The Alexandria Governorate is especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change, a vulnerability exacerbated by its dense coastal communities and rapidly growing population (2). Both demographic shifts and urban development intensify how climate phenomena affect the people and infrastructure of Alexandria (1). Buildings, roads, and other concrete structures absorb and release solar heat, significantly contributing to the urban heat island effect, which is causing temperatures in the city to rise faster than in less developed areas (1). Despite Alexandria’s growing need for cooling green spaces, they currently make up only 0.25 percent of the total area within the Governorate, highlighting an urgent need for environmental interventions (3-6). In response, Ahmed Gaber, chairman of the Alexandria Water Company, initiated a public awareness campaign in 2023 focused on the numerous benefits of planting green roofs (3-6). Green roofs serve multiple purposes: they extend the longevity of buildings, lower energy consumption, improve air quality, increase biodiversity, manage rainwater runoff, and mitigate the urban heat island effect (3). Furthermore, Gaber has emphasized the visual appeal of eco-friendly roofs, noting that green roofs offer an aesthetically pleasing option that enhances the urban landscape while serving critical environmental functions (4). This initiative by the Alexandria Water Company marks a pioneering step among governmental organizations in the region, as they lead efforts to address climate and environmental challenges actively. The company has begun planting green roofs across its facilities, including the new Al-Mashishya water station, where green spaces atop buildings are set to bring lasting environmental benefits to Alexandria. Through these efforts, the Alexandria Water Company is working to set an example for public and private sectors alike (3-6).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Urban flooding (stormwater)
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Air pollution
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Rapid urbanization
Key priorities
Focus
Project objectives
Implementation activities
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
- Implement green walls or roofs to lower indoor temperature and provide insulation
- Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Private sector/Corporate/Company
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Public sector institution
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Project implemented in response to ...
Type of enablers
Financing
Total cost
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Expected energy efficiency improvements
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Expected improved air quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Increased protection against flooding
- Expected increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Expected improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Expected increased green space area
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
References
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.