Potential Benefits of Application of Green Roofs on Buildings of Communist Period: Tirana Case Study

This research proposes the application of green roofs to the flat terraces of residential buildings, commercial buildings, and public-owned buildings in the city of Tirana. Green roofs have proven that they can offer ecological, innovative, and sustainable solutions. Application of green roofs provides multiple such as reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere and on-site, management of rainwater runoff, reduction of noise pollution, addition of green areas, and reduction of urban heat air islands and brings a positive contribution to urban agriculture, recreation, flora, and fauna. Green roofs demand higher installation cost rather than conventional ones, but they prove to be more cost-effective and economical in the long run. As a case study, two buildings of the communist period built in one of the most urbanized areas of Tirana have been selected. The study examines the type of construction and the capacities that these buildings have to support different types of green roofs. Green roofs are classified according to the density of vegetation, applied technological solutions, and components used in construction. The long-term benefits of each roof type are compared with the cost of application, and based on the analysis, the most appropriate one is selected.