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Kenya: Green Roofs in Nairobi on the rise
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A well-designed green roof costs between US$15 and US$20 per square foot (0.093 square metres), but investing in one can increase a building’s value by up to 25 percent, Gichuhi said.
Green roofs also tend to last longer, because they protect roof membranes from ultraviolet radiation and temperature extremes, according to researchers at Michigan State University.
Germany is widely regarded as the world leader in green roof research, technology and usage, with the sector growing 10 to 15 percent per year in the European nation, the university’s website says.
In North America, the green roof industry grew by 28.5 percent in 2010, up from 16 percent in 2009, according to an annual survey.
The global market is expected to continue expanding, thanks to consumer interest in adopting green practices and pressure to minimise energy consumption by buildings in an effort to curb carbon emissions.
