Green Roofs in Infill Development to Improve the Environmental Safety of Urban Areas

Introduction. When designing construction projects in urban areas, it is essential to protect the environment from dust pollution. This is particularly challenging in densely populated areas where the construction site is often surrounded by existing buildings and infrastructure. Successful implementation of such projects requires a thorough analysis of many factors, including weather conditions, environmental risks, and limited space for maneuvering. A crucial aspect of this process is the development of measures to control dust emissions during construction. Therefore, technological innovations in the field of eco-friendly roofing systems are becoming a key element of modern urban planning. As scientific research in recent years has shown, eco-friendly structures contribute to the rational use of urban space and significantly improve the environment. However, the results of these studies lack data on the effectiveness of green roof structures and vegetation on them in reducing dust pollution in residential areas. They are adjacent to already populated objects and the lack of space makes it impossible to completely protect urban residents from dust exposure. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of green roofs to control the spread of dust in areas with active infill development and to develop our own green roof designs. The introduction of green roofs into residential construction not only improves the architectural appearance of neighborhoods, but also enhances the quality of the urban environment. The use of eco-friendly solutions in construction contributes to the modernization of the industry, making it safer for the environment and more comfortable for residents. Materials and Methods. An environmental experiment was conducted as part of the large-scale construction of the Krasny Aksai residential complex in Rostov-on-Don. In March 2020, in the construction area and outside the site, employees of the contractor planted herbaceous plants of six species typical of the Rostov region. Each plant species occupied an area of six square meters, creating a total experimental area of 36 square meters. The methodology for determining the volume of dust deposits trapped by plants included sampling dust particles from the surface of plant leaves with a brush, which was performed twice a week from May to October 2020, during the active construction of a multi-storey residential building. Air samples were taken to measure dust concentrations using an electric aspirator PU-3E/12 and filters made from perchlorvinyl fiber AFA-VP10. Results. The research showed that during the construction period with an easterly wind of 3–5 meters per second and humidity of 40%, the planted vegetation had a significant impact on air quality. There was a decrease in the concentration of PM10 dust particles above the green area by 10%, and at a distance of 10 meters from the vegetation cover, compared to the adjacent construction area, by 15%. Measurements of dust deposits over the growing season (May–October) revealed a significant dynamics: if at the beginning of the season (May–June) the amount of dust deposits on plants was a maximum of 0.42 mg/cm 2 , then in the midst of the warm season (July–October) it reached 1.81 mg/cm 2 . Financial calculations showed that traditional and green roofs were equally cost-effective over the long term (up to 40 years). To achieve this research goal, the authors have developed and implemented two types of constructive solutions for green roofs for public and residential buildings. Discussion and Conclusion. Green roof structures can act as an effective barrier against the spread of dust in the air, especially in areas near infill development where there is a high concentration of suspended solids. To reduce this concentration in residential areas near infill development, it is recommended to install green roofs on terraces, rooftops, and substructures of buildings with windows and entrances located near the construction site. In order to curb the spread of suspended particles, it is also suggested that green roof installation be considered for low-rise buildings such as kindergartens, schools, and shopping malls. The decision on where to install these structures should depend on the overall urban development plan for the area or specific territory.