France- the world’s arbiter for haute couture now takes
aesthetics to a higher level: rooftops.
France has recently passed a new law that states all
commercial buildings must be partially covered in either solar panels or
plants. These “Green roofs” -whether featuring grasses, wildflowers or
vegetable plants- majorly help to insulate buildings, hence reduce the need for
both air conditioning and heating. A study led by Spanish researchers
demonstrated how dense vegetation can minimize the heat entering a building via
its roof by 60%, proving its effectiveness as a cooling system.
 |
| A "Green Wall" I sighted when in Paris, at the Musée du quai |
Green roofs further help to improve air quality by absorbing
toxic pollutants, as well as significantly decreasing the “heat island” effect
in which urban areas are much warmer than their surroundings due to human
activities. They also help with storm
water management- the water is stored by the substrate (underlying substance or
layer), then is absorbed by plants, thus returned to the atmosphere via
evapotranspiration.
In densely developed cities, they additionally provide a
place for urban wildlife, such as for birds to nest, and people to grow food.
As space is limited within bustling cities, Green Roofs also open new
recreational areas for community gardens.
However they do have their disadvantages- Green roofs are
not cheap to install and maintain, and their price and complexity may
discourage homeowners and developers. Nevertheless a 2008 study by the
University of Michigan showed that their benefits do outweigh the additional
initial investment.
I think Green Roofs are a very positive step forward towards
more eco-friendly cities. For there are so many unused rooftops in cities today
that could potentially instantaneously cover their own power needs, as solar
photovoltaics can be seamlessly integrated within an urban setting.
No comments:
Post a Comment