Last updated: October 2021
The University of Sheffield has embraced green roof technology for its benefits to the built environment, and to support Sheffield City Council vision of Sheffield as the UK’s green roof capital. Most buildings the University feature intentionally vegetated green roofs and some existing buildings with suitable structures have been retrofitted with green roofs (ref 1). The first instrumented test plot for the green roof was installed on the Mappin Building roof. In 2009, Jessop West building and the Robert Hadfield – Green Roof Centre Demonstration Site are studied for replicating the model (ref 4).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
Focus
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Project objectives
The main objective of establishing the green roof was to quantify and develop models to predict the runoff arising from green roofs in response to a range of design and routine rainfall events. The ultimate goal is to develop a generic modelling tool, which predicts runoff directly from rainfall inputs and selected key physical configuration parameters. This research has used a range of instrumented test plots, full-scale roofs and laboratory experiments (ref 4).
Implementation activities
The two green roofs are under study by researchers and students at the University of Sheffield and an online monitoring tool is in place, which is publicly accessible data. (ref 4)
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
University of Sheffield has embraced green roof technology for its benefits to the built environment (ref 1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(The project obtained European funding [Objective 1, Measures 33 (sustainable building)] to establish local demonstration green roofs and the first UK-based green roof research centre (REF 2))
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The Green Roof Centre responsible for the intervention operates with partners nationally to demonstrate the potential of green roof uptake in the UK which is the UK green roof code )
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Supports Sheffield City Council vision of Sheffield as the UK’s green roof capital (reference 1))
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Reduced emissions
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
Type of reported impacts
Expected 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
Source link. 2012. The Green Roof Centre | Landscape | The University Of Sheffield. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 August 2020].
2. Stovin, V. (2010). The potential of green roofs to manage Urban Stormwater. Water & Environment Journal, 24, 3, pp. 192-199.
3. Source link. 2013. Sheffield University Humanities Building - Source link. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 August 2020].
4. Source link. 2016. Green Roof Research At The University Of Sheffield. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 August 2020].
2. Stovin, V. (2010). The potential of green roofs to manage Urban Stormwater. Water & Environment Journal, 24, 3, pp. 192-199.
3. Source link. 2013. Sheffield University Humanities Building - Source link. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 August 2020].
4. Source link. 2016. Green Roof Research At The University Of Sheffield. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 August 2020].