Assessing the Impact of Urban Green Roofs on Microclimate Regulation and Thermal Comfort in a Rapidly Urbanizing City: A GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

Project Abstract

This study investigates how urban green roofs contribute to microclimate regulation and thermal comfort in a rapidly urbanizing city, employing a GIS and remote sensing approach to quantify cooling effects, humidity modulation, and biophysical interactions with built surfaces. The research integrates high-resolution thermal infrared imagery, multispectral satellite data, and comprehensive rooftop inventory data to develop spatially explicit models of radiative fluxes, surface temperatures, and albedo shifts arising from green roof installations. By combining land surface temperature (LST) patterns with roof typologies, vegetation indices, and building density metrics, the study analyzes seasonal and diurnal variability in microclimatic responses across different urban morphologies, including high-density commercial cores and residential districts with varying roof heights and materials. A multi-criteria framework assesses thermal comfort implications for pedestrians and street-level microclimates, incorporating standard indices such as PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature) and UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) derived from modeled air temperatures, wind fields, humidity, and solar radiation. The methodology advances a robust GIS-based toolset for identifying hot spots, estimating cooling potentials per square meter of green roof area, and evaluating the effectiveness of different roof configurations (extensive vs. intensive, soil depth, irrigation regimes) under projected climate scenarios. Sensor validation through ground-based meteorological stations and mobile transects ensures accuracy in temperature and humidity retrievals, while socio-economic overlays examine accessibility and equity considerations for heat exposure across neighborhoods. The research also investigates policy-relevant aspects by simulating urban heat island (UHI) attenuation linked to green roof proliferation under varying urban growth trajectories and retrofit rates. Key findings reveal that green roofs contribute to measurable reductions in surface and near-surface temperatures during peak heat periods, with pronounced cooling in areas exhibiting high solar exposure and limited wind penetration. The magnitude of thermal relief correlates with vegetation cover, substrate depth, irrigation, and roof-to-wall interaction, highlighting trade-offs between maintenance requirements and cooling efficiency. Indirect benefits include improved urban humidity moderation, enhanced air quality proxies via potential interactions with pollutant deposition, and augmented energy savings through reduced cooling demand in adjacent interiors. The study discusses constraints such as data resolution limitations, heterogeneity in roof access and adoption rates, maintenance costs, and the need for standardized performance metrics. Policy implications are articulated to guide urban planners in prioritizing retrofits, incentivizing green roof adoption, and integrating green infrastructure into resilience strategies. The research contributes a replicable GIS-remote sensing workflow, a calibrated dataset of green roof performance across the study area, and a decision-support framework capable of evaluating climate-responsive urban design interventions for sustainable city development in the face of ongoing urbanization and climate variability.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A straightforward study of how green roofs in cities can influence the climate around buildings and how comfortable people feel outdoors and indoors. It looks at the role of plant-covered roofs in cooling, reducing heat buildup, and improving air conditions, using simple map-based tools and satellite imagery to compare areas with and without green roofs.

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The Problem It Addresses

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Many cities face rising temperatures and heat stress due to dense construction and limited open space. Green roofs are proposed as a practical solution, but we need clear evidence on how well they work in real urban settings and how much they improve comfort for residents.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Describe where green roofs are located in the city and how they differ from other rooftops.
2. Compare temperatures and comfort indicators between areas with and without green roofs.
3. Explain, in simple terms, how plants on roofs help cool buildings and surroundings.
4. Provide practical guidance for city planners and property owners on green roof benefits.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Gather basic city map data and examples of buildings with green roofs.

2. Use simple online tools or software to read satellite images and temperature indicators.

3. Create basic comparisons of microclimate between sites with and without green roofs.

4. Explain findings with clear visuals and plain language.

5. Discuss limits of the study and practical recommendations.

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Expected Outcome

Clear, easy-to-understand insights on whether green roofs help cool urban spaces and improve comfort, plus practical advice for implementing green roofs in similar cities.