„Nature-based Solutions leverage nature and the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimise infrastructure and safeguard a stable and biodiverse future.“ – says the IUCN.
Heat waves, heavy rainfall, biodiversity loss – climate change is affecting the Global North with an unexpected intensity. Especially urban areas appear to be particularly exposed. Mitigation of and adaptation to these effects is required. Green infrastructure on buildings appears to be an easily implementable and esthetically attractive measure with various benefits.
Green roofs and Green Walls are nature-based solutions (NBS), adding more natural features and processes into cities, towns and on buildings, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions.
There are many good reasons for greening up buildings and infrastructure. Over 30 years of research in Europe have shown, that buildings perform better with green on top, outside and inside. The positive effects are also measurable on city quarter level.
On the technological application level we distinguish between extensive and intensive greenery and specialized applications such as biosolarroofs or shading climber curtains.
Nature on buildings provides habitats for birds and pollinators- being surrounded by green is as well good for people:
Low-weight, low cost, low maintenance solution. Low substrate debth. Ideal for refurbishment and large scale areas. Succulent and herb mix vegetation. Can also get improved easily.
Designed to fulfill biodiversity targets. Carrys biodiversity elements such as sand, stone, hilly substrate, dead wood, water. Diverse vegetation. succulents, herbs, grasses, shrubs.
Everything is possible- garden, recreation, landscaping, playground, growing plants, traffic. Main vegetation shrubs and trees. Can be full coverage or partially (high beds, pots), on roof level or also on ground (above garage).
Combines extensive greenroofs with solar energy production or solarthermal. Panel spacing and technology diverse (single row, Butterfly, vertical).
Designed to fulfill biodiversity and energy targets. Carrys biodiversity elements and allows for extensive and semi-intensive vegetation. Panel spacing and technology varying.
Designed for Energy production, recreation and may include aaspects of farming. Allows for easy retrofit. Main target group Offices and residential buildings.
Self-climbers or trellis climbers, growing in substrate next to facade. Coverage takes time. Durable and rather low cost and maintenance. Can be used to retrofit buildings and provide shade.
Plantainers attached to facade. Vegetation range trees, climbers and shrubs. Can contain trellises. Facade must carry weight. Saves space at street level.
Back-ventilated systems. Can be combined with insulation. Available also pre-grown.Vegetation herbs and grass. Many different systems. Automatic irrigation. Coverage immediate.
Understanding that different technologies come along with different performance portfolios, choices must be made.
Vera starts consulting her clients with their different scale projects by assessing their service need. She looks at projects from 5 different aspects: innovation, strategy, knowledge, technology and performance/cost.
In case avalue can be generated for a client, Vera suggests cooperating with her Partners:
–GreenPass (R) project performance assessment and certification
–Gentian Biodiversity mapping and monitoring services
–GRÜNSTATTGRAU greening Check and partnership/innovation network
–vfi farming and production potentials
–BOKU IBLB for research and monitoring related activities
The new policy guidance explains the EPBD, EED, UWWTD and NRL in relation to Green Roofs and walls and provides detailed insights on this important infrastructure topic for future liveable cities and residential areas.
The Solar Green Roofs Resource Guide comprehensively describes the Planning, Installation and maintenance of Solar Green Roofs and Biosolar Roofs and provides detailed insights on this important technological development.
The Green Market Report Austria comprehensively describes the Austrian market developments of green buildings in recent years and provides a detailed insights on this important infrastructure topic for future liveable cities and residential areas.
Dipl. Ing. Vera Enzi-Zechner
Höch 11
8442 St. Andrä-Höch, AUSTRIA
Legal form: Single Entreprenneur
Business Licenses:
Consulting (GISA: 36673926),
Gardening and Horticulture (GISA: 36605385)
