Implementación de cubierta verde en climas cálidos húmedos caso de estudio Sucúa - Morona Santiago

Abstract

The rapid urban development causes a number of problems, not only social and economic, but also environmental. This fact causes the demand for energy consumption to be increasingly high, determining sustainability to become more important in the architecture of cities. A significant element of sustainability for cities is the implementation of green roofs, aiming in this way, to reduce polluting gases and improve the well-being and quality of life of people. This problem not only occurs in populated areas worldwide, but it can also be seen in small growing cities within Ecuador, like Sucúa, located in the province of Morona Santiago, which is the case study of this research work. In response to this problem, the main purpose of this study is the construction of a green roof prototype expecting to help thermal comfort in homes. Prior to this, a review of experiences and results of research works on this topic was conducted. A number of historical backgrounds were analyzed in order to understand how these types of systems have been established and how they can be incorporated into our local environment, taking into account construction, economic and ecological conditions of the area of study. After analyzing the results of research works carried out in different cities of the world, highlighting those carried out in climatic conditions similar to those of the study, an extensive green roof prototype was designed, which would be implemented later in a house in the city of Sucúa. With these criteria, affordable materials, resistant to hot and humid weather, were chosen. Later, the green roof prototype was built on top of a room to be analyzed later in relation to another room in the same conditions, but without the green roof. The prototype was evaluated considering the variable of temperature for four weeks, using temperature and humidity measuring instruments. The results show that the green roof, in hot and humid weather, reduced the temperature in the house, considering the area (size) that is implemented and other factors like materials, substrate thickness and vegetation. In addition, a green roof is affordable for all since it can be made with limited materials and resources, according to the needs and availability of people. Because of its light weight, a green roof can be built over an existing roof.