• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1469-1476
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• 2012

Hydrophilic polymer is suitable as soil conditioners for green roofs that use rainwater, due to promotion of water retention capacity as well as enhancement of the water absorbing capacity. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of different levels of hydrophilic polymer concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8% w/w) on the water holding capacity and growth response of 6 species in soils amended with hydrophilic polymer in 5 cm of soil thickness on green roofs. The results showed that the water holding capacity of the amended soil improved with increasing amount of applied polymer. The application of 0.8% w/w of the polymer increased the soil moisture by 87% compared to the control, and decreased slowly in green roofs during an arid period. The growth of Sedum spurium 'Dragon's blood' and Lampranthus spectabilis increased significantly and had greater than 60% relative coverage with higher hydrophilic polymer concentrations. However, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii and Euonymus fortunei var. radicans had no significant differences upon change of hydrophilic polymer concentrations. In Carex kujuzana and Carex morrowii 'Aurea variegata', growth decreased with increase of hydrophilic polymer concentrations. 30 days after planting, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, Euonymus fortunei var. radicans, Carex kujuzana, and Carex morrowii 'Aurea variegata' died back due to lowest soil thickness (5 cm), but Sedum spurium 'Dragon's blood' and Lampranthus spectabilis had greater than 90% survival.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.37-49
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• 2007

This study investigated how external environmentally-friendly factors adopted to improve the quality of outdoor spaces have been designed and used in the construction of apartment complexes. The goal of this study is to determine what areas should be improved through environmentally-friendly ways to create natural outdoor spaces in apartment complexes and enhance their availability and usefulness. For this study, 21 environmentally-friendly factors were chosen and a checklist by specific item was prepared. This study examine how these items were applied to basic planning, detail design, and construction in 4 target areas. As a result, it was found that the development of environmentally-friendly residential areas was an ultimate goal of the project during basic planning and design. All target areas focused on developing an inner greens network, eco-pond, brook, and pedestrian track as well as the growth of a variety of plants. Some differences have been observed, however, in terms of method. Furthermore, due to economic and technological problems and poor construction site conditions, green walls/green roofs/pedestrian tracks/use of rainwater have not been properly promoted. These kinds of problems must be improved through the development of environmentally-friendly construction methods and materials, the expansion of natural grounds areas, economic support, a satisfactory repair and maintenance system.