A resource guide developed by WGIN to improve cities’ water resilience through urban green infrastructure
As climate change brings more intense rainfall and increases the risk of urban flooding, cities need effective ways to manage rainwater and strengthen their resilience. Green roofs can help by retaining rainwater, slowing stormwater runoff and reducing pressure on drainage systems, while also delivering wider benefits for urban cooling, biodiversity and energy efficiency.
In the Green roofs guide for urban rainwater and stormwater management, WGIN’s EU Chapter explores how green roofs can contribute to more resilient cities as part of an integrated approach combining green infrastructure with conventional drainage systems. The resource guide examines their water-management benefits, policy and implementation considerations, economic and design factors and examples from around the world.
Published ahead of the European Commission’s forthcoming Climate Resilience Framework expected on 28 October, the paper highlights an opportunity to strengthen urban water resilience by better integrating green infrastructure into climate adaptation and urban planning. It underlines the role green roofs can play as multifunctional infrastructure, complementing existing measures and contributing to cities that are better equipped to manage the impacts of climate change.
