Appraising the psychological benefits of green roofs for city residents and workers

Abstract

While a relatively small body of research links green roofs to psychological benefits such as aesthetic enjoyment and improved concentration, these outcomes are becoming important objectives in green roof design. Claims regarding benefits of green roofs are therefore often derived from research on psychological benefits of ground-level urban greenspaces. Compared with other urban landscapes, green roofs have limited space and accessibility, reducing the opportunity for physical exercise and the opportunity for larger masses of vegetation, particularly trees. Given these differences, there is a risk that the psychological benefits of green roofs are overstated or may only apply to a subset of..