Green roofs in the public eye : perceptions, benefits, and willingness to implement

Abstract

The possibilities, advantages, and public opinion of green roofs in Malta are examined in this study, with a focus on how they may help with urban and environmental issues in the Mediterranean region. Green roofs, sometimes referred to as living roofs, are rooftop plant systems that provide benefits for the environment, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. The study explores their potential to improve air quality, manage stormwater, boost biodiversity, and lessen the urban heat island effect. The study also emphasizes their potential for energy savings, especially given Malta's environment, where old limestone structures with inadequate insulation increase reliance on air conditioning during the sweltering summer months. An important project that investigated indigenous plant species, regional substrate mixtures, and irrigation techniques on demonstration sites in Malta and Italy was the LifeMed Green Roof Project, which ran from 2013 to 2017. The results showed that green roofs are viable in semi-arid climates since they significantly reduced rooftop temperatures and energy consumption while also retaining a significant amount of precipitation. Alongside this study, a survey found that people are generally interested in green roofs and that many would install them if given the right incentives, structural guarantees, and resources. Cost, structural restrictions, maintenance issues, and a lack of understanding are still obstacles, though. To speed up acceptance, the study finds that quality assurance systems, public education campaigns, and governmental incentives are necessary. The overwhelming majority of participants indicated that they were prepared for a cultural change toward sustainable urban development and that they would want to see greater government support and information campaigns. In the end, this study demonstrates that green roofs may be a crucial component of Malta's environmental resilience and urban livability with the correct institutional support and technical modifications, converting rooftops into useful, environmentally friendly infrastructure with lasting societal value.