Rooftop gardens reduce heat by several degrees in Chennai, says study
A study by IIT-Madras and Okapi Research and Advisory found that rooftop gardens in Chennai significantly reduce indoor temperatures by 1°C to 4°C. The findings suggest that green roofs are an effective nature-based solution for mitigating urban heat.
Why it matters
As urban heat islands become a major climate concern, this research provides actionable data for sustainable urban planning and cooling strategies.
Rooms beneath rooftop gardens were found to be 1°C or 2°C cooler than those beneath exposed roofs, while the gardens reduced roof surface temperatures by eight to 12°C, according to a study by IIT-Madras and Okapi Research and Advisory carried out in various sites of Chennai.
The findings highlight the potential of rooftop gardens to reduce heat exposure in buildings and provide a nature-based cooling solution for Chennai’s increasingly warm urban environment. The study also revealed that such gardens helped moderate the amount of solar energy absorbed and reduced ceiling temperatures by two to 4°C.
Also View: How heat-stressed are you in Chennai?
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