According to forecasts by the United Nations, more than half of the worlds’ humans will soon be living in cities.

However, Europe is even more urbanized, as more than 70 per cent of its inhabitants live in cities. According to Mr. Arvid Ekle, chairman of Norwegian Landscape Contractors’ Association, and speaker at the Smart Cities session of NEREC 2010, many urban centers are characterized by intense concentration on their inner cities. – Extremely built up, inner cities are often affected by negative consequences for the climate and water balance, Mr. Ekle said, emphasizing a clear context between people’s well-being and green solutions.

As part of ecological movement and criticism of modern town planning, the first regulations regarding green roofing in development plans were introduced approximately 25 years ago. Over the last few years, the benefits of green technologies have been well established, driven by government legislatives and financial support at both state and municipal level. This political consciousness for green roofs has led to a creation of a vibrant market for green roof products, with Germany widely considered as the leader in green roof research, technology and usage.

- Vegetated roofs provide numerous ecological and economic benefits to fast growing cities, creating better life and well-being to their citizens, Arvid Akle said, convinced that usage of green roofs will “explode”. – The heavy concentration in cities will make them necessary as effective means for climate adaption, Mr. Ekle said, eagerly emphasizing that green areas cleans the air, removing CO2, NOx and particulate aerosols.