1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Alexandria (FUA) Region Africa Short description of the intervention The Alexandria Governorate is especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change, a vulnerability exacerbated by its dense coastal communities and rapidly growing population (2). Both demographic shifts and urban development intensify how climate phenomena affect the people and infrastructure of Alexandria (1). Buildings, roads, and other concrete structures absorb and release solar heat, significantly contributing to the urban heat island effect, which is causing temperatures in the city to rise faster than in less developed areas (1). Despite Alexandria’s growing need for cooling green spaces, they currently make up only 0.25 percent of the total area within the Governorate, highlighting an urgent need for environmental interventions (3-6). In response, Ahmed Gaber, chairman of the Alexandria Water Company, initiated a public awareness campaign in 2023 focused on the numerous benefits of planting green roofs (3-6). Green roofs serve multiple purposes: they extend the longevity of buildings, lower energy consumption, improve air quality, increase biodiversity, manage rainwater runoff, and mitigate the urban heat island effect (3). Furthermore, Gaber has emphasized the visual appeal of eco-friendly roofs, noting that green roofs offer an aesthetically pleasing option that enhances the urban landscape while serving critical environmental functions (4). This initiative by the Alexandria Water Company marks a pioneering step among governmental organizations in the region, as they lead efforts to address climate and environmental challenges actively. The company has begun planting green roofs across its facilities, including the new Al-Mashishya water station, where green spaces atop buildings are set to bring lasting environmental benefits to Alexandria. Through these efforts, the Alexandria Water Company is working to set an example for public and private sectors alike (3-6). Website of the intervention https://apanewsportal.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%B7%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%… Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Urban flooding (stormwater) Heat stress & Extreme temperatures Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Air pollution Land use and Socio-economic change Rapid urbanization Implementation area characterization Climate Arid (Desert, Steppe) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address 5WPM+6M2 الصبحية وعزبة شركس وعزبة Qesm, Moharam Bek Alexandria Governorate Egypt Location The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by). Area boundary (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alexandria+Water+Co./@31.1994254,29.9010774,1901m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x14f5da9f42859249:0x21d28df0c8e67fc1!8m2!3d31.1980752!4d29.9069356!16s%2Fg%2F1hc3_9mxv?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Building Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) unknown Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2023 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention The goals of the green roof planting at Water Mansheya Station 1 as part of the larger Alexandria Water Company Green Roof campaign is to: 1. Extend the life of the building's surface by protecting it from UV rays compared to a traditional roof 2. Reduce energy consumption because it provides natural insulation for buildings by absorbing heat instead of attracting it, which is also known as the urban heat island effect 3. Provide oxygen (air quality) and a lot of shade in urban environments, slowing the runoff of rainwater and reducing the occurrence of flash flooding by absorbing large amounts of water 4. Add an aesthetic element to buildings by implementing green roofs 5. Raise awareness on the benefits of green roofs and reducing climate and environmental changes (3-6). Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Environmental quality Air quality improvement Regeneration, land-use and urban development Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development Water management (SDG 6) Stormwater and rainfall management and storage Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Environmental education Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect Implement green walls or roofs to lower indoor temperature and provide insulation Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities Concrete buildings, roads and infrastructure absorb and radiate more solar heat contributing to the urban heat island effect (1). To address this, The Alexandria Water Company engaged in a variety of activities: In 2023, the company chairman Ahmed Gaber announced the launch of a green roof awareness campaign. This initiative marked the company as one of the first governmental entities to implement green roof planting across its stations and buildings. Among these efforts, a green roof was installed at the Water Mansheya Station 1. Additionally, the company has begun planting the roofs of its reservoirs in collaboration with the production and distribution sectors for the West and North Coast, as well as the nurseries and outreach departments of the Alexandria Water Company. (3-6) Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of green roofs and walls Knowledge creation and awareness raising Educational and awareness raising programs 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Nature on buildings (external) Green roofs Amenities offered by the NBS Unknown Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Local climate regulation (temperature reduction) Air quality regulation Flood regulation Cultural services Aesthetic appreciation Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Scale Spatial scale Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings) Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The Water Mansheya Station 1 is located in the Muḥarram Bik area in central Alexandria (7). In the area the population is 298,591 with the average age of individuals ranging between 15-64 (7). Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Yes Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities Coastal communities Urban heat islands Non-government actors Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital) Primary Beneficiaries Local government/Municipality Private sector/Corporate/Company Specify primary beneficiaries Private sector/Corporate/Company: The green roof was implemented at the Water Mansheya Station 1 which is owned by the Alexandria Water Company (3-6). Local government/Municipality: The green roof campaign is a city wide campaign that aims to increase green roof space across the city which will have the result of improving air quality, increasing energy efficiency, and mitigating the urban heat island effect (3-6). Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification) City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Co-governance with government and non-government actors Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative Government/Public sector institution: -The campaign is run by the Alexandria Water Company (public utility company), where they are installing green roofs on their private owned stations and buildings making it one of the first governmental companies to take an active role in reducing climate and environmental changes (3-6). -The planting of tank roofs is underway in cooperation with the West and North Coast Production and Distribution Sector, the Nurseries Department (public sector institution part of the Alexandria governorate), and the Alexandria Water Company's Awareness Department (3-6). Key actors - initiating organization Public sector institution Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Public sector institution Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-management/Joint management Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Infrastructure & Management Utility companies: water, sewage, etc. Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Yes Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan The company stated that this campaign comes within the framework of the state's keenness to preserve the environment, and in line with climate change (5). If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan SDGs National Strategy NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. Change agents: President of the Alexandria Water Company is responsible for initiating the awareness campaign (3-6). Governace and decison-making instruments Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers Unknown. Financing Total cost Unknown Please specify total cost (EUR) Financing for the project is not publicly disclosed. What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? n/a Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Unknown Co-finance for NBS No Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Risk reduction model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Energy efficiency improvements Expected energy efficiency improvements Environmental quality Improved air quality Expected improved air quality Water management and blue areas Increased protection against flooding Expected increased protection against flooding Improved stormwater management Expected improved stormwater management Green space and habitat Increased green space area Expected increased green space area Description of environmental benefits 1. Energy efficiency improvements: "2- Reducing energy consumption because it provides natural insulation for buildings by absorbing heat instead of attracting it, which is also known as the urban heat island effect." (5) 2. Improved air quality: "3- One of the most important advantages of green roofs is that they are suitable for old and new buildings as they provide oxygen and provide a lot of shade in urban environments." (5) 3. Improved stormwater management: "Alexandria Water Company Chairman Ahmed Gaber announced the start of an awareness campaign on planting green roofs, also known as eco-friendly roofs, using modern systems used to plant the roofs of buildings and stations in order to reduce rainwater runoff." (3) 4. Increased green space area: "Alexandria Drinking Water Company implemented an awareness campaign to conserve water through modern systems used to plant the roofs of buildings, companies and stations through the green area, which is the roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation due to its amazing benefits." (5) 5. Increased protection against flooding: “One of the most important advantages of green roofs is that they are suitable for old and new buildings, as they provide oxygen and provide a lot of shade in urban environments, reducing rainwater runoff and minimizing flash flooding by absorbing large amounts of water,” he added." (3) Economic impacts Unknown Description of economic benefits No economic impacts are mentioned. Social and cultural impacts Cultural heritage and sense of place Increased appreciation for natural spaces Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces Education Increased support for education and scientific research Achieved increased support for education and scientific research Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits Description of social and cultural benefits 1. Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits: "According to the initiative of the Alexandria Drinking Water Company, headed by Engineer Ahmed Gaber, Chairman and Managing Director, which comes within the framework of the state's keenness to preserve the environment, and in line with climate change, where it is keen to spread the culture of planting green roofs, also known as environmentally friendly roofs, which is very important because it has amazing environmental benefits and is environmentally friendly to preserve the climate and water at the same time." (4) 2. Increased support for education and scientific research: "According to the Alexandria Water Company's statement, it is one of the first governmental companies to take an active role in reducing climate and environmental changes and studying everything that helps in saving and rationalizing water." (4) 3. Increased appreciation for natural spaces: "Ahmed Gaber also emphasized on activating the use of eco-friendly roofs due to their aesthetically pleasing appearance, a system used by architects to decorate various environmental surfaces in cities and others." (4) Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Unknown Presence of indicators used in reporting No evidence in public records Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports No evidence in public records Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Name of any specific impact assessment tools unknown. Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Unknown Justice Community satisfaction Unknown Description of locals satisfaction with the project Unknown. Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected Unknown. Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Humanity and the City for Humanities and Social Research (2024). Thermal Island in Alexandria . [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Mohammed, S., and El Raey, M. (2018 ). Assesses the Resilience Index to Sea Level Rise Risk of Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Al-Saati, H. (2023). بدء حملة زراعة الأسطح الخضراء لتقليل جريان مياه الأمطار بالإسكندرية. [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Magdy, C. (2023). «مياه الإسكندرية» تطلق حملة توعوية بفوائد زراعة أسطح المنازل. [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Alexandria News Agency (2023). Green roofs and their impact on climate change and the environment...an awareness campaign about Alexandria water. [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan (2023). “Alexandria Water” launches an awareness campaign about the benefits of rooftop farming. [Source link] [Archive]; 7. City Population (n.d.). Al-Iskandariyah. [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Comments Very little information publicly regarding governance and financing for the project. Public Images Image Rooftop farming Cyril Magdy Image Alexandria Water Company Green Roof Campaign Hoda Al Saati
