en.Wedoany.com Reported - A green roof project in the Parque Arará community, northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has achieved indoor temperature reductions of up to 15°C by replacing traditional roofing with vegetation.

The project, named "Teto Verde Favela" (Favela Green Roof), was initiated by local resident Luis Cassiano (also known as Sanduba). The community features dense buildings and sparse vegetation, resulting in a significant urban heat island effect. The project originated from Sanduba's dissatisfaction with high indoor temperatures and his desire to find cooling solutions that do not rely on fans or air conditioning.

The working principle of green roofs lies in the vegetation layer forming a natural barrier between sunlight and the building structure. The plant layer blocks some solar radiation, reducing direct roof heating, and dissipates heat through evaporation of water from the substrate and plants. Unlike conventional roofs that absorb heat and transfer it indoors, vegetated roofs transform exposed rooftops into small green areas.

Installing a green roof requires comprehensive consideration of waterproofing, drainage, structural load-bearing capacity, and plant species selection. According to information released by Virada Sustentável, Cassiano received technical support from Bruno Rezende, a green roof expert at the Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute). The solution uses sun-resistant materials and adapted plants without affecting the building structure. Professional guidance is crucial given that community houses are often built incrementally with limited load-bearing capacity.

In addition to lowering indoor temperatures, green roofs help retain some rainwater, reduce immediate runoff, and increase vegetation cover in areas with limited ground space, improving the surrounding perceived temperature. The project demonstrates how low-cost, nature-based solutions can adapt to local realities and improve residents' daily lives in the context of frequent heatwaves and increasing urban density.

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