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A revised terminology for vegetated rooftops based on function and vegetation

D. J. Kotze,K. Kuoppamäki,Juhamatti Niemikapee,Marja Mesimäki,Ville Vaurola,S. Lehvävirta

Published 2020 in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

ABSTRACT

Abstract The proliferation of vegetated, or green roofs, warrant a revisit of the terminology used in order to efficiently, and without confusion, convey information among scientists, policy makers and practitioners. A Web of Science and Google Scholar search (from 1996 to 2018) showed a steady increase in green roof articles, reaching close to 300 per year in WOS and ca. 2500 in Google Scholar, with approximately 10–20%, and up to 40 % of all articles using the terms extensive and/or intensive, especially in recent years. We evaluated the use of these terms, including ‘green roof’, and ‘intensive and extensive roof’, found that they are used in confusing ways, and provide compelling evidence that there is a need for revising the terminology. Acknowledging that most, if not all, vegetated roofs are multifunctional, we propose a new classification system based on the roof’s primary function(s) and vegetation, such as “stormwater meadow roof”, “biodiversity meadow roof”, “biodiversity forest roof”, or even “multifunctional meadow roof”. This new terminological sphere is not meant to be rigid, but should be allowed to evolve so that useful combinations survive the scrutiny of academia and practitioners, while less useful ones go extinct. A clear and standardized terminology will serve to avoid confusion, allow for generalizations and aid in the development of this rapidly-expanding field.

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