Cristina M. Monteiro

Catholic University of Portugal

Cristina M. Monteiro graduated in Microbiology (2001) and completed a Ph.D. in Biotechnology – speciality in Microbiology (2010) at the Catholic University of Portugal-School of Biotechnology. Currently, she is a researcher at CBQF(Centre of Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry) on the subject of “Green Roofs in Urban Areas”. Her research focuses on nature-based solutions, urban rainwater management, harvesting, hydric efficiency, water quality, urban ecosystems, and urban resilience. She has authored and co-authored several national and international publications, technical papers, and book chapters, has been a guest editor of special issues and participated in national and international congresses and seminars related to the research area. Her academic activities include supervising several graduation students, co-supervising a master’s thesis, and organizing dissemination activities in the area at the host institution.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Cristina M. Monteiro

Urban cities are densely populated areas that prefer building constructions to the detriment of vegetated areas such as urban parks and other urban green infrastructures. From these changes in the urban tissue, several negative environmental effects have arisen, mainly related to stormwater management issues and heat stress in highly populated cities, which are being aggravated by the climate change scenario that we are already facing. As such, to mitigate those undesirable changes and aim to be the first carbon-neutral continent, Europe has launched several directives to encourage urban vegetation restoration. Urban green spaces are connected to environmental quality, besides contributing to the restoration of ecosystem services and healthier and more pleasant cities and spaces. Furthermore, urban vegetation can be implemented using different configurations (e.g., street trees, green roofs, urban parks) to improve and contribute to urban sustainability and resilience. Additionally, re-introducing urban green spaces in densely populated areas highlights the potential of these systems to help mitigate the negative effects of extreme intense climate events (heat waves and floods). Therefore, it is essential to assess and think about urban green space’s role and functions in the present to achieve resilient cities in the future.

Go to the book

Urban Green Spaces

Edited by Cristina M. Monteiro

Chapters authored

Green Roofs Influence on Stormwater Quantity and Quality: A Review

By Cristina Santos and Cristina M. Monteiro

This chapter intends to make an extensive review of the influence that Green Roofs (GR) have on the quality and quantity of stormwater. These aspects are very important to define the benefits and the disadvantages of this nature-based solution that is being implemented worldwide to improve the sustainability of urban areas. Previous studies show that the characteristics of GR (such as dimensions, the composition of the different layers and the type of plants) have a major influence on the quality and quantity of the GR runoff. Despite the proven benefits in urban stormwater management, in some reported cases, the quality resulted worst and for some GR conditions, the effect on rainwater retention was minimal. They are key elements to make resilient cities so a clear understanding of their functioning and development is fundamental to avoid and minimize potential impacts of malfunctioning of these nature-based structures.

Part of the book: Urban Green Spaces

Nature-Based Solutions Using LECA LWA to Increase Urban Sustainability and Support Stormwater Management

By Cristina M. Monteiro, Cristina Santos, Jaran R. Wood and Kim Rosenbom

In recent decades, the increase of building systems and the consequent impermeabilization of the inner-city environment, poses several negative environmental risks, especially those regarding global warming and water management. Urban green infrastructure (GI) provides benefits to urban inhabitants, but their potential depends on their suitable implementation, under the responsibility of different stakeholders. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are an effective means to restore vegetation urban areas contributing to its sustainability and resilience. The use of NbS infrastructure helps to reduce flood incidences, furthermore contributing to the mitigation of the urban heat island effect and air pollution reduction. Several NbS such as green roofs and green walls, rain gardens, infiltration trenches and permeable pavements, are being implemented worldwide as an effective strategy to improve the environmental performance of densely populated urban cities. Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA®) has been widely incorporated in several innovative urban GI solutions due to their key characteristics (e.g. lightweight, porosity and good drainage), developing a crucial role in stormwater management and water runoff quality. This chapter aims to report the potential influence that several NbS have on urban stormwater management, considering several case studies using Leca® LWA—demonstrating their engineering benefits and innovative properties.

Part of the book: Urban Green Spaces

Cristina M. Monteiro

Latest work with IntechOpen by Cristina M. Monteiro

Urban Green Spaces

Chapters authored

Related collaborators

Ashwani Kumar

Satish Pipralia

Başak Kılıç Taşeli

Cristina Santos

Akanksha Sangwan

Ruffina Thilakaratne

Nand Kumar

Anjali Saraswat

Jaran R. Wood

Kim Rosembom

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