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Green Roof Effects

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IMPACT OF GREEN ROOF IN REDUCING SURFACE TEMPERATURE IN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF LAHORE

Abstract
In Pakistan currently 1/3rd of the population is living in urban areas, it is estimated that by year 2025 almost 50% population would be urbanized [1]. The urbanization results in densely populated areas as well as expansion of cities [2]. The reduction in green spaces and increase in paved surfaces have given rise to urban heat island effect. As component of the research work carried out to investigate the effect of green roofs on indoor temperature in climatic conditions of Lahore, influence of green roofs on surface temperatures has also been monitored. Half hourly temperature variations above green roof surface and conventional built up roof …show more content…
The expansion trends have swallowed adjacent green areas. Densely spaced paved surfaces and reduced vegetation cover within and around cities have given rise to urban heat island (UHI) effect, resultantly increase in city temperatures. Green roofs have multidimensional benefits including reduction in inside building temperature, storm water runoff reduction, reduction in urban heat island effect, pollution removal from air and improved biodiversity.
Green roofs provide shading to the underneath surface combined with evapotranspiration such roofs are helpful in mitigating urban heat island effect. The vegetative cover only allows 10-30% of sun energy to reach the surface during summer, rest is being absorbed by leaves for photosynthesis process [3]. In general the temperature above green roof surface remains lower than the ambient temperature as compared to temperature above conventional roof surface, however it depends upon various factors including type of vegetation, composition and moisture content of growing media and exposure to the sun [4, …show more content…
The aspect of reduction in air pollution level by green roofs was studied in Chicago. It was estimated that annually per hectare of green roofs are causing 85 kg ha-1 yr-1 reduction in air pollution level. The highest reduction in air pollution level was observed in May and lowest in February [8]. Research carried out in USA to study the effect of green roofs as alternative to land cover shown that green roofs performed considerably well in managing storm water runoff and reducing surface temperatures in comparison to paved and asphalt surfaces. Integrated along with modular green roofs were studied in Georgia and modular green roof in Massachusetts were monitored. It was shown that integrated green roof offered 78% rainfall retention whereas modular roof offered 67% retention in Georgia. Further the study also validated the thermal performance of green roofs [9]. Green roof in Manchester, UK surface demonstrated 1.06 oC decrease as compared to temperature above conventional concrete roof surface [10]. Study carried out in Florida university building demonstrated that summer temperature above green roof surface was 3.9 oC lower than the temperature above conventional roof surface [11]. In this context a research was carried out to determine the effect of green roof on indoor air temperature in climatic conditions

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