Green roofs:

- In winter, green roofs improve thermal insulation, in summer they shield against heat.
- They act like a natural air conditioner.
- They also extend the lifespan of roofs, as they are better protected against the elements.
(ndr.de/ratgeber/garten/Gruenda…)

Green paving joints
In Santiago de Compostela, a city planner accidentally discovered something that can keep us all cool: plants in pavement joints can lower ground temperatures by up to 28°C!
🌡️⬇️ Stone slabs on plazas heat up to 55°C in summer—but where greens grows from the cracks, the ground is measurably cooler.
This also affects the microclimate, making the air above cooler too.

- Natural air conditioning: Plants evaporate water and provide shade.
- Simple solution: No expensive projects, just patience and a change in mindset.
- Biodiversity: Even small areas become habitats.

If you want to take action yourself:
There are drought-resistant and trampling-tolerant herbs specifically suited for pavement joints. You can also replace entire lawns with it, then no more mowing is necessary.
--> Proven species include calamint, daisy, biting stonecrop, early thyme, common thyme, spring whitlowgrass, and Irish moss—they’re resilient under foot traffic, cool the surroundings, smell pleasant, and even suppress unwanted weeds, so you won’t need to pull them anymore.

(spektrum.de/news/bewachsene-fu…)