[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Every summer, concerns about the "urban heat island effect" are growing. The urban heat island effect refers to the phenomenon of rising temperatures in major cities worldwide. It occurs because materials like cement and asphalt, which are the main components of buildings, easily absorb solar heat and then gradually release the heat, raising the temperature of the urban area. When high-rise buildings are densely packed, trapping exhaust fumes, artificial heat, and fine dust, the heat island effect intensifies. Especially during the summer when heatwaves are severe, the use of cooling devices increases energy consumption, further exacerbating the heat island effect.
For cities with severe air pollution to maintain their self-purification function, more than one-quarter of the area needs to be green space. As an alternative, rooftop parks, which create green spaces on unused rooftop areas, have emerged. Rooftop parks form shadows on building surfaces, preventing direct exposure to intense sunlight, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a major cause of greenhouse gases. In addition to purifying air pollutants, they also serve as aesthetically pleasing spaces that provide modern urban dwellers with places for relaxation and healing.
Rooftop parks, green spaces on rooftops that help alleviate urban air pollution and the heat island effect, have become effectively feasible thanks to Paraso, an artificial soil developed in 1981 by Kyungdongwon, an eco-friendly materials company and the parent company of Kyungdong Navien. Paraso is made by processing perlite, an eco-friendly inorganic material, into a form suitable for plant growth. It is about one-sixth the weight of regular soil, minimizing the load on buildings. It has appropriate moisture retention and aeration, making it superior for plant growth compared to regular soil, and it also promotes excellent root establishment, creating an environment where even large trees can thrive.
Paraso has become a representative brand for artificial soil, holding over 80% of the market share. It is used in various rooftop gardens, including the Sejong Government Complex, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's largest rooftop garden, the rooftop garden of Lotte World Tower, a landmark skyscraper in Seoul, Seoul Dragon City Hotel, Yeongdeungpo Times Square, Gwanggyo Galleria Department Store, office buildings like ASEM Tower, and Hanam Techno Valley.
A representative from Kyungdongwon stated, "Kyungdongwon will continue to introduce products such as Paraso, which has made urban greening possible, and insulation materials that minimize energy loss, making relentless efforts for a better future where nature and humans coexist harmoniously."
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