Last updated: October 2021
This project was implemented on the rooftop of a ten-floor building with a floor space of 1.4 hectares, with the implementation of a green roof of 650m2. The motivation behind this was to study the thermodynamic impact of a green roof in hot Athens. Results concluded that the greenroof significantly affected the thermal performance of the building. Energy savings of 50% were observed for air conditioning on the floor directly below the installation. In addition to the energy-saving benefits, the study also found increased biodiversity in the area. A plethora of birds and beneficial insects were observed on the roof, ranging from robin redbreasts, yellowhammers, yellow tits, coal tits, and sparrows to kestrels hovering high above eyeing up the smaller birds. Other species such as honey bees, tiger swallowtail, monarch butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs were also seen (Ref 1). The study suggested in improved micro-climate and biodiversity of the constitution square (Ref 1, 6, 7).
The Green Roof of the Ministry of Economics and Finance
oikosteges.gr, retrieved 07/20/2018
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
o The main motivation for this installation was to provide a research roof to study the thermodynamic impact of a green roofs in hot Athens (Ref 1, 2).
o To install a lightweight greenroof that would be safely implemented in seismic region (Greece) (Ref 7).
o To study if biodiversity could be affected by rooftop garden (Ref 1, 2).
o To study the effect of greenroof on the local micro-climate (Ref 1).
Implementation activities
The project has been implemented in 2008. A shallow substrate depth of (<10 cm) has been used as the base for the roof top garden. The ten-floor building has a total floor space of 1.4 hectares. The oikostegi covers 650 m², equaling 52% of the roof space and 8% of the total floor space. As the weather condition is harsh in the summer, some plant species which are native to Greece has been planted on the base. Primarily, the plant selection was composed of indigenous Hellenic aromatic herbs. There are also a number of wild perennial flowers such as hypericum and phlomis and annuals such as poppies, grasses, and chamomile, all within a proprietary substrate from Oikosteges. A second stage study was done after 12 months. Between these two studies, more biomass was added to the base to increase the biodiversity of the garden. Shallow substrate depth, use of light weighted materials with high water storativity has been used to make the project a successful one (Ref 1).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Install vertical or horizontal artificial surfaces that help with carbon storage and cooling
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
Main beneficiaries
- National-level government
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The building was owned by the Ministry of Economics and Finance and the rooftop was restructured by OS Green Roofs (non-government). The project was an initiative by the Greek Ministry of Finance (Ref 1).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(o In 2014 Greece adopted its National Biodiversity Strategy, which officially refers to ecosystem services.
o National Operational Program “Environment – Sustainable Development 2007 – 2013”, which included a specific section on the “Protection of natural environment and biodiversity”. (Ref 2,4,5))
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Athens was selected as one of the cities in the 100 Resilient City Plan.The project was implemented with the aim of making the city more sustainable. (Ref 1))
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
- Enhanced support of pollination
Economic impacts
- Other
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. The Hellenic Treasury – Constitution (2018) Greenroofs. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
2. Green infrastructure in Greece (2018) Greenroofs. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
3. The International Centre for the Research and the Economy. URL: Source link
4. Athens’ Resilience Challenge. URL: Source link. Accessed on 6th July, 2017. Website not available in 2020. The 100 resilient cities project could be found in a different webpage available at Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
5. Gorman Will. (2017) Oikostegi- Greenroof in Greece. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
6. Clements Andrew (2017) The Nature of Cities. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
7. Clements Andrew (2017) Models are not prescriptions- Applying green roof technology in new places. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
2. Green infrastructure in Greece (2018) Greenroofs. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
3. The International Centre for the Research and the Economy. URL: Source link
4. Athens’ Resilience Challenge. URL: Source link. Accessed on 6th July, 2017. Website not available in 2020. The 100 resilient cities project could be found in a different webpage available at Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
5. Gorman Will. (2017) Oikostegi- Greenroof in Greece. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
6. Clements Andrew (2017) The Nature of Cities. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
7. Clements Andrew (2017) Models are not prescriptions- Applying green roof technology in new places. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
The Green Roof of the Ministry of Economics and Finance (2012)
oikosteges.gr, retrieved 07/20/2018
The Green Roof of the Ministry of Economics and Finance (2011)
oikosteges.gr, retrieved 07/20/2018