Green and blue roofs, along with vegetated facades can mitigate urban heat island effects and enhance resilience to climate events, as they integrate vegetation layers that provide cooling through evapotranspiration and shade, reducing ambient and building temperatures.
Blue roofs incorporate water retention systems to manage stormwater, effectively mitigating risks from intense rainfall and cloudbursts.
In Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanization, high humidity, and frequent extreme weather events amplify vulnerability to climate impacts, they can support urban farming, enhance biodiversity by attracting pollinators, and host solar panels to optimize energy generation, all while providing recreational spaces for urban dwellers.
These hybrid NbS can also incorporate smart technologies for dynamic water storage management, helping cities to address seasonal flooding. Socially and economically, green and blue roofs can improve urban liveability by creating aesthetic landscapes, reducing energy costs for cooling, and supporting local economies through urban agriculture or green jobs.
Integrating native, drought-tolerant, and water-absorbent plant species that enhance functionality and reduce maintenance needs, green roofs foster climate resilience by promoting sustainable urban ecosystems and increasing community adaptation capacity.
