Green Roofs as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Urban Heating During a Heatwave Event in the City of Athens, Greece

Christos Spyrou (), Marika Koukoula, Pantelis-Manolis Saviolakis, Christos Zerefos, Michael Loupis, Charis Masouras, Aikaterini Pappa and Petros Katsafados
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Christos Spyrou: Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
Marika Koukoula: Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Pantelis-Manolis Saviolakis: Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens (HUA), 17671 Athens, Greece
Christos Zerefos: Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
Michael Loupis: General Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 34400 Psachna, Greece
Charis Masouras: General Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 34400 Psachna, Greece
Aikaterini Pappa: Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens (HUA), 17671 Athens, Greece
Petros Katsafados: Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens (HUA), 17671 Athens, Greece

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-24

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of green roof (GR) implementations as a mitigation strategy for urban heating during an extreme heat wave event in Athens, Greece, from 28 July to 5 August 2021. Three GR scenarios were simulated, namely 100% grass coverage, 100% sedum coverage, and 50% grass coverage, using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) in conjunction with the multi-layer urban-canopy-model BEP&BEM (Building Effect Parameterization/Building Energy Model) and extra urban land-use categories from Local Climate Zones (LCZ). Based on the results, GRs alter the local heat balance in the Greater Area of Athens (GAA), leading to a total temperature reduction. The 100% grass coverage proved to be the most effective, particularly during daytime, reducing the 2 m temperature field by approximately 0.7 ∘ C (mean value) in the GAA. In some locations, temperature reductions exceeded 2 ∘ C, depending on the local characteristics and the direction of the prevailing winds. Grass offered superior cooling effects compared to sedum, although sedum is more resilient to dry and moderate climates. The extent of vegetation coverage played an important role in the effectiveness of GRs. Reducing the coverage by 50% significantly reduced the cooling benefits, highlighting the importance of maximizing vegetation coverage to achieve notable temperature reductions.

Keywords: green roofs; urban heat island effect; nature-based solutions; urban modelling; heatwaves; climate change mitigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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