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Researchers :
Synopsis:
The main
objectives of this study are:
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To
investigate the feasibility and practicality of green roof under high
intensity rainfall (50mm/h -100mm/h)
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To
assess runoff water quantity and quality from green roof
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To
investigate the composition of the vegetation that influences green roof
performance
Malaysia,
as a tropical climate country, receives 3500mm of rainfall yearly and have a
large area of tropical rainforest which acts as water catchment area.
However, Malaysia is facing major stormwater problems like flash flood,
water shortage and water pollution due to rapid urbanisation, increasing
population, agriculture activities, deforestation and other activities
involving of land use changes. Year by year the problems is getting worse
and seriously threaten Malaysia’s water security due to decreasing quality
of water resources consequently the availability of water is depleted. Thus
holistic methods need to be applied. Conventional method in stormwater
management like using concrete drain in new development area cannot fulfill
the expectation in controlling the volume and quality of runoff water. Rapid
disposal will cause flash flood in the downstream area and flooding will
also carry the pollutants to the nearest water bodies.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Malaysia (DID) launched an Urban
Stormwater Manual of Malaysia (MSMA) in 2001 and the second edition of MSMA
was launched in August 2012. This manual promote the application of
Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) facilities like bioretention,
swale, wetland and etc. Green roof is one of the SUDS facilities. However,
it is not included in the latest MSMA. There is no legislation or rule
provided for the green roof construction. Green roof when used together with
other SUDS or BMPs facilities will intercept rainwater that can reach to the
ground and consequently control the volume of rainwater on the ground.
Besides, rain water quality also can be improved.
Green
roof provides numerous benefits such as attenuating stormwater runoff which
lowers risks of urban floods and improving the urban water balance, acting
as noise buffer and reduce air pollution. Green roof also creates new
habitat for wildlife and biodiversity enhancement and reduce microclimate
for the area. These have been demonstrated in research projects in oversea.
However, the implementation of green roof in Malaysia under high intensity
rainfall has not been studied. It is believe that implementation of green
roof in stormwater management would help in securing Malaysian water
availability and demand and reduce the possibility of flash flood.
Physical
model of green roof and rainfall simulator will be constructed in order to
gain data. Results gained from the study will provide important data to be
referred in the guidelines for the related or relevant agencies in order to
implement the green roof in their developing areas.
Kalanchoe pinata |
Arachis pintoi |
Zoysia matrella |
Vegetation use in the study
Cell test and
simulation of rainfall
Construction of car park with green roof
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