Journals Information
Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(1), pp. 349 - 360
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130121
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Applying Roof Gardens in Existing Egyptian Administrative Buildings: Evaluating its Social Acceptance in Cairo, Egypt
Abdel-Wahab M. Abdel-Wahab *, Hebatallah A. Elsayed , Ayman H. El-alfy
Civil Engineering Department, Institute of Engineering Research and New and Renewable Energy, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
ABSTRACT
Cairo's urbanization and traffic mitigation technologies have dramatically reduced the city's green spaces. Satellite imagery and the Geographic Information System (GIS) can allocate roof space in several Cairo government buildings. GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) satellite images track metropolis growth and shrinkage. In areas with limited land, urban administrative buildings might develop rooftop gardens from underutilized rooftop areas. Roof gardens reduce air pollution, provide oxygen, and reduce heat transfer while offering social and recreational places for building inhabitants. The geographic spread and efficacy of rooftop gardens were examined to determine public approval. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach combining GIS mapping, survey questionnaires, and thematic analysis of interviews to evaluate the psychological and social impacts of roof gardens in administrative buildings. Quantitative data, including correlation and regression analyses, identified significant relationships between environmental factors and employee productivity. Qualitative insights from interviews were thematically analyzed to capture recurring patterns in occupant well-being, which were integrated into the final garden design. The combination of these methods provided a comprehensive understanding of how environmental interventions like roof gardens influence both physical and psychological health. The research examined how roof gardens affect building inhabitants' well-being, contentment, and productivity. The research incorporates creative gardens, lounges, caf茅s, event spaces, shaded areas, and pergolas to promote socializing and community involvement. The design of a roof garden may impact worker productivity, according to research. Green environments, aesthetics, and thermal comfort increase productivity. The current research suggests that roof gardens might boost employee productivity and well-being. The regression study showed that air quality, visual appeal, thermal comfort, and green areas best predicted self-reported productivity. The model predicted 68% of production variation, with air quality being the primary predictor. Thermal comfort correlated most with productivity (r = 0.50), followed by green areas (r = 0.48) and visual attractiveness (r = 0.45). For all factors, positive associations with productivity ranged from moderate to high. These results may help in designing and implementing roof gardens in administrative settings, improving staff well-being and productivity.
KEYWORDS
Roof Gardens, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Thermal Comfort Zone, and Air Quality
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Abdel-Wahab M. Abdel-Wahab , Hebatallah A. Elsayed , Ayman H. El-alfy , "Applying Roof Gardens in Existing Egyptian Administrative Buildings: Evaluating its Social Acceptance in Cairo, Egypt," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 349 - 360, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130121.
(b). APA Format:
Abdel-Wahab M. Abdel-Wahab , Hebatallah A. Elsayed , Ayman H. El-alfy (2025). Applying Roof Gardens in Existing Egyptian Administrative Buildings: Evaluating its Social Acceptance in Cairo, Egypt. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(1), 349 - 360. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130121.