The weather is increasingly getting warmer in our cities. Higher green cover can help to keep the weather moderate.
We have been experiencing very hot days during the spring and summer. A lack of greenery is often cited as the reason.
The authorities, various NGOs, and other institutions are regularly implementing plantation drives. However, there is a need for every citizen to take some steps.
The concept of sustainable housing is no longer just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
One of the most effective yet often overlooked solutions for urban living is the green roof.
More than just an aesthetic addition, a green roof offers environmental, health, and financial advantages.
Different cities in India are adopting green roofing in ways that reflect their local climate, urban density, and cultural practices.
In this article, we will discuss the concept, the benefits, and how you can install a green roof at your home.
Let’s go.
The Concept
A green roof, also known as a living roof, is designed to be covered with greenery. It’s basically a garden or landscape on top of a building that can be an important part of its planning and construction.
It is a system where vegetation is grown over a waterproof membrane installed on the roof.
The system constitutes multiple layers:
- Vegetation
- Growing medium (soil or soil substitute)
- Waterproofing (to prevent water from leaking into the building)
- Drainage and filter layers (to manage excess water and prevent waterlogging)
- Root barrier (to prevent root growth from harming the roof’s structure)
Types of Green Roof
There are two types of green roofs:
Extensive Green Roofs
These are typically shallower, using lighter materials like grasses, small plants, and mosses, and require less maintenance
Intensive Green Roofs
They are heavier and can hold plants with deeper roots, like bushes or vegetable gardens, but they need more care and support.
Advantages of Green Roofs
In a tropical country like India, green roofs have several benefits.
Our cities face a multitude of environmental challenges, including water scarcity, urban heat islands, and air pollution. Green roofs can directly address some of these issues.
It also makes the home temperature more comfortable without using too much energy.
Let us discuss the usefulness of green roofs in the Indian context.
Reduced Urban Heat Island Effect
Because of the large concentration of heat-retaining structures and roads, urban areas are frequently substantially warmer than rural ones. This is called the urban heat island effect.
Green roofs help lower the surface temperature of buildings and the surrounding air, which can reduce the urban heat island effect.
It does so by reflecting more sunlight, evaporating water through plant transpiration, and cooling the air naturally.
Rainwater Management
Indian towns frequently encounter two extremes: water shortage and waterlogging.
Green roofs can help solve both problems. It absorbs and delays rainwater runoff, alleviates pressure on urban drainage systems, and enables rainwater collection and groundwater recharge.
For installing a green roof water requirement is minimal with drought-resistant plants and drip irrigation.
Improved Air Quality
Pollution is a major concern in Indian metros. Green roofs filter air pollutants, dust, and harmful gases like NO₂ and CO₂.
Vegetation can absorb pollutants from the air and reduce carbon dioxide levels.
Esthetic and Recreational Space
A green roof converts an unappealing rooftop into a lovely terrace garden. It transforms into a calm place for morning yoga, evening tea, or even small meetings.
Energy Efficiency
Green roofs can help reduce energy costs by providing insulation and reducing the need for air-conditioning. This has a beneficial effect on the environment.
Biodiversity Enhancement
A green roof transforms into a mini-ecosystem, providing habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects that might otherwise be displaced by development.
In Pune, Mr. Ankur Patwardhan, head of the Annasaheb Kulkarni biodiversity department at Abasaheb Garware College, has developed a roof garden that attracts more than 15 species of butterflies.
How You Can Create A Green Roof at Your House
If you intend to build a green roof on your home, the first step is to perform a structural analysis to determine how much weight your roof can support.
Extensive green roofs are lighter and more suited to most existing dwellings.
Once structural safety has been proven, waterproofing is critical. A high-quality waterproof membrane ensures that no water enters the structure. To protect this layer from harm caused by plant roots, a root barrier is installed above it.
The drainage and filter layers govern water flow, followed by the growing media, which can be a combination of soil, compost, and lightweight pebbles.
Plant selection is critical. In most Indian climes, natural plants like lemongrass, marigold, aloe vera, and hardy herbs like mint and basil thrive. These are not only durable but also provide extra benefits such as pest control and air purification.
Finally, maintenance should be scheduled. While extensive green roofs are mostly self-sustaining, requiring little watering and pruning, regular inspections are required to preserve the health of the vegetation and the integrity of the roofing layers.
Sustainable Homes
Green roofs are a smart, environment-friendly approach to improving urban environments in India. As more Indian towns look for new solutions to combat climate change and pollution, green roofs will surely become an important feature of our architectural and ecological landscape.
