AI-HSEAI Institute for Construction Health, Safety, and Environment
Environment|구충완

Economic and environmental evaluation model for selecting the optimum design of green roof systems in elementary schools

2012International Journals
Research AreaEnvironment
Professor구충완
AuthorsKim, J. Hong, T., and Koo, C
Publication Year2012
Journal (Volume, Issue, Pages)Environmental Science & Technology, 46(15), 8475-8483 , ACS Publications). (Yonsei)
AbstractGreen-roof systems offer various benefits to man and nature, such as establishing ecological environments, improving landscape and air quality, and offering pleasant living environments. This study aimed to develop an optimal-scenario selection model that considers both the economic and the environmental effect in applying GRSs to educational facilities. The following process was carried out: (i) 15 GRSs scenarios were established by combining three soil and five plant types and (ii) the results of the life cycle CO2 analyses with the GRSs scenarios were converted to an economic value using certified emission reductions (CERs) carbon credits. Life cycle cost (LCC) analyses were performed based on these results. The results showed that when considering only the currently realized economic value, the conventional roof system is superior to the GRSs. However, the LCC analysis that included the environmental value, revealed that compared to the conventional roof system, the following six GRSs scenarios are superior (cost reduction; reduction ratio; in descending order): scenarios 13 ($195,229; 11.0%), 3 ($188,178; 10.6%), 8 ($181,558; 10.3%), 12 ($130,464; 7.4%), 2 ($124,566; 7.0%), and 7 ($113,931; 6.4%). Although the effect is relatively small in terms of cost reduction, environmental value attributes cannot be ignored in terms of the reduction ratio.
Green-Roof SystemsLife Cycle CO2 AnalysisCertified Emission ReductionsLife Cycle Cost AnalysisOptimal Senario