BIG4LIFE (building-integrated greenery): Collaborative xeriscaping-based maintenance and monitoring in mediterranean cities

¹ Innovative Technologies for Sustainability (IT4S) Research Group, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II 69, 25001 Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
² Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, C/Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

^* Corresponding author: laura.herrera@udl.cat

Abstract

The BIG4LIFE project aims to achieve the co-design of framework plans for co- maintenance, co-monitoring and co-evaluation of impacts, of Building-Integrated Greenery (BIG) systems, i.e. green roofs and facades, under the demanding conditions of the Mediterranean climate. For this scope, the BIG4LIFE project will demonstrate that by applying xeriscaping and networking approaches, supported by the suitable smart solutions, not only the long-term viability of BIG systems is feasible, but also their positive service life, in terms of ecosystem services provided, is possible to be enhanced. Co-designed with key stakeholders, and following a “by building typology approach”, the elaborated plans will be tested and validated in real BIG projects under operational phase, both failed and successful ones. The aim is to demonstrate that by means of establishing “networking approaches” through involving owners, users, maintenance companies, among other, as well as also taking advantage of the Community Service Learning methodologies, it is possible to achieve long-term sustainability for BIG systems. Moreover, by assessing and enhancing their positive service life, it is possible to calculate their cost- effectiveness and feasibility to be subsequently incorporated in the local and national policies and standards.