Understanding the Challenges of Implementing Green Roofs in Multi-Family Apartment Buildings: A Case Study in Khulna

Source:
By:Ishmat Ara, Sourav Zaman

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/jaeser.v6i3.5844

Abstract:

Green roofs are widely recognized for their multifaceted benefits to the environment, economy, and society, constituting the fundamental pillars of sustainability. These roofs contribute to the enhancement of bio-physical diversity, provision of food resources, regulation of temperature and rainfall-runoff patterns, creation of wildlife habitats, and augmentation of aesthetic and recreational value. While Bangladesh, with its favourable climatic conditions and rapid urbanization, possesses immense potential for harnessing the advantages of green roofs, their adoption remains limited in both research and practical applications within the country. Addressing this research gap, the present study aims to investigate the barriers impeding the implementation of green roofs in existing or new multi-family apartment buildings, focusing specifically on the city of Khulna. Through a combination of case studies and a comprehensive questionnaire survey administered to diverse stakeholders including apartment dwellers/owners, architects, developers, and government officials with varying levels of expertise, this research sheds light on the obstacles hindering Green Roof Implementation (GRI). The identified barriers encompass a lack of governmental policies, inadequate technological advancements, inaccurate estimation of economic benefits, and individual resistance. In light of the perspectives of various GRI stakeholders, strategic proposals encompassing policy, technical, economic, and social dimensions are presented to surmount these barriers. The outcomes of this study contribute to the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the impediments to GRI implementation, thereby inspiring further research endeavours and enabling decision-makers to formulate robust policies facilitating the widespread adoption of green roofs.

References:

[1] Ascione, F., Bianco, N., de’Rossi, F., et al., 2013. Green roofs in European climates. Are effective solutions for the energy savings in air-conditioning? Applied Energy. 104, 845-859. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.11.068 [2] He, B.J., Wang, J., Liu, H., et al., 2021. Localized synergies between heat waves and urban heat islands: Implications on human thermal comfort and urban heat management. Environmental Research. 193, 110584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110584 [3] He, B.J., Zhao, D.X., Zhu, J., et al., 2018. Promoting and implementing urban sustainability in China: An integration of sustainable initiatives at different urban scales. Habitat International. 82, 83-93. [4] Straka, T.J., Marsinko, A.P., Childers, C.J., 2005. Individual characteristics affecting participation in urban and community forestry programs in South Carolina, US. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry. 31(3), 131. [5] He, B.J., Zhu, J., Zhao, D.X., et al., 2019. Co-benefits approach: Opportunities for implementing sponge city and urban heat island mitigation. Land Use Policy. 86, 147-157. [6] Rowe, D.B., 2011. Green roofs as a means of pollution abatement. Environmental Pollution. 159(8-9), 2100-2110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.10.029 [7] Greene, D.L., Wegener, M., 1997. Sustainable transport. Journal of Transport Geography. 5(3), 177-190. [8] Zhao, D.X., He, B.J., Johnson, C., et al., 2015. Social problems of green buildings: From the humanistic needs to social acceptance. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 51, 1594-1609. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.072 [9] Shafique, M., Azam, A., Rafiq, M., et al., 2020. An overview of life cycle assessment of green roofs. Journal of Cleaner Production. 250, 119471. [10] Afroz, D., Zaman, S., Ahmed, N.N. (editors), 2022. Vertical gardening: An easy and affordable module for domestic installation in the context of Khulna City. ZEMCH 2021 International Conference; 2021 Oct 26-28; Dubai, UAE. [11] Kreft, S., Eckstein, D., Melchior, I., 2017. Global Climate Risk Index 2017 [Internet]. Available from: https://germanwatch.org/sites/default/files/publication/16411.pdf [12] Dunnett, N., Kingsbury, N., 2002. Planting green roofs and living walls. Timber Press: Portland. [13] Hitchmough, J., Field house, K., 2000. Plant user handbook. Blackwell Science: Hoboken. [14] Mowla, Q.A. (editor), 2005. Ecological imperatives for sustainable environment. International Conference on Geography and Environment—Issues and Challenges; 2005 Dec 9-11; Dhaka, Bangladesh. [15] Islam, K.T., Afroz, R., 2019. Impact of Green Roof on Urban Canopy Layer Microclimates in a Planned Residential Area of Dhaka, Bangladesh [Internet]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303402690 [16] Rashid, R., 2012. Thermal performance of green roof at Dhaka city in Bangladesh [Ph.D. thesis]. Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. [17] Jim, C.Y., 2017. Green roof evolution through exemplars: Germinal prototypes to modern variants. Sustainable Cities and Society. 35, 69-82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.08.001 [18] Li, W.C., Yeung, K.K.A., 2014. A comprehensive study of green roof performance from environmental perspective. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment. 3(1), 127-134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2014.05.001 [19] Gagliano, A., Detommaso, M., Nocera, F., et al., 2016. The adoption of green roofs for the retrofitting of existing buildings in the Mediterranean climate. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development. 7(2), 116-129. [20] Lehmann, S., 2014. Low carbon districts: Mitigating the urban heat island with green roof infrastructure. City, Culture and Society. 5(1), 1-8. [21] Deng, Y., Wu, J., 2014. Economic returns to residential green building investment: The developers’ perspective. Regional Science and Urban Economics. 47, 35-44. [22] Saadatian, O., Sopian, K., Salleh, E., et al., 2013. A review of energy aspects of green roofs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 23, 155-168. [23] Hossain, M.A., Shams, S., Amin, M., et al., 2019. Perception and barriers to implementation of intensive and extensive green roofs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Buildings. 9(4), 79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings9040079 [24] Alide, E., 2017. The Gen of Green Roofs [Internet]. Available from: https://www.buildmagazine.org.nz/index.php/articles/show/the-gen-on-green-roofs [25] Bianchini, F., Hewage, K., 2012. Probabilistic social cost-benefit analysis for green roofs: A lifecycle approach. Building and Environment. 58, 152-162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.07.005 [26] Zhang, X., Shen, L., Tam, V.W., et al., 2012. Barriers to implement extensive green roof systems: A Hong Kong study. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(1), 314-319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.157 [27] Ntoulas, N., Nektarios, P.A., Spaneas, K., et al., 2012. Semi-extensive green roof substrate type and depth effects on Zoysia matrella ‘Zeon’ growth and drought tolerance under different irrigation regimes. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B-Soil & Plant Science. 62(sup1), 165-173. [28] Fernandez-Cañero, R., Emilsson, T., Fernandez-Barba, C., et al., 2013. Green roof systems: A study of public attitudes and preferences in southern Spain. Journal of Environmental Management. 128, 106-115. [29] Vijayaraghavan, K., 2016. Green roofs: A critical review on the role of components, benefits, limitations and trends. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 57, 740-752. [30] Xiao, M., Lin, Y., Han, J., et al., 2014. A review of green roof research and development in China. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 40, 633-648. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.147 [31] Williams, N.S., Rayner, J.P., Raynor, K.J., 2010. Green roofs for a wide brown land: Opportunities and barriers for rooftop greening in Australia. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 9(3), 245-251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2010.01.005 [32] Dabaieh, M., Alwall, J., 2018. Building now and building back. Refugees at the centre of an occupant driven design and construction process. Sustainable Cities and Society. 37, 619-627. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.11.002 [33] Gnecco, I., Berretta, C., Lanza, L.G., et al., 2005. Storm water pollution in the urban environment of Genoa, Italy. Atmospheric Research. 77(1-4), 60-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2004.10.017 [34] Göbel, P., Dierkes, C., Coldewey, W.G., 2007. Storm water runoff concentration matrix for urban areas. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 91(1-2), 26-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2006.08.008 [35] Schriewer, A., Horn, H., Helmreich, B., 2008. Time focused measurements of roof runoff quality. Corrosion Science. 50(2), 384-391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2007.08.011 [36] Carter, T., Keeler, A., 2008. Life-cycle cost-benefit analysis of extensive vegetated roof systems. Journal of Environmental Management. 87(3), 350-363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.01.024 [37] Nurmi, V., Votsis, A., Perrels, A., et al., 2013. Cost-benefit Analysis of Green Roofs in Urban Areas: Case Study in Helsinki [Internet]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/40150 [38] Clark, C., Adriaens, P., Talbot, F.B., 2008. Green roof valuation: A probabilistic economic analysis of environmental benefits. Environmental Science & Technology. 42(6), 2155-2161. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es0706652 [39] Niu, H., Clark, C., Zhou, J., et al., 2010. Scaling of economic benefits from green roof implementation in Washington, DC. Environmental Science & Technology. 44(11), 4302-4308. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es902456x [40] Wong, N.H., Tay, S.F., Wong, R., et al., 2003. Life cycle cost analysis of rooftop gardens in Singapore. Building and Environment. 38(3), 499-509. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323(02)00131-2 [41] Peri, G., Traverso, M., Finkbeiner, M., et al., 2012. The cost of green roofs disposal in a life cycle perspective: Covering the gap. Energy. 48(1), 406-414. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.02.045 [42] Labuschagne, P., Zulch, B., 2016. Green rooftop systems: A South African perspective. Energy Procedia. 96, 710-716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2016.09.131 [43] Hendricks, J.S., Calkins, M., 2006. The adoption of an innovation: Barriers to use of green roofs experienced by Midwest architects and building owners. Journal of Green Building. 1(3), 148-168. [44] Shafique, M., Kim, R., Rafiq, M., 2018. Green roof benefits, opportunities and challenges—A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 90, 757-773. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.006 [45] Zhang, L., Fukuda, H., Liu, Z., 2019. Households’ willingness to pay for green roof for mitigating heat island effects in Beijing (China). Building and Environment. 150, 13-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.12.048 [46] Good, N., Ellis, K.A., Mancarella, P., 2017. Review and classification of barriers and enablers of demand response in the smart grid. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 72, 57-72.