1. Antoine Gatt / George Cutajar

2. Green Roofs – Towards a sustainable urban environment
…the Maltese case

3. The Maltese Scenario - Urbanisation
In the last 5 decades Malta has sustained a drive towards urbanisation. This resulted in large tracts of fertile land being converted into houses and apartments.

4. The Maltese Scenario – Towards ‘High Rise’
In recent years, and to a certain extent, the horizontal spreading of built-up areas has been restricted. This has resulted in the replacement of two storey terraced housing with medium rise apartment blocks leading to high density urban areas.

5. The Maltese Scenario – Garden Grabbing
High land prices and the urge to increase profits has resulted in garden grabbing.
This led to a significant drop in urban green infrastructure and a reduction in ecosystem services.

6. The Green Infrastructure
Green open spaces within the built environment are few and rare.
This is attributed to limited land area and lack of awareness on the importance and function of green infrastructure.

7. Impacts – ‘quality of life’

8. Green Roofs – Role to play
Green Roofs have a role to play in rendering buildings more energy efficient
Mitigate the problems of modern urban areas.
Green Roofs have since spread throughout Europe and other continents.

9. Green Roofs - Benefits For the Owner: Protects the roof slab
Reduces air-conditioning costs
Reduce winter heating costs
Reduces storm water run-off
Improve public relations - corporate
Amenity space
Reduces carbon footprint.
For the Environment:
Prevents sewer overflow
Replenishes oxygen
Provide habitat for wildlife
For the Community:
Reduces storm water runoff
Reduces “heat island” effect
Improves air quality
Reduces/buffers noise
Reduces energy demand
Improves aesthetics
Provides green enclave
An educational tool

10. Green Roofs - Objectives
Malta's construction methods are ideal in accommodating green roofs, and given that there is little information on local Green Roof performance, it would be most appropriate for the project to aim at creating baseline information on Green Roofs, paving the way for further studies but at the same time providing the opportunity and know how for the technology to be replicated by others. Thus the project will demonstrate to various sectors of society the benefits derived from green roofs. The project aims at:
Sourcing locally available materials for use as a growing medium. Such materials could include industrial waste
Studying the adequacy of native plants in a green roof environment
Proposing policies so as to integrate green roofs into the construction industry

11. Green Roofs - Objectives
Analysing data on the insulation properties of green roofs and calculating the reduction in energy consumption
Analysing flood mitigation properties of green roofs.
Disseminating the above findings to the public and policy makers through reports, publications, various media sources, seminars, and the internet
Constructing a green roof for demonstration purposes and as an open air laboratory for further green roof studies.
Developing guidelines for the construction of green roofs

12. Standards and Metrology Institute - Remit
Participate in the development of European and International standards.
Adopt European and International standards at National level.
Provide a platform to the local industry to participate in the development of European and International standards.
Provide a platform to the local industry to develop National standards which do not conflict with European and International standards.
Support the quality infrastructure of Malta by providing ‘state-of-the art’ standards which can be used by the industry and the regulator.

13. Standardisation – The Green Roof Standard
SM3700:2017
LifeMedProject/Industry approached MCCAA to develop the standard on Green Roofs
Setup team of experts from the industry representing recognised entities (e.g. UOM, MCAST, Chamber of Engineers, OHSA, etc.)
Series of meetings
Public consultation
Publication of the standard SM 3700: Green Roofs - Criteria for the planning, construction, control and maintenance of Green Roofs

14. Standardisation – Initiatives
DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STANDARDS (in-progress)
DSM820 – Recycling oriented deconstruction - Demolition and excavation (Process based approach)
DSM840 - Recycling oriented deconstruction – Guidelines for recycled material from excavation and demolition waste
EU ECOLABEL
Contributes to Circular Economy
Use of EU Ecolabel Products (Green Public Procurement)
EU Ecolabel – Tourist Accommodation
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Certification – ISO14001:2015
EMAS – Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
ORGANIC FARMING CERTIFICATION

15. Antoine Gatt / George Cutajar–