To increase awareness on the benefits of green roofs, the LifeMedGreenRoof Project hosted the Hon. Minister Evarist Bartolo at the demonstration green roof on 17 March. The Minister was welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty for the Built Environment, Prof. Alex Torpiano, landscape architect Antoine Gatt manager for the project, and landscape architect Vince Morris. The Minister was accompanied by members of the Foundation for Tomorrow Schools and of the Office of the Permanent Secretary. During the visit a presentation about the green roof project was given, after which both parties discussed the benefits of green roofs within the education sector.

In the current age of technology, children spend most of their time indoors fact-to-face with computer screens and television. Very few children have the benefit of a garden within their home or even experience the natural outdoors. The negative consequences of such a lifestyle is well documented by researchers in child development. It also means that children grow to underestimate and depreciate the importance of nature often with the consequence that natural elements are feared.  Encouraging environmental education within the curriculum is important. Teaching pupils to respect nature at an early age will instil the notion of environmental ethics later on in life, and secondly contact with nature promotes child development in terms of improving self-esteem, motivation, concentration and imagination. Green infrastructure such as green roofs are known to reduce stress in children (and adults alike).

Green roofs in schools have a role to play. They not only provide environmental and energy saving benefits (stormwater management, insulation, air purification, lowering of ambient temperatures etc), they can provide a venue for teaching environmental education and promote hands on learning experience like growing food and observing nature within an urban setting.  They are perfect spaces to promote research and for gardening activity especially nowadays where gardens are rare. They can provide a unique opportunity to teach such subjects in an inviting outdoor environment.      

Considering that many of the schools locally lack green spaces and lack the possibility of incorporating greenery due to limited space, green roofs are the obvious solution. Roof spaces in schools are generally underutilised. With limited expenditure, the roofs can be transformed into an extension of the learning environment with the added benefit of increased internal comfort levels, as well as reduced maintenance costs.  

The Minister was shown around the demonstration green roof. He was delighted with the outcome of the project and interested in the potential of such technology within the education sector. He commented that these days, children in particular, are not experiencing contact with the natural world due to the increase in urbanisation which could have an effect on their development and their appreciation of what is natural. He added that green roofs are an important tool in mitigating such issues.

This project is partially funded by the EU under the LIFE+ scheme. It has been running since 2013. The aim of the project is to create awareness of the benefits of green roof technology. Green roofs are an important addition to creating sustainable cities and an environmentally conscious society.    

The demonstration green roof constructed at the Faculty for the Built Environment is open to the public to visit during office hours.  

For more information about the LifeMedGreenRoof project please visit: 
www.lifemedgreenroof.org or the Facebook page.