History Of Green Roofs In Germany

In the 1970s during the oil crisis west germany began exploring lightweight adaptations of sod roofs due to a growing concern for the environment and an interest in energy conservation.

History of green roofs in germany.

In the 1970s when the oil crisis was at its height germany was one of the first countries to investigate the use of green roofs for energy conservation and by the middle of the noughties there were an estimated 13 million square metres of roofing in the country covered with greenery. Modern green roof technology began in the early seventies in germany when the first green roof systems were developed and marketed on a large scale. In 1989 1 million square meters of roofs. Green roofs began to gain attention and popularity throughout europe.

By the 1980s german green roof markets had begun growing at a remarkable pace. Terraced green roofs like stairs were developed in the 1960s. He published his work on green roofs in germany and marked the beginning of increased further green technology research. Unlike former green roofs this first approach offered reliable technology that provided sophisticated irrigation and protection against root ingress for rooftop gardens.

Back to this century germany was first to recognize and begin officially studying the benefits of green roof technology. Since that time extensive green roofs have been lauded for their many benefits as cost effective solutions for urban. During the oil crisis of the 1970s west germany explored lightweight adaptations of sod roofs for the purpose of energy conservation. Reinhard bornkamm is a researcher at berlin s free university who is internationally known to be the father of modern green roofs.

Modern green roofs are made of a system of layers placed over the roof to support soil medium and vegetation.