The contribution of green roofs to mitigate urban heat island effect in Rio de Janeiro

Sarka Konasova

ABSTRACT: Green roofs represent the reintroduction and inclusion of vegetation and biodiversity in the built urban environment. The integration of vegetation through green roofs; for example, using grasses, succulents, flowers, shrubs, and trees in urban areas is particularly important to maintain cool built urban environment because buildings, streets and other infrastructures increase the heat absorption, which results in the urban heat island effect. In addition to mitigating the warm urban climate, green roofs reduce energy consumption, provide spaces for recreation, and preserve biodiversity, which is probably one of the greatest challenges of our time, considering climate changes and environmental degradation by massive urbanization. This paper demonstrates results of air temperature, air humidity, and surface temperature measurements between a conventional roof and an extensive green roof located in Rio de Janeiro. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of green roofs to mitigate the urban heat island effect through monitoring.

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