioned buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 129-138.
    17. Liu, Jiahong & Wang, Jia & Ding, Xiangyi & Shao, Weiwei & Mei, Chao & Li, Zejin & Wang, Kaibo, 2020. "Assessing the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from a green infrastructure-based urban drainage system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    18. Abdul Naser Majidi & Zoran Vojinovic & Alida Alves & Sutat Weesakul & Arlex Sanchez & Floris Boogaard & Jeroen Kluck, 2019. "Planning Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Flood Reduction and Thermal Comfort Enhancement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-27, November.
    19. Vidya Anderson & Matej Zgela & William A. Gough, 2023. "Building Urban Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions: A Multi-Scale Case Study of the Atmospheric Cleansing Potential of Green Infrastructure in Southern Ontario, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, September.
    20. 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.

    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:16:y:2024:i:8:p:3131-:d:1372700. 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.