Internationale Partnersuche

Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Green Roof inventory, mapping and potential analysis

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20170626001
Publication Date: 26 June 2017

Summary

A German association and an SME specialized in IT geoinformation systems have developed a remote sensing tool using airborne optical imagery to estimate the percentage of vegetated areas on building roofs. It can also be used to identify potential or most suitable Green Roof sites. It is supportive to green urban planning policies to optimize the usage of green roofs. Urban planners, municipalities and service providers are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance.

Description

Green Roofs, also known as “vegetated roofs” or “living roofs”, can help to adapt cities for climate change, through the provision of cooler microclimates and reduced stormwater run-off. To a certain extent they can compensate for lost green areas at ground level and enhance biodiversity in urban ecosystems.



In order to evaluate these positive effects in a quantitative way, information about the already existing Green Roofs and potential Green Roof sites is needed. However, not many municipalities have detailed information about the number of Green Roofs on urban rooftops, their location and potential Green Roof sites on already existing buildings. It is therefore not surprising that Green Roofs are often mentioned in environmental reports as important measure for climate change adaptation but do not enter into urban climate modelling due to the lack of reliable data. This knowledge deficit provided the background for the development of a new remote sensing method for the identification of Green Roofs and potential Green Roof sites. 



A German association in cooperation with an SME specialized in IT geoinformation systems, remote sensing data and IT development and a research institution have developed a method with which already existing Green Roofs and potential roof areas can be identified and inventoried from a “birds-eye view”. The database can make a valuable contribution to the application of Green Roofs in sustainable urban planning. The software has the potential to be used on an international scale if the necessary input data are available.



The Green Roof detection tool uses high resolution satellite or airborne optical imagery (visible and infrared), Digital Surface Models and existing building outlines maps (footprints), to estimate the percentage of vegetated areas on building roofs. In addition to the Green Roof detection tool the remote sensing technology can also identify potential Green Roof sites by combining Digital Surface Models with mapped building outlines. Flat roofs are most suitable to be converted into Green Roofs. A second criterion is the presence of gravel layers. Buildings with gravel roofs have a higher load bearing capacity. On most of these roofs, once the gravel has been removed, extensive Green Roof system build-ups can be installed without increasing the assumed load.



The new remote sensing technology for the identification of already existing Green Roofs and potential Green Roof sites provides municipalities with the opportunity to use this data for sustainable urban planning decisions in the field of urban climate modelling, drainage system calculation and biodiversity networks. 

Furthermore, this technology is carried out automatically – which is a great asset with respect to current approaches based on photointerpretation or even in situ surveys by experts – once provided with new suitable imagery, it allows easy and straightforward updates.



Partners are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance. These can include administrative institutions, city planners with a focus on sustainable and green solutions or service providers.

Advantages and Innovations

- Cost efficiency, automated and precise mapping process

- Reliable data basis for decision-making in sustainable urban planning

- Allows for identification of most suitable areas for green roofs and a concentration of public funding in the given areas 

- Enables a structured approach towards the fostering of green roofs and an adaption of cities to climate change

- Easy handling and updates

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

Partners from public administrations, green and sustainable urban planning and service providers are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance. Task to be performed is the integration of the technology into existing monitoring systems. Necessary knowhow for the setup of the system will be provided by the German company.