Rooftop and vertical greenery – the improvement concept of community hygiene conditions in the cities of Serbia

Abstract

In conditions of overpopulated urban centers, one of the main issues is to ensure new green spaces. Vertical and rooftop greenery in urban centers is often the only possibility to increase the green areas, as well as the factor of creating better living conditions, which is the subject of this paper analysis. The greening concept of vertical surfaces and rooftops has also been proved as the factor for creating better community hygiene conditions (landscaping of neglected buildings’ rooftops and solving communal problems, as well as landscaping of slopes, repairing of bridge structures, retaining walls, concrete riverbanks and canals). In addition, it has been the significant environmental protection factor (increase of green areas, decrease of climate extremes and mitigation of city “heat island”, energy efficiency of buildings, increase of biodiversity, etc.). This research includes the analysis of relevant literature, scientific papers, monographs and planning documents, as well as the specific examples of various cities around the world. The aim of this paper is to determine the possibilities for implementation of the rooftop and vertical greenery concept, as the improvement factor of community hygiene conditions in the cities of Serbia.