Egypt starts green-roofing initiative in government buildings

CAIRO- 29 September 2019: Egyptian Ministry of Environment launched green-roof initiative to increase flora area nationwide, said the ministry in a statement on Friday, September 28.

“Planting roofs of buildings and facilities is a civilized manifestation and a new form of agriculture in the cities to reclaim greenish spaces as a natural breath for citizens,” said Minister Yasmine Fouad, who announced the initiative starting with planting the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA).

The roof will be planted with ornamentals, medical and aromatic plants, the minister said. Green roofs provide the individuals with oxygen they need and reduce pollution, she added, continuing that this initiative will enhance the aesthetic views of buildings.

Turning into green roofs help decrease high temperature that goes down on roofs by seven Celsius degrees, comparing to non-greenish roofs, Fouad said.

The Ministry’s initiative was announced in cooperation with the German Society for International Cooperation (GiZ), the ministry’s statement said.

The Ministry’s initiative is not the first one launched in Egypt; in 2018, three governmental buildings affiliated with the ministry of Agriculture in Hurghada city, at a cost of LE 60,000 each.