Green Roofs Help Ease Daytime Temperatures for Londoners
Sourced from RTÉ
Already this summer, London has experienced three heatwaves with temperatures regularly climbing above 30 degrees Celsius.
Like many major cities, it retains heat due to the radiative and thermal properties of the buildings.
The use of green roofs, or rooftop gardens, to help bring down daytime temperatures in the city is becoming increasingly popular.
They can have benefits during winter too, by providing a layer of insulation.
Dr Oscar Brousse, from the Institute of Environmental Design and Engineering at University College London, explains that the green roof "changes how the energy coming from the sun is redistributed within our urban system".
"Typically vegetative surfaces are cooler than asphalt surfaces," he explains.
However, London is experiencing more extreme weather in general, with heavy rainfall too.
Due to a combination of factors, including an aging drainage system, the city can sometimes experience flooding.
Green roofs can help in terms of water management.
"When it rains for example, they will capture that rain which will benefit the plants and will avoid water run-off and flooding at the ground level," Dr Brousse explains.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
