Case Study of the Day: Green Roofs in Basel

Basel is a city in north-western Switzerland with a population of about 170,000 people. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is known as the heat island effect.

Green Roofs in Basel

In 2006, the city of Basel conducted a survey of its green roofs. The survey found that there were 1,711 extensive green roofs and 218 intensive green roofs in the city. This represented a total of 23% of the city’s flat roof area.

Since then, the number of green roofs in Basel has continued to grow. In 2023, the city estimates that about 40% of its flat roof area is covered by green roofs.

The benefits of Green Roofs in Basel

The green roofs in Basel have a number of benefits for the city. These benefits include:

• Reduced heat island effect: The green roofs help to reduce the heat island effect by cooling the roof and the air around it. This can lead to lower energy consumption for cooling and improved air quality.
• Improved air quality: The green roofs help to improve air quality by absorbing pollutants. This is particularly beneficial in a city like Basel, which is located in a highly industrialized region.
• Reduced noise pollution: The green roofs help to reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound waves. This can make the city a more pleasant place to live and work.
• Conserved water: The green roofs help to conserve water by reducing stormwater runoff. This is important in a city like Basel, which is located in a region with limited water resources.
• Increased biodiversity: The green roofs provide habitat for wildlife, such as birds, insects, and small mammals. This helps to improve the overall health of the city’s ecosystem.

Green roofs are a valuable tool for mitigating and adapting to climate change. They have a number of benefits for cities, including reduced heat island effect, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, conserved water, increased biodiversity, and improved aesthetics. Basel is a city that has been at the forefront of green roof adoption, and its experience shows that green roofs can be a successful way to make cities more liveable and sustainable.

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