Amsterdam installs a network of green roofs to protect the city from flooding

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is known for its picturesque canals and historic architecture. However, the city also faces a serious threat from urban floods due to heavy rainfall. To combat this problem, the Amsterdam water management agency, Waternet, is implementing a network of green roofs throughout the city to protect against urban floods caused by heavy rainfall.

The green roofs, also known as “living roofs,” absorb rainwater and slow down its runoff into the city’s drainage system, reducing the risk of urban floods and providing other benefits such as reducing energy costs, improving air quality, and providing habitat for wildlife.

The Amsterdam Green Roofs project targets flat rooftops in the city with a minimum slope of at least 2% that can support the weight of a green roof. The project aims to install green roofs on both public and private buildings, and expects to cover an area of at least 80 hectares of green roofs by 2030. The roofs will be planted with a mix of grasses, wildflowers, and other hardy plants well-suited to the local climate.

The green roofs connect to the city’s rainwater management system, which collects and stores the rainwater the roofs absorb. The stored water can then be reused for irrigation, flushing toilets and other non-potable uses.

The Amsterdam Green Roofs project not only mitigates the risk of urban floods, but also promotes biodiversity and sustainable water management, while improving the urban environment. The implementation of this green infrastructure serves as an inspiration for other cities to address similar problems.