The area of newly completed green roofs in the Czech Republic has increased by half

"Green roofs have long been perceived in the Czech Republic as an aesthetic, rather than a functional element. However, the situation is gradually changing, primarily due to the need to address issues resulting from climate change, the trend of sustainable development, and greater support from the state," stated Jitka Dostálová, the chairwoman of the Green Roofs section at the Association for the Establishment and Maintenance of Greenery.

The total area of newly completed green roofs last year roughly corresponds to the area of three Spartakiad stadiums in Prague. According to Dostálová, the largest green roof, with an area of approximately 14,500 square meters, is at the Nový Smíchov shopping center in Prague 5. Other larger buildings with green roofs in the capital include Central Park, the Chodov Shopping Center, and the ČSOB Radlická building. In Brno, notable examples are the Titanium administrative complex and the Masaryk University campus. In the Moravian-Silesian Region, this includes the Science and Technology Center in Ostrava-Vítkovice and the Tennis Hotel in Třinec.

According to architect Marcela Kubů from the Association of Manufacturers of Mineral Insulation (AVMI), green roofs oxygenate, cool, and humidify the surrounding air, thereby disrupting thermal islands predominantly composed of asphalt and concrete. For example, the year-round average temperature in Prague is approximately 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than the surrounding nature. "The temperature difference can reach up to ten degrees in large cities compared to suburban and rural areas. This is due to buildings accumulating heat throughout the day," added Kubů.

Although the state supports the construction of green roofs as part of the New Green Savings program, the ratio of roofs built with private and public funds is significantly skewed towards the private sector. "For every public contract, there are approximately nine private green roofs, whether they belong to homeowners, administrative buildings, or developers," Kubů added.

According to experts, the surface temperature of a vegetated roof usually does not exceed 25 degrees Celsius even in the summer months, making it up to 55 degrees lower than the temperature of surfaces exposed to direct sunlight. The greatest drawback of green roofs is their weight, which increases the demands on the roof's structure.