Efficient Plant Types and Coverage Rates for Optimal Green Roof to Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect

Jinsil Park, Yeeun Shin, Suyeon Kim, Sang-Woo Lee and Kyungjin An
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Jinsil Park: Department of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Yeeun Shin: Department of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Suyeon Kim: Rural Environment & Resource Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Jeonju 54875, Korea
Sang-Woo Lee: Department of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Kyungjin An: Department of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Green roofs are implemented to reduce the urban heat island effect; however, studies are limited to comparing the reduction in urban heat island effect before and after implementation, and the focus is on the structural stability of the building rather than urban heat island reduction. In this study, using the sky view factor (SVF) in ENVI-met, a 3D microclimate modeling program, urban spaces were classified as closed, semi-open, and open areas. Meanwhile, the green roof types were subdivided according to the vegetation coverage rates, which included grass, shrubs, and trees. The vegetation ratio was evaluated using ENVI-met to determine which of the 10 scenarios was most effective for each urban space. The thermal environment was most comfortable in semi-open areas. Therefore, the green roof scenario with 70% grass and 30% trees was effective in closed areas, 50% shrubs and 50% trees were best in semi-open areas, and 70% grass with 30% trees, or 30% grass and 70% trees, was best in open areas. This study provides a basis for creating green roof guidelines aimed at improving the urban thermal environment, as well as creating other green infrastructure elements in cities.

Keywords: ENVI-met; urban heat island; green roof; thermal environment; thermal comfort; vegetation ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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