Since 2007, the University of Genoa has been carrying out a monitoring programme to investigate the hydrologic response of green roofs in the Mediterranean climate by installing a green roof experimental site. In order to assess the influence of green roofs on the storm water runoff quality, water chemistry data have been included in the monitoring programme since 2010, providing rainfall and o...

The temperature of cities continues to increase because of the heat island phenomenon and the undeniable climatic change. The observed high ambient temperatures intensify energy problems in cities, deteriorates comfort conditions, put in danger the vulnerable population and amplify the pollution problems. There are some suggested ways to reduce these issues, among them vegetated roofs are shown...

Perhaps the most significant development in coal mine ground control during the last century was the introduction of roof bolting during the late 1940’s and 1950’s. From an engineering standpoint, roof bolts are inherently more effective than the wood timbers they replaced. Roof bolts promised to dramatically reduce the number of roof fall accidents, which then claimed hundreds of lives each ye...

Loss of natural soil and vegetation within the urban environment can significantly affect the hydrologic cycle by increasing storm water runoff rates and volumes. In order to mitigate these modifications in urban areas engineered systems are developed, such as green roofs, to mimic and replace functions (evapo-transpiration, infiltration, percolation) which have been altered due to the impact o...

energy conservation in buildings plays a vital role for sustainable development of societies and nations. although, newer buildings in developing nations are being constructed using energy conservation approach, existing buildings have higher energy demand to meet the desired comfort. excessive energy demand for cooling the built environment is a major problem over most of the arid climatic zon...