Evaluation of Roof Gardens as Recreation Areas

In recent years, roof garden practices have become widespread in all of the world. A roof garden is a contained green space on top of a man-made structure. Roof gardens provide a wide variety of public and private benefits such as reducing storm water run-off and energy consumption, reducing the urban heat island effect, and improve the air quality. Roof gardens are classified as extensive, semi-extensive, or intensive, depending on the depthof the growing medium and the amount of maintenance needed. Considering the wide use of roof gardens, it seems that in today's densely populated cities, one of the most important uses of this type of gardens is for recreational and calming use of citizens. Reducing the urban green spaces due to the high construction costs and the increase in the distance between green spaces and parks from residential areas so proper design of roof gardens can partly meet the citizens' need for green spaces. The good planning of roof can be used as a space for relaxation, fun, instruction or horticulture. The recent designed places can give mental peace to the individual and finally improve the comfort of residential circumference. In this paper, by examining the types of the roof gardens, the important design criteria of this kind gardens are mentioned. In addition, this research attempts to justify the creation of accessible and usable spaces for all types of age groups (children / elders / youth) by reviewing various sources and executive samples and the necessity of creating such spaces on the roof gardens and its benefits for the citizens has been investigated too. As results, generally landscape architect in according to age groups designd spaces for kind of activities. Choosing the right activity that not only improves the physical and emotional needs of the users but also satisfies their recreational needs is very important. Due to the location of these types of gardens and their limited space, landscape designer needs more knowledges in designing spaces