Modular Green Roofs for EDS Carousel Station: Harnessing Portulaca Grandiflora for Environmental Restoration and Commuter Well-being

The accelerating urban growth of Metro Manila has strained the city's environmental resources, particularly in high-traffic transit hubs like EDSA. The GREENPATH project addresses these challenges by deploying modular green roofs using Portulaca grandiflora, a heat-resilient, pollutant-absorbing plant, at key BRT stations. Starting with the Main Avenue station in Cubao, the initiative combines nature-based solutions with AI-enabled infrastructure to create a climate-adaptive, sustainable transit system. The green roofs provide a range of environmental benefits, including reducing surface temperatures by up to 20°C and improving air quality by absorbing nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The project is aligned with national and international sustainability goals, such as the Philippine Green Building Code and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Commuter surveys reveal strong approval of the initiative, with 87% of respondents noting enhanced comfort and aesthetics. The project’s scalability is supported by the integration of IoT systems for monitoring plant health and irrigation, ensuring that maintenance is both efficient and sustainable. As a model for urban mobility and climate adaptation, GREENPATH offers a pathway for other cities facing similar environmental and infrastructural challenges to follow, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and public health.