Where Green Roofs are the Law

When writing my post about Toronto mandating green roofs for new construction over 2000 sq m., I had remembered that Tokyo had a similar law, but hadn't provided any source material.

Since then, I decided to find out what localities or countries required green roofs by law. While I don't wish to discuss the merits or demerits of mandating green roofs by the force of law, I am happy to discuss the benefits from the green roofs themselves. Water Barrels and Storage

As mentioned above, Toronto's City Council passed a law in May of 2009 requiring roofs over 2,000 sq m. to have green roofs that cover between 20-50% of the roof's surface. For Toronto, storm water runoff and pollution control are significant issues, as well as reducing heating costs. However, it turns out the Tokyo is the leader in legislating green roofs.

The Fujitsu Research Institute reports that the law, Ordinance on Environmental Preservation, originally passed in December of 2000, implemented in April 2001, and revised in June of 2008, is focused on reducing petroleum in general, though it also spells out other green activities, including green roofs.

Greenroofs.com highlights that the Ordinance requires "...new buildings greater than 1,000 square meters (10,000 sf) or over one-quarter acre to green at least 20% of its useable roof space." For Tokyo specifically, a key goal in implementing this ordinance was to reduce the urban heat island effect. Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food

Not to be outdone by the Japanese, Switzerland has a federal law requiring green roofs. The law, however, is administered at the Canton (state) level, with each state taking a slightly different interpretation.

Again, greenroofs.com is a wealth of information, with this quotation:

"The cities of Basel, Zürich, and Luzern, for example now require that every new flat roof be planted per building code. As of the end of 2005, approximately 20% of the flat roofs are green roofs within Basel in the city of Basel in a year there will be around 80. This equals about 80 city projects totaling 480,000 m2, with the outlying countryside projects also around 80, estimated at 500,000 m2 (Dr. Stephan Brenneisen, 2005)."

As we have seen, legislating green roofs does create great benefits for the localities in which the laws are past. Buildings use less energy as the green roofs reduce HVAC costs, and they also reduce the load on storm water management systems. Additionally, major cities reduce the urban heat island effect. Clearly, these are tremendous benefits, though I don't personally believe they should be mandated by law.

Toronto Mandates Green Roofs

The Toronto City Council approved a measure mandating the use of green roofs on certain sized buildings. The measure is set to take effect in 2010.

According to Jennifer Lewington of "The Globe and Mail,":

The new rules kick in for new residential buildings constructed after Jan. 31, 2010, that are at least 2,000 square metres... and at least 20 metres high (six storeys), down from the 23 metres originally proposed.

Larger, commercial buildings will also be required to have between 20-50% green roof coverage. Although this measure was largely opposed by developers, there were some arguments owing to no Canadian building standards for green roofs. Air France offers free stopovers in Paris.

To mitigate higher costs for green roofs in renovation, greenroofs.com reports:

The latest move will provide cash incentives to commercial, industrial and institutional (ICI) property owners to install eco-roofs. Currently, the City is willing to provide incentives of $50 (Canadian) per square meter up to $100,000 for building owners who install green roofs, on a one-year pilot basis.

Although similar laws exist in Japan and Germany, consistent with both their compressed populations and issues surrounding storm water management, Canada has been successful with voluntary use of green roofs.

One major example is Vancouver. The Vancouver Convention Centre West is the largest green roof in all of Canada. It covers over six acres and has over 400,000 indigenous plants species. Taste the Purest Tea on the Planet – Organic and Fair Trade Certified Shop Numi Organic Tea

While tax paying citizens of Toronto can argue whether this measure should have passed and whether it is too stringent or not, the benefits of green roofs are undeniable. The buildings that have green roofs enjoy 20-30% reduced heating and cooling costs, as well as reduced storm water runoff. Additionally, the aesthetic benefits of green roofs create a positive environment in major cities.

Sky Farms and Green Roofs

2009 has been full of stories about sky farms and green roofs. While this blog focuses on green roofs, the concept of sky farms is very intriguing.

Inhabitat.com, treehugger.com, and verticalfarm.com have all been bringing new information to the scene about this growing concept.

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If one considers a city, it inhabitants, food requirements and the logistics to meet those needs, it becomes clear that urban farming can be an efficient way to both feed a growing populace and reduce environmental impact.

In three previous posts, "Food in the City," "New York's Dragonfly Concept," and "Dubai's Food City," I have explored different takes on urban farming. What I have found is that sustainable food production is possible, though start up costs are quite high.

What strikes me about the urban farming concept is the synthesis of green roofs, green walls, grey water purification systems, as well as the use of solar and wind power. This synthesis of existing technologies produces a product greater than the sum of its parts.

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One question that hasn't been answered is whether the urban farms should be open to environment or walled. With the inherent pollution of a city, it would seem the open farms would naturally concentrate the pollution in the vegetation. However, a hybrid approach, using large green roofs would help to reduce both the air pollution as well as filter the rain water.

As the urban farming concept continues to grow in cities such as Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Toronto, credit has to be given to Dr. Dickson Despommier, Ph.D., one of the leading scientists in the field.

As global urban population grows, the need to feed the population becomes more urgent. While green roofs can help reduce some of the problems of increased urban populations, urban farms can not only meet food needs, but also reduce the stress on existing farm lands.

Canada's Largest Green Roof is in Vancouver

World Architecture News reports:

...Vancouver Convention Centre West, ... with 6 acres of green roof it boasts the largest in Canada, and the largest non-industrial green roof in North America. This combined with many other eco-measures is set to help the project achieve LEED Canada Gold certification.

The green roof itself is a thing of great beauty and purpose. According to the article, there are "...400,000 indigenous plants and grasses,..." Additionally, a roof this size helps to control heating and cooling costs, as well as reducing air pollution. Discover Top Rated Mighty Leaf Herbal Tea. Tea lovers love our delicious herbal tea blends. You will too. Save 25% on your first order!

This is not a beautiful project, but also allows Vancouver's green roof credentials to take root. While the city boasts the Centre for Architectural Ecology - Collaborations in Green Roofs and Living Walls, the Convention Center will also create habitat for marine life, as well as improve the shoreline.

While the green roof is the most obvious "green" feature of the structure, it also uses the most advanced in green technologies. There is a significant waste water recycling. Heating and cooling is aided by using a heat pump system, "...that takes advantage of the constant temperature of adjacent seawater,..." and uses window placement for lighting. Water Barrels and Storage The Convention Centre's expansion was designed to be "...used as a hub to support 7,000 media during the XXI Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games."

The design and architectural work was done by Architects LMN and Vancouver-based Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership as well as DA Architects & Planners.

This beautiful new addition will also serve to provide Vancouver with the opportunity to compete with Toronto for the World Green Roof Congress in the years to come. Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food

2009 World Green Roof Congress Set for Toronto

For anybody that loves flat green roofs and is in the business of building or promoting them, the 2009 World Green Roof Congress is going to be held in Toronto.

According to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, "The Congress will bring more than 1,000 delegates to Toronto from around the world to discuss the latest research, policy and technical advances in the rapidly growing green roof industry."

Toronto was chosen, in part, to its 2006 "Making Green Roofs Happen" report that "...will advance the use of green roof technology among City buildings and in the private sector." This commitment to green roofs ranks Toronto with Chicago, Washington, and New York as cities that are committed to green roofs and cleaner air.

More details can be found in a press release found here.