The greening of buildings in South Africa : a case of green roofs

M.Sc. (Environmental Management)Abstract: Over the decades, urbanisation has led to the diminishing amount of urban green spaces in urban areas. Research has shown that the lack of green spaces in urban areas has a negative impact on biodiversity, the urban heat island (UHI) and the air quality. Green roofs have become a popular strategy to counter the impacts of urbanisation. A green roof is defined as the final layer of a roof being covered in vegetation. The three types of green roofs are extensive, semi-intensive and intensive which vary in soil depth and plants used. These green spaces have environmental, economic and social benefits. Green roofs have been adopted more in countries in the Global North compared to countries in the Global South. Green roofs in South Africa are an under-researched theme within the green building literature. The aim of the research is to assess the supply and demand of green roofs in commercial and eco-residential property types. The focus was on the metropolitan areas of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. The study has four objectives. First, to analyse the background, benefits and barriers of green roofs in the international context. Second, to critically assess the strengths and limitations of the current greening policies within the metropolitan areas and investigate how national environmental policies and municipal environmental policies apply. Third, to conduct a review on the companies that develop green roofs as well as the buildings that utilise green roofs within the study areas. Fourth, to conduct a socio-economic analysis on the companies or individuals that supply green roofs as well as the companies or individuals that utilise green roofs in the metropolitan areas. Semi-structured interviews with suppliers of green roofing materials as well as companies that utilise green roofs, have provided the basis for this analysis. Forty four companies were interviewed from various disciplines. South Africa has strong environmental policies and programmes, however, policies, programmes and incentives for green roofs are lacking. The results suggested that green roofs in South Africa are used for different reasons when compared to countries in the Global North