Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing

Green roofs have emerged as a key nature-based solution for improving environmental quality, strengthening urban resilience, and enhancing human wellbeing. In the hospitality sector—where sustainable design and guest experience increasingly intersect—the incorporation of green roof gardens is particularly significant. Urban hotels face heightened challenges related to elevated temperatures, reduced green space, and the growing need for restorative environments within dense urban settings. This study aims to examine how green roof gardens function as integrated ecological, social, and psychological infrastructures in hotel environments. It evaluates the extent to which rooftop green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability, enhance guest experience, and foster community connections. The research adopts a qualitative design combining a comprehensive literature review conducted at selected five-star hotels in Greece. Data from secondary sources and field-based assessments were thematically analyzed to identify recurring patterns in environmental performance, social use, and psychological benefits. Findings indicate that hotel green roof gardens act as multifunctional systems that deliver significant ecological benefits—such as improved microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and biodiversity support—while simultaneously enriching social interaction and guest experience through accessible, esthetically appealing spaces. Observations further highlight their contribution to psychological wellbeing by offering restorative environments characterized by greenery, natural light, and panoramic views. The study concludes that green roof gardens represent an effective design strategy that integrates sustainability, hospitality experience, and urban wellbeing. Their application in hotels provides both conceptual insight and practical guidance for the development of more resilient, livable, and guest-centered urban environments. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating green roofs into contemporary tourism and urban planning practices.