Basic Study on Long-Term Changes in the Composition of Rooftop Greening Vegetation Using Artificial Soil : Focus on the Soil Analysis Results of the 20-Year Green Roof Testbed

Purpose: Rooftop greening, first introduced in Korea in the mid-1990s as a solution to urban ecological challenges, has become a standard feature in the construction market following extensive research in the early 2000s. This study assesses whether green roof soil, originally composed of artificial substrates, can evolve into natural soil or become suitable for urban agriculture over time, thereby exploring the potential for transforming these artificially created spaces into sustainable environments. Method: The rooftop greening laboratory, established in the 2000s using various soil types on the rooftop of the KICT, has now aged over 20 years. After two decades, the research team analyzed the composition of the rooftop greening soil, comparing it with other soils to track the changes in the artificial soil components over time. Results: The analysis revealed that the rooftop greening soil had gradually transformed into natural soil, suitable for urban agriculture. It was confirmed that, if maintained over an extended period, rooftop greening on artificial grounds could evolve into an environment quantitatively similar to natural soil.