Green roofs and living walls are a model and inspiration for innovative activities of local Polish authorities for energy saving and climate protection. Each new building in France – an office building, a hotel or a magazine – will have to have a green roof or solar cells. It is due to the law adopted in France in March 2015, which requires development of roofs in a friendly way for climate and the environment. This trend is visible all over the word. SPCleantech cluster supports and engages in the activities of the cluster members to lobby this types of thinking, actions and the implementation of projects in the cities, municipalities and housing estate.
One of the founding members of SPCleantech, Association of Municipalities Polish Network “Energie Cité” (www.pnec.org.pl) deals with the issues of green roofs and living walls for years. The project co-financed by the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme organized seminars, conferences, produced films and teaching materials to promote action along these lines.
The project refers to the trends modernist architecture of the 20th century, initiated by the Swiss-born, world-famous architect, Le Corbusier, the concept of “roof gardens” as compensation green space occupied by the building. The arrangements for the use of green roofs were known in antiquity, and the nations of the North, hundreds of years ago with a roof made of turf protect their homes from the harsh climate.
Recently, very popular with unconventional urban corps have a wide appeal vertical gardens, which are formed by putting on facades of buildings, not only vines but also perennials, shrubs and even small trees. A green roof is a special roof covering, consisting of multiple layers, wher allow is planting of plants. This investment entails additional costs, but also the numerous benefits.
- greenroofssignificantlyreducerainwaterrun off, and the outlet is significantlyslowed down,
- extreme temperature differencesanddamagingultraviolet radiationacting on theroofsurfacesare reduced, and thus the elementsof the roof structureand thetechnicallayerrequire lessmaintenance andrepairs,
- greenroofis a goodthermal insulator: coolsin summer, warmerin winter, reducing heating costsand expensesfor air conditioningon hot days,
- withvegetationon the streetsand parksclean the air, produce oxygenandcool down thecity duringheats and preventing the formation ofurban”heat islands”
- plantsminimizes noise,
- also allow forbetter deployment ofexpensiveurban areasasgreen areasandgardens,whichhas a positiveimpact on the attractivenessof investmentand profitability.
The aim of the project is to increase the knowledge Polish governments on the impact of green roofs and walls to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, improved retention of rainwater and enrich the biodiversity of urban areas, as well as to promote the best European and Polish practices in technology implementation of green roofs and living walls.
If you are interested the issues of green roofs and living walls or you want to carry out the project or investment associated with this, please contact us. SPCleantech and our partners have knowledge on this subject. Together we can also apply for EU funds for these types of projects.