Sustainable Construction in post-industrial Ursus district in Warsaw: Biologically Active Areas on Roofs and Underground Garages

Abstract

Urbanization leads to the expansion of urban areas and increased population density, which has a negative impact on natural resources, including green spaces. To address these environmental challenges, various green measures and sustainable development practices offer environmental, economic and societal benefits. This article provides an overview of different types of green roofs, discusses their advantages and disadvantages, and outlines current legislation on biologically active areas in new residential developments. A residential project in the Ursus district of Warsaw was used as a case study to compare intensive and extensive green roofs. The project involved the installation of vegetation on the roof of an underground garage and later on the roof of the building, with detailed descriptions of the roof layers and vegetation used. One experiment examined seasonal variations in water runoff from green roofs. Three test sites simulated different seasons, with substrates in containers and vegetation watered twice daily. Results showed that spring, with temperatures around 15°C, provided optimal conditions for green roof establishment, while winter posed challenges due to frost. Both intensive and extensive green roofs have positive environmental, social and economic impacts, supporting the pillars of sustainable development. Examples of global green infrastructure further illustrate these benefits.