Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 13

Geosynthetics in
green roofs
The role of geosynthetics in effective, safe and
reliable installation of green rooftops.
By Asenet Lozano
T
o talk about geosynthetics on green rooftops is to talk about an opportunity to
change and make an environmental improvement in the world. The growing
need to create awareness of an ecological responsibility and the environment has
allowed this concept to spread more successfully.
The hanging gardens of Babylon, built in the late eleventh-century B.C., are
considered the first that existed. Since then, this trend has grown for the better.
The first green rooftop was developed in 1960 in Germany. Then it spread to other
European countries and eventually the whole world.
But what are green rooftops?
We are talking about natural vegetated gardens located on the roofs of houses
or buildings, which aim at sustainable urban development. They can also create
spaces for recreation and leisure that contribute to improving the life quality and
environment of those who can enjoy their benefits.
There are three types of green roof covers: extensive, semi-intensive and intensive.
They can be differentiated by the amount of vegetation used (thickness of
substrate density and size of vegetation). An extensive green roof can support up
to 25 pounds per square foot (122 kg/m2); an intensive green roof can hold up to
150 pounds per square foot (732 kg/m2).
The type of maintenance can be another factor in differentiating green rooftops.
An intensive roof takes much more work in terms of managing the different types
of plants separately and maintaining them. On the other hand, an extensive green
roof is allowed to grow naturally without restrictions.
The intensive green roof allows you to choose the vegetation, taking into account
style and aesthetics. An extensive green roof is designed to be maintained only once
a year, with slightly more " wild " vegetation.
Green roofs provide several environmental benefits:
* Air quality: 11 square feet (1 m2) of vegetation cover generates the oxygen
required by a person throughout the year. Vegetation, both on a green roof and
on any other surface, produces oxygen and consumes carbon dioxide through
photosynthesis, which improves the air quality we breathe.
Architect Asenet Lozano works
at Azoteas Verdes in projects and
design. She has also participated
in the design and architectural
projection of governmental and
hospital projects. She likes to
discover and learn new ways in
which green architecture can
help humanity.
All figures courtesy of the author.
GeosyntheticsMagazine.com
13

http://www.GeosyntheticsMagazine.com

Geosynthetics August/September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics August/September 2022

Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - Cover1
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - Cover2
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 1
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 2
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 3
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 4
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 5
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 6
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Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 12
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 13
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Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - Cover3
Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - Cover4
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