The improvement of adaptation capability against heat island (ACHI) by greening buildings is considered as an important measure to cope with a climate change. This study aimed to select the most appropriate zones for green roof initiative in case study sites, Bucheon, Anyang, and Suwon Cities and to investigate the characteristics of buildings for greening to improve ACHI. Relative ACHI for each lot was estimated from 0 to -9, assuming that it decreases with the distance from green space and waterbody. Low adaptation capabilities were mostly shown in the old urban blocks with dense low-rise buildings and lack of green space. Three blocks with the lowest ACHIs were chosen as a green roof initiative zone in each city. They are largely residential areas including low-rise buildings such as single, multi-household houses, townhouses, 5 or lower story apartments and few are industrial areas crowded with small factory buildings. The areas of building roof available for greening are 8.8% within the selected zones in Bucheon City, 5.3% in Anyang City, and 4.9% in Suwon City. As it were, 25.2~41.7% of the roof top areas are available for greening in these zones. It means that roof top areas of $25,000{sim}120,000m^2$ can be used for greening within the selected zones of $0.64{sim}1.65km^2$ to improve ACHI. The approach and results of the study are significant to provide a logical basis and information on location, scale, effect, and target figure of greening as a measure to cope with climate change.