The Mediterranean environment has particular characteristics which require in depth study particularly with respect to urban and anthropic areas. This means that planning and building green roofs requires the study of a model which in terms of technology, composition and species choice is suited to Mediterranean characteristics. Species choice in the Mediterranean as regards climatic adaptability can count on thousands of species. One proposal for roof gardens according to local context was: the use of Mediterranean landscape through specific planning techniques and xeriscaping using drought-tolerant plants. In this work, a procedural methodology was developed which leads to the formulation of specific ‘green’ construction techniques for the Mediterranean environment which are applicable to roof gardens. Picking out examples in strongly anthropic contexts within the Mediterranean which presented diverse problems among those analysed helped identify the construction types and characteristics. So, guidelines were drawn which highlight the specific techniques to build a roof garden suitable for a Mediterranean city. 2. Analyses and results The re-naturalisation of the city is one of the new frontiers in urban and territorial planning. The difficulty of finding areas adapt as green spaces is common. Creating roof gardens is an efficient method in support of the new town planning theories and of the concept of ‘a green system to compensate that which was suppressed’. From project analyses, most reference is made to adopting the specific techniques of: Mediterranean landscape and xeriscaping. A proposal to use suitable methods to build roof-gardens according to the local context is adopting this strategy: xeriscaping using drought-tolerant plants. 3. Conclusions Covering high percentages of urban areas in sealed and weatherproofed pavement is not just an aesthetic problem but also one which has affected the environment and ecosystems. Through bio-mitigation, plants and green roofs can contribute in reducing urban heat. Furthermore, sustainable planning as well as optimum landscape planning, can considerably improve urban microclimates and consequently the quality of life.
Green roofs: an environmental tool for the Mediterranean city
TOMASELLI, Giovanna Maria Pina
2014-01-01
Abstract
The Mediterranean environment has particular characteristics which require in depth study particularly with respect to urban and anthropic areas. This means that planning and building green roofs requires the study of a model which in terms of technology, composition and species choice is suited to Mediterranean characteristics. Species choice in the Mediterranean as regards climatic adaptability can count on thousands of species. One proposal for roof gardens according to local context was: the use of Mediterranean landscape through specific planning techniques and xeriscaping using drought-tolerant plants. In this work, a procedural methodology was developed which leads to the formulation of specific ‘green’ construction techniques for the Mediterranean environment which are applicable to roof gardens. Picking out examples in strongly anthropic contexts within the Mediterranean which presented diverse problems among those analysed helped identify the construction types and characteristics. So, guidelines were drawn which highlight the specific techniques to build a roof garden suitable for a Mediterranean city. 2. Analyses and results The re-naturalisation of the city is one of the new frontiers in urban and territorial planning. The difficulty of finding areas adapt as green spaces is common. Creating roof gardens is an efficient method in support of the new town planning theories and of the concept of ‘a green system to compensate that which was suppressed’. From project analyses, most reference is made to adopting the specific techniques of: Mediterranean landscape and xeriscaping. A proposal to use suitable methods to build roof-gardens according to the local context is adopting this strategy: xeriscaping using drought-tolerant plants. 3. Conclusions Covering high percentages of urban areas in sealed and weatherproofed pavement is not just an aesthetic problem but also one which has affected the environment and ecosystems. Through bio-mitigation, plants and green roofs can contribute in reducing urban heat. Furthermore, sustainable planning as well as optimum landscape planning, can considerably improve urban microclimates and consequently the quality of life.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.