Green roofs implementation in three different cities: Nairobi, Turin and Istanbul

Green roofs are becoming a common phenomenon when it comes to sustainable architecture. The increased urbanization and industrialization of cities has led to the eradication of plenty of urban green spaces on ground which influences pollution and climate change making the cities less breathable. Many countries around the world have mandated the adoption and implementation of green roofs on newly constructed buildings because of the multiple benefits and ecosystem services they provide, in an attempt to reduce the impact of human activities and climate change. This dissertation talks about the evolution of green roofs, the benefits of green roofs which include mitigating urban heat island effects, reduction of pollution, energy saving, increased biodiversity among others. It also analyses the challenges, the main one being the high cost of construction and maintenance. However, the advantages of green roofs outweigh the cons. This shows the importance of implementation of green roofs in cities around the world. Moreover, this research focuses on the in depth analysis of green roofs implementation in three different cities across the globe namely, Nairobi, Turin and Istanbul. The analysis and discussions provide a deeper look into the similarities and differences in the urbanization trend and its effects, the social perception of green roofs, the use of green roofs in the cities, climatic conditions, type of construction, architectural conditions and green roof regulations or policies. A specific case study for each city is studied to give a better understanding of the advantages and challenges of constructing a green roof. Additionally, this research includes innovative trends and recommendations for the implementation and better performance of green roofs.