Impact of Green Roofs on Hot and Humid Climate-Vijayawada

STRUCTURE OF PAPER

Submitted by

S.R.S. SANTHOSH KUMAR REDDY

Reg: No: 1130100376

B. Arch V Year

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

VIJAYAWADA

AUGUST, 2017
 TITLE
Impact of Green Roofs on Hot and Humid Climate-Vijayawada

ABSTRACT
In India Growth and spread of cities lead to the reduction of forests and
green areas of the urban center with built structures. This is one of the
reasons for increasing temperature about 2-5% in an urban environment
and consequently also one of the key causes of urban heat island effects.
green roofs are one option that can reduce the negative impact of urban
development providing numerous environmental benefits. In this paper,
Vijayawada city is taken as case to study as it is experiencing rapid
urbanization because of new capital Amaravati. that has resulted in
remarkable urban heat island; which once recorded a highest temperature
of 49c. This paper focuses on the change in quality of the local
environment with the introduction of green roofs. An in-depth study has to
be carried out to understand the distribution of land surface temperature
and land use of Vijayawada. Delineation of an area which has the highest
temperature has been selected to adopt green roof retrofitting. Latest
technologies of green roof retrofitting have to be implemented in the
selected region. The results of the study indicate a significant temperature
reduction in the local environment of that region, confirming the potential
of green roofs as urban heat island mitigation strategy.
Keywords: Green roofs, urban heat island, retrofitting, Energy
consumption.
INTRODUCTION:
In hot humid regions using cooling strategies to aid energy savings and
reduce pollution levels are of great necessity. Vijayawada is a highly
populated urban area which is characterized by a numerous buildings,
infrastructure and hard scapes that absorb heat rapidly leaving massive
hot spots, more commonly known as urban heat islands. In efforts to
alleviate heat levels in this region the use of green roofs on buildings is
one of the option for the positive impacts on cooling hot areas, reducing
carbon emissions and controlling energy consumption. Due to the high
value of land in urban areas, there is an immediate need for green space
alternatives. In this context, the green roofs represent an interesting
technology to reduce the cooling loads both for new or existing buildings.
Historically, green roof concept has been around for centuries, since 580
BC when King Nebuchadnezzars created the Hanging gardens of Babylon
(Okeil, 2010). Today the global interest in the green roof or roof top
garden has generated several benefits such as, substitution of productive
land and possible usage for food production, controlling the urban heat
island effect, integration of vegetation and soil as usable building
materials; insulating and shielding the building form external climatic
factors. Moreover, the environmental benefits include promoting
biodiversity, reducing air pollution and dust, creating attractive open
spaces, providing wildlife habitat.

Consequently, this research will explore the performance of green roofs in

hot and humid climate, look at the current climatic situation, and change
in quality of the local environment with the introduction of green roofs.
Assess the use of GIS software for calculation of roof area. The results of
the study indicate a significant temperature reduction in the local
environment of that region, confirming the potential of green roofs as
urban heat island mitigation strategy.
LITERATURE REVIEW (TO BE IMPROVED):
Two types of green roofs are generally identified: extensive (with soil
thickness less than 10 and 15 cm and intensive (with soil thickness more
than 15 and 20 cm). Extensive green roofs are suitable for building
retrofitting and they do not require any additional strengthening. The
choice of green roofs characteristics depends on the weather conditions
and plant species.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
Started with a question: Why temperature is more in Vijayawada? When
compared with surrounding areas.
Studying the present scenario of Vijayawada (required open green space
should be 10% but in Vijayawada it is 2.7% approx.)
One of the reason for increase in temperature is reduction of green areas
because of urban sprawl.
Need for greenery to reduce negative impact of urban development.
green roof is one of the option.
Studying the importance of green roofs and Understanding the
difference between extensive and intensive green roofs based on
requirement, maintenance, activities etc.
An in-depth study has to be carried out to understand the
distribution of land surface temperature and land use of Vijayawada.
Delineation of an area which has the highest temperature has been
selected to adopt green roof retrofitting.
Calculation of roof area for the selected region using GIS software
and selection of roofs for retrofitting.
Studying available vegetation for hot and humid climate.
Study various advanced latest technologies involved for retrofitting
and have to be implemented in the selected region.
The results of the study indicate a significant temperature reduction
in the local environment of that region, confirming the potential of
green roofs as urban heat island mitigation strategy.
4. MATERIALS:
5. DESCRIPTION OF TYPE OF RESEARCH
6. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Understand change in quality of the local environment in Vijayawada with
the introduction of green roofs.
7. DATA ANALYSIS
8. RESULTS
9. DISCUSSIONS
10. RECOMMENDATIONS
11. CONCLUSION
12. REFERENCES

Castleton, H., Stovin, V., Beck, S., & Davison, J. (2010). Green roofs; building energy
savings and the potential for retrofit. Energy and Buildings, 42 (2010) 15821591.

Lee, J. S., Kim, J. T., & Lee, M. G. (2014). Mitigation of urban heat island effect and
greenroofs. Indoor and Built Environment, Vol. 23(1) 6269.

Virk, G., Jansz, A., Mavrogianni, A., Mylona, A., Stocker, J., & Davies, M. (2014).
The effectiveness of retrofitted green and cool roofs at reducing overheating in a
naturally ventilated office in London: Direct and indirect effects in current and future
climates. Indoor and Built Environment, 23(3) 504520.

Melching, S., Resnick, J., & Carleo, T. (2012). A New York Story: Case Studies in
Green Roof Retrofits. Cities Alive 2012 Green Roof and Green Wall Conference. New
York Story: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.