ÇATIDER proposes solution to flood disasters caused by heavy rainfall

"Green Roofs Reduce Flood Risk in Cities"

In a statement regarding the excessive rainfall and flooding disaster that disrupted life in Istanbul, Adil Baştanoğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Roof Manufacturers and Businessmen Association (ÇATIDER), noted that green (vegetated) roof applications, which are rapidly spreading worldwide, reduce flood formation in cities, stating: "With drainage systems in vegetated roofs, rainwater falling on the roof surface can be delayed by approximately one hour before reaching the drainage system. This constitutes an important factor in reducing flood formation risk. Vegetated roofs also have additional benefits such as reducing heat islands caused by global warming and improving energy efficiency," he said. ÇATIDER Chairman of the Board Adil Baştanoğlu expressed great sorrow about the flood cases resulting from excessive rainfall in Istanbul, stating that green roof applications, whose numbers are increasing in both the world and Turkey, could contribute to solving this problem.

Insufficient Water-Absorbing Soil and Vegetation Cover in Cities

Baştanoğlu reminded that one of the problems emerging with rapid urbanization is the conversion of excessive rainfall into floods, stating: "Due to rapidly increasing population and construction, water-absorbing soil and green vegetation cover in our cities are decreasing. At the same time, surfaces that immediately channel the water falling on them to drains and from there to sewage or rainwater discharge systems are increasing. The simultaneous discharge of all rainwater falling on a city, with increases in rainfall volume, can lead to flood disasters. Green roofs have vital importance at this point. With drainage systems that can be used in vegetated roofs, rainwater falling on the roof surface can be delayed by approximately one hour before reaching the discharge system. This delay plays an important role in reducing flood formation risk. If vegetated roof applications become widespread in Istanbul, we would make significant contributions to solving the problem."

Also Prevents Heat Islands

Baştanoğlu emphasized that heat islands form in cities with the process of global warming, stating: "These heat islands create large temperature differences between areas, contaminated soil, altered weather conditions, and problems such as water resource depletion. Vegetated roofs can retain a large portion of the energy accumulated during the day within the soil and plants, preventing its reflection to the outside during sunset hours. Thus, the difference created within heat islands compared to rural areas can be reduced. Vegetated roofs contribute to solving many problems ranging from oxygen production to reducing heat islands and improving energy efficiency."

Europe Incentivizes Green Roofs

Baştanoğlu stated that green roof applications are incentivized and rapidly spreading in many developed countries, particularly in Europe, saying: "Green roofs contribute to reducing rainwater loss, urban heat island effect, and energy losses, providing ecological, aesthetic, psychological, and economic benefits to cities. Particularly in many European cities, vegetated roof construction is incentivized in new and renovated buildings. There are green roof examples in Turkey as well, but we must rapidly increase these examples," he said.