HOW OUR CITIES CAN MAKE
SIGNIFICANT GAINS FROM
HARNESSING THE RAINS
According to the MET office, the UK’s In Amsterdam, research has found
climate is changing, bringing more Blue-Green roofs provide a viable,
warm spells and tropical nights. It scalable solution for UK cities.
also states rainfall has increased
during winter.
The Project Smartroof 2.0 research
analysed the hydrological, thermal
This could mean a complete rethink and biodiverse functioning of Blue-
in the materials we use and the Green roofs in the urban environment.
functionality of buildings. Solutions
must reduce rising temperatures in
cities – the urban heat island effect -
and effectively manage water.
The hypothesis from the Permavoid
experts was that plants in Blue-
Green roof systems have a higher
urban cooling capacity, can enable a
Blue-Green roof systems, which wider plant species selection due to
Sean Robinson, business develop- harness rainwater to sustain plant improved water availability, as well as
ment director, Water Management life, can lower temperatures during reduce the precipitation lost to sewer
Solutions, Polypipe summer. discharge.
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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 35 2019