Evaluation of Green Roof Technology in Developing Countries

Rapid urbanization coupled with the population rise increases CO2 emissions and upsurges air pollution, which is highly harmful to human health and the continuity of the main kind. In developing countries, cities have poor green infrastructure leading to exaggerating heat island heat and lacking social green areas within urban centers; for example, 0.3 m2 of green space per person was estimated in 2009 in Cairo, Egypt (Attia and Amer in Green roofs in Cairo: a holistic approach for healthy productive cities, 2009 [1]). Even the few existing parks are not within walking distance from all citizens. On the other hand, most residential buildings are flat-roofed unused, or used as storage areas. It has excellent potential for being used as a shared social space. This study evaluates the possibility of implementing green roof technology as a climate change adaptation solution in developing counties, taking Egypt as a case study. Its methodology is mainly based on a comprehensive literature review and statistical data evaluation. By reviewing the potential market size for the green roof technology within the construction ecosystem and the capabilities of its implementation within existing and future buildings, the research presents a comparative analysis between green roof types and Egyptian building conditions considering the building use, structure, and social and economic standards of its users. An estimated 183–246 million m2 of green roof area can be implemented in Egypt. Up to 462 thousand kg of carbon dioxide can be eliminated from the atmosphere annually, and a minimum of 5.2 million kW can be saved monthly.