Terrace gardens benefit biodiversity, help in rainwater harvesting and reduce the heat island effect

Green roofs can cool buildings in summer and prevent heat loss in winter. A new study suggests, however, that in the warm climates of southern Europe the additional cost of watering means that 'cool roof coatings??? may be more cost effective.

Simple characteristics of plant species - such as height or leaf size - can be used to predict the ecosystem services provided by the green roofs they grow on, a new study suggests. The researchers suggest that their method could be used to screen the thousands of potential plant species in order to optimize green roof design.

Green roofs have been proposed to mitigate flooding in urban areas. This study combined field experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the ability of green roofs to absorb rainwater. The authors describe how green roofs can be most effective at mitigating flooding, providing findings which will be important for policy on green infrastructure.

A new study has looked at the potential of green infrastructure to compensate for the effects of soil sealing generated by urban development. It investigates how green roofs and permeable paving could contribute to flood mitigation in southern Italy. Using a hydraulic model technique, the researchers found that, in this particular urban case, green roofs were more effective than permeable paving. Policies to promote the adoption of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) by the private sector could thus prove more effective under certain circumstances, and policymakers should look at ways to promote SUDS where suitable.

The rooftops of Manhattan are as varied as the city itself. A glance at the city skyline reveals a myriad of shapes and colors. Look a little closer and the sha

Aedas designs a railway station like a hill you can walk on.

They are certainly more reflective, but that's not the only thing that matters.

Sewage overflow is a major problem in the Big Apple, but with a little more green on city rooftops, the overflow could be prevented.

Strange things happen when roofs touch the ground.

Jean-Philippe Pargade designs a school where the green roof IS the building, defining its whole look and feel

We are going to need a new term that binds them all together. A lecture in 20 slides.

A new study shows that a quick look at a green roof perks you right up.