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Yfantidou, G.; Papaioannou, A.; Patsi, C.; Spyridopoulou, E.; Melegkou, M. Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/59377 (accessed on 14 January 2026).
Yfantidou G, Papaioannou A, Patsi C, Spyridopoulou E, Melegkou M. Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/59377. Accessed January 14, 2026.
Yfantidou, Georgia, Alkistis Papaioannou, Charikleia Patsi, Eleni Spyridopoulou, Michaela Melegkou. "Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/59377 (accessed January 14, 2026).
Yfantidou, G., Papaioannou, A., Patsi, C., Spyridopoulou, E., & Melegkou, M. (2025, December 26). Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/59377
Yfantidou, Georgia, et al. "Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing." Encyclopedia. Web. 26 December, 2025.
Peer Reviewed
Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing
This is a peer-reviewed entry published in Encyclopedia Journal, full entry can be found at 10.3390/encyclopedia6010007

Green roofs have emerged as a key nature-based solution for improving environmental quality, strengthening urban resilience, and enhancing human wellbeing. In the hospitality sector—where sustainable design and guest experience increasingly intersect—the incorporation of green roof gardens is particularly significant. Urban hotels face heightened challenges related to elevated temperatures, reduced green space, and the growing need for restorative environments within dense urban settings. This study aims to examine how green roof gardens function as integrated ecological, social, and psychological infrastructures in hotel environments. It evaluates the extent to which rooftop green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability, enhance guest experience, and foster community connections. The research adopts a qualitative design combining a comprehensive literature review conducted at selected five-star hotels in Greece. Data from secondary sources and field-based assessments were thematically analyzed to identify recurring patterns in environmental performance, social use, and psychological benefits. Findings indicate that hotel green roof gardens act as multifunctional systems that deliver significant ecological benefits—such as improved microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and biodiversity support—while simultaneously enriching social interaction and guest experience through accessible, esthetically appealing spaces. Observations further highlight their contribution to psychological wellbeing by offering restorative environments characterized by greenery, natural light, and panoramic views. The study concludes that green roof gardens represent an effective design strategy that integrates sustainability, hospitality experience, and urban wellbeing. Their application in hotels provides both conceptual insight and practical guidance for the development of more resilient, livable, and guest-centered urban environments. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating green roofs into contemporary tourism and urban planning practices.

green roofs urban areas recreation urban agriculture sustainability hotels roof gardens
In modern times, most of the population in the world lives in urban environments. A modern urban lifestyle has separated individuals from the natural world. The modification of landscapes, along with rapid growth in urban areas and other human activities, has resulted in many negative environmental impacts. These include global warming, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, intensification of the urban heat island effect, enhanced noise levels, and a reduction in biodiversity [1][2][3][4]. Urban nature is becoming increasingly significant for individuals’ mental wellbeing [5][6], as various studies evidence social and psychological benefits of reduced stress, improved attention capabilities, and increased vitality [7]. Therefore, the design of urban green roofs is increasingly shaped by goals that seek to promote the social and psychological wellbeing of urban inhabitants [8].
Green roofs—variously termed living roofs, ecological roofs, rooftop gardens, roof gardens, or cool roofs—are engineered roof assemblies that support vegetation above a waterproofed structure [9][10][11]. Their core layered build-up typically includes vegetation, growth substrate, a filter layer, drainage layer, thermal insulation, root barrier, and waterproofing membranes [12]. Each layer contributes to performance and longevity; suboptimal specification or installation can lead to costly failures over the service life [13][14]. The range of design expressions on roofs is limited more by the interdisciplinary design team’s imagination than by typology—provided that the technical constraints of roofing assemblies are respected.
Green roofs are commonly distinguished as extensive (shallow substrate, lower loads, and low-maintenance planting) and intensive (deeper soils, diverse planting palettes, higher loads, and amenity use). Systems may be multi-layer—with discrete filter and drainage strata—or monolithic/single-layer with integrated functions [15]. Multi-layer systems generally demand higher upfront cost but offer superior energy performance and hydrologic control; single-layer systems are more commonly employed in cooler, maritime climates (e.g., parts of Northern Europe). For hospitality settings, intensive or semi-intensive assemblies are often favored to provide accessible guest amenities without compromising building envelope integrity.

References

  1. Liu, H.; Kong, F.; Yin, H.; Middel, A.; Zheng, X.; Huang, J.; Xu, H.; Wang, D.; Wen, Z. Impacts of green roofs on water, temperature, and air quality: A bibliometric review. Build. Environ. 2021, 196, 107794.
  2. Cook, L.M.; Larsen, T.A. Towards a performance-based approach for multifunctional green roofs: An interdisciplinary review. Build. Environ. 2021, 188, 107489.
  3. Mihalakakou, G.; Souliotis, M.; Papadaki, M.; Menounou, P.; Dimopoulos, P.; Kolokotsa, D.; Papaefthimiou, S. Green roofs as a nature-based solution for improving urban sustainability: Progress and perspectives. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2023, 180, 113306.
  4. Mazzeo, D.; Matera, N.; Peri, G.; Scaccianoce, G. Forecasting green roofs’ potential in improving building thermal performance and mitigating urban heat island in the Mediterranean area: An artificial intelligence-based approach. Appl. Therm. Eng. 2023, 222, 119879.
  5. Mesimaki, M.; Hauru, K.; Lehvarita, S. Do small green roofs have the possibility to offer recreational and experiential benefits in a dense urban area? A case study in Helsinki, Finland. Urban For. Urban Green. 2019, 40, 114–124.
  6. Lee, K.E.; Williams, K.J.; Sargent, L.D.; Williams, N.S.; Johnson, K.A. 40-second green roof views sustain attention: The role of micro-breaks in attention restoration. J. Environ. Psychol. 2015, 42, 182–189.
  7. Hartig, T.; Mitchell, R.; De Vries, S.; Frumkin, H. Nature and health. Annu. Rev. Public Health 2014, 35, 207–228.
  8. Williams, K.J.K.; Lee, K.E.; Sargent, L.; Johnson, K.A.; Rayner, J.; Farrell, C.; Miller, R.E.; Williams, N.S.G. Appraising the psychological benefits of green roofs for city residents and workers. Urban For. Urban Green 2019, 44, 126399.
  9. Hoffman, L.; McDonough, W. Green Roofs: Ecological Design and Construction; Schiffer Publishing: New York, NY, USA, 2005.
  10. Francis, R.A.; Lorimer, J. Urban reconciliation ecology: The potential of living roofs and walls. J. Environ. Manag. 2011, 92, 1429–1437.
  11. Xu, T.; Sathaye, J.; Akbari, H.; Garg, V.; Tetali, S. Quantifying the direct benefits of cool roofs in an urban setting: Reduced cooling energy use and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. Build. Environ. 2011, 48, 1–6.
  12. Department of Planning and Local Government 2010. Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Manual for the Greater Adelaide Region, Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Available online: https://share.google/s30ZRYcMxGNvaRDy4 (accessed on 31 January 2021).
  13. Bass, B.; Baskaran, B. Evaluating Rooftop and Vertical Gardens as an Adaptation Strategy for Urban Areas. Canada. 2003. Available online: https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/biblio/20414915 (accessed on 31 January 2021).
  14. Vijayaraghavan, K.; Joshi, U.M. Application of seaweed as substrate additive in green roofs: Enhancement of water retention and sorption capacity. Landsc. Urban Plan. 2015, 143, 25–32.
  15. Ascione, F.; Bianco, N.; De Rossi, F.; Turni, G.; Vanoli, G.P. Green roofs in European climates. Are effective solutions for the energy savings in air-conditioning? Appl. Energy 2013, 104, 845–859.
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Subjects: Environmental Studies
Contributors MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Georgia Yfantidou , Alkistis Papaioannou , Charikleia Patsi , Eleni Spyridopoulou , Michaela Melegkou
View Times: 13
Book: Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Online Date: 26 Dec 2025
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