Validation/upscaling
Yes, the Best Practice has been validated through field monitoring and modelling, although it has not yet been physically upscaled and currently remains at the prototype stage.
The performance of the PolderRoof installed at the University of Cagliari has been validated through long-term field monitoring between 2019 and 2025. During this period, rainfall and outflow data were continuously collected to assess the hydrological behaviour of the system and its ability to retain and regulate stormwater runoff (Cristiano et al. 2022).
The experimental observations were supported by the calibration of the EHSM ecohydrological model developed by Viola et al. (2017) and Cristiano et al. (2023). The calibrated model confirmed the retention performance of the green roof under different rainfall conditions, including extreme precipitation events.
Additional validation was carried out through field experiments conducted in 2021, which included both artificial and natural rainfall events. These tests enabled detailed analyses of water quantity and water quality, providing further evidence of the system’s effectiveness in stormwater retention and pollutant mitigation.
Although the system has not yet been implemented at large scale, its potential impacts under large-scale deployment have been investigated through scenario analyses. In particular, the costs and benefits of large-scale green roof implementation for stormwater management in cities worldwide have been analysed by Cristiano et al. (2023b). The results highlight the potential contribution of green roofs to urban flood mitigation and sustainable stormwater management.
Overall, the Best Practice has been scientifically validated through monitoring, experiments, and modelling, while large-scale implementation remains a future development opportunity currently supported by research-based assessments of its potential benefits.
Cristiano, E., Annis, A., Apollonio, C., Pumo, D., Urru, S., Viola, F., ... & Nardi, F. (2022). Multilayer blue-green roofs as nature-based solutions for water and thermal insulation management. Hydrology Research, 53(9), 1129-1149.
Cristiano, E., Lai, F., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2023a). Management strategies for maximizing the ecohydrological benefits of multilayer blue-green roofs in mediterranean urban areas. Journal of Environmental Management, 343, 118248.
Cristiano, E., Farris, S., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2023b). How much green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems can contribute to urban flood mitigation?. Urban Water Journal, 20(2), 140-157.
Viola, F., Hellies, M., & Deidda, R. (2017). Retention performance of green roofs in representative climates worldwide. Journal of Hydrology, 553, 763-772.
The performance of the PolderRoof installed at the University of Cagliari has been validated through long-term field monitoring between 2019 and 2025. During this period, rainfall and outflow data were continuously collected to assess the hydrological behaviour of the system and its ability to retain and regulate stormwater runoff (Cristiano et al. 2022).
The experimental observations were supported by the calibration of the EHSM ecohydrological model developed by Viola et al. (2017) and Cristiano et al. (2023). The calibrated model confirmed the retention performance of the green roof under different rainfall conditions, including extreme precipitation events.
Additional validation was carried out through field experiments conducted in 2021, which included both artificial and natural rainfall events. These tests enabled detailed analyses of water quantity and water quality, providing further evidence of the system’s effectiveness in stormwater retention and pollutant mitigation.
Although the system has not yet been implemented at large scale, its potential impacts under large-scale deployment have been investigated through scenario analyses. In particular, the costs and benefits of large-scale green roof implementation for stormwater management in cities worldwide have been analysed by Cristiano et al. (2023b). The results highlight the potential contribution of green roofs to urban flood mitigation and sustainable stormwater management.
Overall, the Best Practice has been scientifically validated through monitoring, experiments, and modelling, while large-scale implementation remains a future development opportunity currently supported by research-based assessments of its potential benefits.
Cristiano, E., Annis, A., Apollonio, C., Pumo, D., Urru, S., Viola, F., ... & Nardi, F. (2022). Multilayer blue-green roofs as nature-based solutions for water and thermal insulation management. Hydrology Research, 53(9), 1129-1149.
Cristiano, E., Lai, F., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2023a). Management strategies for maximizing the ecohydrological benefits of multilayer blue-green roofs in mediterranean urban areas. Journal of Environmental Management, 343, 118248.
Cristiano, E., Farris, S., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2023b). How much green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems can contribute to urban flood mitigation?. Urban Water Journal, 20(2), 140-157.
Viola, F., Hellies, M., & Deidda, R. (2017). Retention performance of green roofs in representative climates worldwide. Journal of Hydrology, 553, 763-772.