Green Roofs at Airports

Although I have written about the green roof Kloten (Zurich) International Airport Dock E, I was thinking about a different type of green roof. What if there were green roofs on jet ways?

As I taxied to the gate in Boston, I thought about how hot, cold, or muggy the jet way would be. It is rare, at least in the U.S. airports that I have traveled through that jet ways were comfortable. Air France offers free stopovers in Paris.

So, what if they outfitted jet ways with green roofs? The would immediately be cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and would help with storm water runoff.

While retrofitting existing jet ways with green roofs is probably infeasible, it may more realistic with new jet ways. Designer cards at Cardstore.com

Just a thought for all of you airport managers out there.

Zurich's Green Roofs

Ah, the Swiss. Known for their precision, understated elegance, and natural beauty, it is only fitting that two of their public use facilities have green roofs. Built in 2002, both the Zurich Airport and the Zurich main rail station have green roofs. $20 Off AeroGardens

According to Greenroofs.com,:

One of the largest green roof building sites in Switzerland, the new dispatch building at Kloten International Airport is Dock E, ... Sporting an extensive green roof measuring 4,000 m2 (43,056 sf), ... Completed in November 2002..., the planning group decided to install ZinCo green roof systems.

As for the train station:

During the preparation... a problem surfaced... The whole area was mapped as a ...living space for different endangered insects and reptiles whose natural environment consisted of desert-like spaces...these animals used the space between the tracks as their living space. Swiss law prohibits the destruction of such biotopes without replacement. In the search for a solution the idea of using the rooftop as a replacement was suggested and accepted...

In both cases, the Swiss were able to incorporate green roofs to reduce heating and cooling costs, improve storm water runoff, and also to create habitat. The next time you are Zurich, keep your eyes open for these green roofs. As they were completed in 2002, they should be beautifully grown in by now. Discover Top Rated Mighty Leaf Herbal Tea. Tea lovers love our delicious herbal tea blends. You will too. Save 25% on your first order!