In the center of Oostend, sustainability is getting more and more space. In the heart of the city, the underground parking of the Royal Palace an impressive green roof of no less than 10,000 m². Recently, construction began on this ambitious project, which not only serves as a visual enhancement for the city, but also stands as a strong example of how greening and urban development can go hand in hand.
Green roofs as an added value in urban environments
In densely populated urban areas, green roofs play a crucial role. They provide extra greenery where space at ground level is limited and contribute to a more pleasant living environment. Green roofs improve air quality, lower the ambient temperature, and help mitigate the urban heat island effect. In addition, they increase biodiversity by providing space for plants and insects, and they contribute to a longer lifespan for the roofing materials thanks to extra protection against UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.
Water retention and Flemish regulations
An important advantage of green roofs is their ability to temporarily buffering rainwater and discharging it in a controlled manner. In Flanders, this is becoming increasingly important within the regulations regarding stormwater management, where buffering and infiltration are central to preventing flooding and desiccation. Green roofs play an active role in this: they retain a significant portion of rainwater, allow it to evaporate or discharge it at a delayed rate, thereby reducing the burden on the sewerage system. By smartly deploying water-buffering layers, green roofs contribute to a climate-resilient city and help developers comply with applicable standards and guidelines.
Strong collaboration on the Royal Palace project
Following the renovation of the roofing on the underground garage, Royal Palace opted for a well-considered and high-quality green roof system. The complete build-up consists of:
- Greenfix root-resistant sliding and protective film
- Greenfix Protect 300
- Greenfix Eco Drain 20 mm with filter fabric
- And in specific areas, Retain 60 mm with filter fabric, for extra water buffering where needed.
This project is the result of a strong collaboration between all parties involved. Castelein Outdoor relied on Deschacht's expertise, technical advice, and quality for the green roof systems. Also Luum Architects deserves special mention for its thoughtful design that responds perfectly to the urban context and contributes to a greener and more climate-resilient city of Ostend.
Greenfix: well-designed green roof systems by Deschacht
With the Greenfix green roof range Deschacht offers complete and reliable solutions for extensive green roofs. Each system consists of perfectly matched layers, focusing on protection, drainage, and water retention. Thus, Greenfix green roofs support not only sustainable ambitions, but also technical reliability and a long lifespan. The Royal Palace project is a fine reference within this range and demonstrates how Greenfix contributes to high-quality, future-oriented green roof realizations. An inspiring example of how collaboration between architect, contractor, and supplier leads to real added value for the city.
