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Extensive Green Roofs (EGRs) and the Five Ws: A Quantitative Analysis on the Origin and Evolution, Aims, Approaches, and Botanical Views

Author

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  • Amii Bellini

    (Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Flavia Bartoli

    (Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    Institute of Heritage Science (CNR-ISPC), National Research Council of Italy, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Montelibretti, Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Caneva

    (Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Università di Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Extensive Green Roofs (EGRs) are nature-based solutions that provide several environmental, health, social, and economic benefits. This review of about 1430 scientific papers, based on the five Ws, When , Where , Why , Who , and Which , aims to understand how interest in these important green infrastructures originated and developed, as well as the nature of such academic research. Special attention was paid to the way researchers approached plant selection. Furthermore, this review made a detailed quantitative evaluation of the growth in interest for such green infrastructures within the scientific literature, which began mainly in Europe around the middle of the last century before spreading to America and Asia, growing rapidly during recent decades. The main impulse behind the study of EGRs came from the fields of engineering and architecture, especially on the themes of thermal mitigation and runoff reduction. In decreasing order, we found the categories aimed at ecological and environmental issues, substrate, and pollution reduction. We also found little evidence of collaboration between different disciplines, with the result that botanical features generally receive little attention. Despite the ecological benefits of plants, not enough attention has been given to them in the literature, and their study and selection are often limited to Sedum species.

Suggested Citation

  • Amii Bellini & Flavia Bartoli & Giulia Caneva, 2024. "Extensive Green Roofs (EGRs) and the Five Ws: A Quantitative Analysis on the Origin and Evolution, Aims, Approaches, and Botanical Views," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:1033-:d:1326311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shafique, Muhammad & Kim, Reeho & Rafiq, Muhammad, 2018. "Green roof benefits, opportunities and challenges – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 757-773.
    2. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
    3. Smol, Marzena, 2022. "Is the green deal a global strategy? Revision of the green deal definitions, strategies and importance in post-COVID recovery plans in various regions of the world," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
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