Green roofs under perspective of environment-oriented architecture design and a research upon applicability on Turkey scale

Important environmental problems, perceived at the second half of the 20th century, required to develop new policies about conservation of energy, nature and all resources. Public awareness was heightened about natural environment, that is the main source of existence of humankind but damaged by humanitarian interventions. And this awareness helped to emerge new approachments about "sustainability" and different notions related with it. On one hand while ecological destructions gradually increasing, on the other hand solution suggestions for protecting the environment became the noticeable study area for science. After comprehending that the building sector is one of the main liable of the environmental problems, architectural media has met with a serious notions such as "ecological building", "sustainable environment", "renewable energy", "green architecture", "intelligent building", "climatic control", "energy efficiency". According to studies about the sustainable architecture and developing technologies, roof surfaces has been a important elements for energy efficiency. At that point, the green roofs are important systems that enhance the air quality, decrease the urban warming, support the different using of rain water, suggest new activity area. Even though the using of green roofs dated back to the old ages, it is rarely used in the metropol cities of now especially in Turkey. The benefits of green roofs for energy balance and immaturity of the practicing area make the topic worth studying. Green roofs come into prominence especially in last years in Turkey too, in the context of certification systems (such as LEED, BREAM etc.). It is important to discuss green roof systems and to inform different actors of building sector. In this context, this study aims to investigate green roof systems in different national and international examples, evaluate the benefits of it for sustainability, constitute a substructure for buildings of country and contribute the related literature.