3,000 Plants for Rabat’s Green Roof to Provide Data to Make Buildings Sustainable

Industry News
Written By Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Sourced from Malta Today

A new experimental green roof at the Għajn Water Conservation Centre in Rabat will gather scientific data to explore the potential of this green infrastructure for flood prevention, while making buildings more sustainable and energy efficient.

A team from the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) team developed this green roof, as part of the GiFluid Project in collaboration with the University of Catania, and co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Italia-Malta Programme.

Following the upcoming two-year data collection period, EWA is planning to open the green roof to visitors.

The new green roof is a multi-faceted structure, featuring a diverse mix of vegetation capable of thriving in Malta’s local climate, complemented by photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate clean energy. Over 3,000 plants were carefully selected and introduced to the roof, specifically chosen for their ability to withstand Malta’s arid conditions.

For the next two years, this project will serve as a protype for EWA to gather data on how green roofs affect rainwater flows on roofs, how much of it is retained by the vegetation and the time taken to release it. EWA will also analyse the quality of rainwater runoff from the green roof, focusing on nutrient levels, notably nitrates. This evaluation will shed light on any potential impacts associated with the adoption of green roofs.

Read the full article

From the Living Architecture Monitor

Featured
Why the Climate Crisis Requires 21st Century-Like Victory Gardens and High Tech Solutions 
Why the Climate Crisis Requires 21st Century-Like Victory Gardens and High Tech Solutions 

This article begins to make the case for increased public policy and private investment on a wide range of approaches to producing food in our urban environments in the face of climate change threats to food security. 

Sustainable Future Podcast:</a> Seeing the Future of Agriculture
Sustainable Future Podcast: Seeing the Future of Agriculture

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier to discuss his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming.

Recovering Green Roofs to Feed Native Birds
Recovering Green Roofs to Feed Native Birds

Bird populations are an indicator of ecosystem health. Birds are in decline worldwide primarily due to the destruction and degradation of their habitat by humans. By design, green roofs can be planted to feed and shelter birds. This article reviews how green roofs have been planted to recover habitats for feeding birds.

A Closer Look at Offices of Urban Agriculture
A Closer Look at Offices of Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture offices promote local produce in cities, like rooftop farms in New York and San Francisco. Washington D.C.'s Office of Urban Agriculture aims to expand food production, integrate landscapes, and educate communities, aligning with sustainability goals and fostering economic activity.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities https://greenroofs.org/
Previous

Boston Society For Architecture Forms Green Roof and Infrastructure Team (GRIT) to promote Climate Change Mitigations
Next

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Renews Board of Directors with Diverse Expertise