Green roofs – understanding their benefits for Australia

The benefits of green roofs have been well documented over the last twenty years and yet their implementation in Australia has been slower than in other developed countries. This paper goes beyond the EDG introductory paper DES 53: Roof and Facade Gardens written some years ago, and looks at recent developments in green roofs and the benefits they can offer the built environment. It also describes some examples successfully implemented locally and overseas, and points out some elements that can be considered for their successful implementation in Australia.