Green rooftops can have many uses

More and more buildings nationwide are getting makeovers, as owners install rooftop gardens. Since "green roofs" provide excellent insulation, they can keep room temperatures from rising in the summer.

As a result, electricity consumption can be cut. For this reason, green roofs are encouraged by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Environment Ministry as effective measures to counter global warming and ease the urban heat island effect.

Most existing green roofs use a thin layer of soil to grow plants to keep the load on the roof to a minimum.