Argentina. With the purpose of educating in an ethic of sustainability, a group of professors promoted the construction of a green terrace to scale in the building of the Higher Polytechnic Institute "General San Martín" of the National University of Rosario.
It is the transformation of a cement space into one with vegetation that contributes to an urban and environmental improvement. The proposal involved students of the upper courses of the secondary level and of the construction technician, constituting an unprecedented experience in a public education institution of the city.
The project began with a research work of the subject Geography on green terraces as a way to mitigate climate change and heat islands. Then it was presented in a Conicet program that financed proposals for technological development with inclusion and social impact and was selected among several schools in the country. In this way and also thanks to the contribution of the Cooperator of the Institute, last year it began to be carried out and is currently in the last stage.
The type of green terrace that was built is extensive since it has minimal maintenance, does not contribute much overload to the structure, and vegetation can subsist on rainwater. It also allows the recreation of all those who are part of the institution.
The methodology used included the evaluation of the conditions to install it, so the area under study was tested, with surface temperature measurement instruments such as the thermal imaging camera. The task was carried out on the outside surface and inside the premises, in order to compare them with other measurements, once completed.
In addition, the daily evolution of temperature and humidity was recorded, both outside and inside, through electronic devices "data logger", provided by the Institute of Applied Mechanics and Structures of the Faculty of Exact Sciences of the UNR.
Since the teachers tried to promote in the students a new awareness not only in the final objective but in each stage of the project, some materials were obtained through the recovery of others, such as recycled cardboard or telgopor packaging.
The work team received advice from the School of Gardening of the Directorate of Parks and Walks of the Municipality of Rosario about the type of plants, trees and grass that should be placed as well as their care and maintenance, an activity that will be carried out during the current school year.
