ABSTRACT
Green roof infrastructure is gaining popularity all over the world considering its many benefits and advantages. Green roofs can play an important role in cooling buildings and cities. They may assist in the adaptation to climate changes and ameliorate the urban heat island effect. In order to quantify these benefits, it is essential to conduct experimental and modeling studies. The objective of this paper is to evaluate effects of green roofs on reduction of the excess heat in three urban areas with different climate conditions; Prague, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney, based on the evidence of occurrence of the heat islands. The effect is examined at a precinct scale, 600 m × 600 m. Modeling in ENVI-met testes three scenarios; conventional roof, extensive green roof, and intensive green roof. The results of this research show that the implementation of vegetated roofs is an effective strategy in tackling excess heat by reducing the air temperature by almost one degree Celsius.
