Abstract
Green and blue-green roofs are emerging as an increasingly popular feature of rooftops, particularly in urban areas. Particular problematic conditions render their usage complex in the Nordic countries. In order to ensure that green roofs are built durable and with the service life expected of them, it is important to know all the relevant factors surrounding their construction and operation. A scoping study was conducted in order to gain an overview on green roof research and available scientific literature. One hundred articles of particular interest for Nordic climates were retrieved and their findings summarized. It is found that the vast majority of green roof research has been conducted on a theoretical basis, or with practical measurements on green roof test beds or isolated components. There is scarcely any literature on the operation of full-scale, building-implemented green roofs, and no articles were found on the building technical performance of aged green roofs. These knowledge gaps indicate a major risk factor in green roof operation, as their performance and integrity over time has not been documented. This despite the fact that green roofs have been implemented and in operation worldwide for decades.
Highlights
In the Nordic countries, climate change is expected to manifest in the form of warmer, wetter weather
The subject has been approached from a variety of angles, all mostly concluding that green roofs reduce building energy consumption, but that the benefit is smaller for well-insulated buildings in cold climates
Keeping drains and downpipes functional over time is a vital part of green roof operation, but it is not mentioned in the investigated literature
Summary
In the Nordic countries, climate change is expected to manifest in the form of warmer, wetter weather. It is already estimated [1] that average annual rainfall in Norway has increased by 20% in the past 100 years. Urban densification has continued; with larger fractions of ground surfaces being paved over and impervious to rain water, preventing local infiltration and leaving more stormwater on the surface. An aesthetically pleasing solution involves living plants in rain beds, which allows for local water infiltration and evaporation Such so-called “blue-green solutions” may be incorporated on building rooftops, in the form of slightly modified green roofs. Green roofs are becoming an increasingly popular feature in urban contexts
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