Rainwater

Leipzig, Germany

Key facts

Pilot 6
  • Technology: Green roofs + storage (five variations)
  • Challenge addressed: Rainwater retention & stormwater reduction for buildings and suburbs
  • Main innovation: Improvement of evaporation efficiency and biodiversity via vegetation selection and management

Environmental &
Socio-economic impacts

The green roofs at the MULTISOURCE pilot in Germany will have a positive impact on local biodiversity as well as enabling stormwater reduction and cooling for buildings (and with replication, citywide).

Main Activities

We focus on the multifunctional aspects of green roofs. Within MULTISOURCE a focal point is on stormwater adaption and water demand for different functionalities and associated co-benefits.

Results

By monitoring detailed water budgets under different operation modes we use results to develop and calibrate green roof models. This also enables us to quantify stormwater storage and retention performance as well as water demand with respect to various functions such as evaporation and transpiration which drives biodiversity and cooling, as well as attractive urban green spaces. By incorporating different disciplines we further highlight associated co-benefits.

Impact generated

By specifically assessing co-benefits associated to our green roofs we showcase and quantify multifunctionality. Next to its main purpose as an experimental platform for a multitude of scientist across disciplines we also engage in outreach and demonstrate our green roofs and their co-benefits to stakeholders, decision makers, and researchers.

Partners involved

UFZ Helmholtz