Abstract
This research reports the potential environmental benefits derived from an overall intervention of living skins [green roofs and green facades] in the city core of Vancouver, Canada. These include the reduction in cooling and heating demand; reduction in stormwater runoff; improvement of air quality; enrichment of urban biodiversity and urban agriculture; reduction in the urban heat island effect; the contribution to carbon neutral architecture; and an assessment of different construction systems. It analyses the environmental behaviour of the selected site by applying the Seattle Green Factor. The research focuses on the energy performance of a typical residential building within the selected area, through the Energy 10 simulation program. It also analyses the reduction in stormwater runoff through the Curve Number Method; as well as the reduction of CO2 emissions based on related research. Obtained data shows that the total energy used for cooling is reduced [100%] through the greening of roofs and facades, which means the 9% of the total energy demand by the studied building. It also shows that CO2 emissions would decrease by 9%; and stormwater runoff would be reduced by 4%. The research compares these findings with previous related research on green roofs, facades and urban forests. Its findings suggest that these types of “living skins” interventions achieve better environmental performance in warm-dry climates where cooling energy demand is greater.
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