Roofs full of life: how green roofs contribute to the city of the future
A roof is often a forgotten space: black, hot, and barely used. But according to Katinka Quintelier, Associate Professor of Strategy and Ethics at VU Amsterdam, a roof can be so much more. She investigates how rooftops can contribute to a cooler, greener, and more biodiverse city. 'It’s about more than damage control. We want to use buildings to actively add something positive – for people, nature, and the economy.'
Author: Mika Linse
From limitation to regeneration
Quintelier works on a model of regenerative economy: systems that don't just minimize environmental harm, but actively contribute to recovery and renewal. In her recent paper, she introduces the concept of protective value creation – protecting the intrinsic value of people and nature so that sustainability and scaling up can go hand in hand. Green roofs are a concrete example: where a building normally consumes space, a green roof can create habitat for plants, insects, and birds. 'When an economic system protects the wellbeing of plants, insects, and birds just as much as that of people, scaling up naturally becomes a path toward sustainability,' Quintelier explains.
'When an economic system protects the wellbeing of plants, insects, and birds just as much as that of people, scaling up naturally becomes a path toward sustainability.'
A roof full of benefits
The list of benefits offered by green roofs is impressive. In summer, black urban roofs can heat up to 90 degrees, causing significant heat stress. Green roofs maintain a much lower temperature, keeping the city cool. In winter, they insulate and reduce energy costs. They can store rainwater to prevent flooding, and with native vegetation they actively contribute to biodiversity.
The effect is amplified when greenery and solar panels are combined. Recent research shows that solar panels above vegetation can produce up to 16% more energy because they stay cooler.
Health and wellbeing
Research shows that a view of greenery demonstrably contributes to faster recovery and improved wellbeing. Accessible rooftops can even become places for relaxation, exercise, and connection. Quintelier: 'Imagine a city where residents not only go to the park, but also use their own rooftop as a green meeting place.'
'Imagine a city where residents not only go to the park, but also use their own rooftop as a green meeting place.'
Ownership and investment
Yet, there are hurdles. The biggest challenges lie in costs and ownership. In apartment complexes or rental housing, it is often unclear who should invest. Misconceptions also persist, such as fears that a roof might leak. Quintelier sees solutions in service models and collective investments. 'Residents, owners, and municipalities can invest together – since they also share the benefits in comfort, lower costs, and a healthier living environment.'
Experimentation and autonomy
A key principle in her work is involving residents and practitioners. Quintelier argues for more room to experiment and more flexible regulations. 'People who live in the city experience the problems firsthand, and they often have good ideas. By giving them more autonomy and developing creative solutions together, we can build both support and trust.'
'People who live in the city experience the problems firsthand, and they often have good ideas. By giving them more autonomy and developing creative solutions together, we can build both support and trust.'
The city of the future
What would cities look like if green roofs were implemented on a large scale? Quintelier paints a hopeful picture: cities that are cooler, less prone to flooding, richer in biodiversity, and where residents have direct access to nature. 'If we do nothing, deaths during heatwaves will rise and the costs will continue to soar. But if we use rooftops as spaces for nature and energy, we can build cities that are not only liveable, but truly flourishing.'
'If we do nothing, deaths during heatwaves will rise and the costs will continue to soar. But if we use rooftops as spaces for nature and energy, we can build cities that are not only liveable, but truly flourishing.'
Katinka Quintelier is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Ethics at VU School of Business and Economics. Her research explores how organizations can move from sustainability to regeneration: systems that not only minimize harm but actively restore ecological and social value. She combines insights from business ethics, moral psychology, and the circular economy to study how companies and policymakers can work with nature instead of against it. With her current project Integrated Sustainable Roofs, she and her team investigate how urban rooftops can become spaces that strengthen biodiversity, energy efficiency, and wellbeing.
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