This project aims to evaluate the impact of urban rooftop green spaces on biodiversity, air quality, and building energy use. Although not a novel concept, real life impacts of green roofs in Qatar on these sustainability markers, and on urban heat, is understudied. This pilot project aims to fill these knowledge gaps and to gather evidence and quantifiable benefits to help make policy recommendations regarding urban greening for Qatar and other hot/arid regions. Such projects and urban green spaces are an integral part of the solution to combat desertification, loss of biodiversity, and adaption to climate change. Results so far show that the Green Roof had a noticeable positive impact on biodiversity (plants, insects, birds, reptiles, etc.). Impacts on weather and air quality are less pronounced and are being further studied. Some areas of the roof are also being updated with plants from the Quranic Botanical Garden.
Expected outcomes:
The insights from this test-bed are expected to inform evidence-based policymaking for urban green spaces.
