Green roofs: Experimental and analytical study of its potential for urban microclimate regulation in Mediterranean-continental climates

Green infrastructure elements such as green roofs, walls and urban forests provide multiple regulating ecosystem services to the urban environment, including storm water management, heat island effect control, esthetic values and improvement of air and water quality. However, specific regulating services on urban microclimate at street level have not been widely quantified. This article analyzes the effects of green roofs and urban forests on urban microclimate, quantifying its potential for regulating ambient temperature in hot season in Mediterranean-continental climates. The results show a moderate effect of green roofs on the surrounding microclimate, but a larger contribution when combining it with vegetation at pedestrian level. This experimental study has identified the potential of the ground moisture content for microclimate regulation leading to alternative solutions for microclimate regulation based on permeable materials used for ground coverage in urban cores in combination with shading elements. The conclusion shows the potential of the green roofs, urban forests and porous-moist materials as a strategy for adapting urban ecosystems to the effects of climate change.