Research and development of green roofs and green walls in Mexico: A review

The residential sector is one of the primary energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases. Given the environmental problem, one of the methods of mitigating electricity consumption and reducing the temperature in buildings is green infrastructure: green roofs and walls. This article presents a compilation of the studies carried out in México about green infrastructure; the energy, thermal and environmental benefits obtained were analyzed according to the vegetation, substrate, climate, and systems configuration. In addition, the development of policies, laws, regulations, and incentives in the field of green roofs in Mexico was also analyzed. The results indicate that using green infrastructure can help mitigate greenhouse gases since a green roof can reduce the indoor temperature up to 19.9 °C, save 28 % annually in electricity consumption and remove 80 % of rainwater pollutants. Finally, the results of this research can provide insight for researchers, legislators, and urban planners about the state in which Mexico is located, as well as help in decision-making.