Where Are Green Roofs Found

Green roofs are becoming common in chicago as well as in atlanta portland and other united states cities where their use is encouraged by regulations to combat the urban heat island effect.

Where are green roofs found. Getter and colleagues began by measuring the amount of carbon stored in vegetation above ground on 12 typical green roofs in michigan and maryland. The vegetation found on green roofs also captures co 2 which gets stored in plants and soil. Green roofs in the new york metropolitan region research report rosenzweig et. In recent years green roofs have become popular in the united states and canada.

Green roofs are covered in soil and plants which are typically custom designed for each rooftop. Reduces urban heat island effect and improves air quality the temperature in cities is often higher than surrounding rural areas a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. Köhler concludes that a relatively diverse flora is possible on extensive green roofs in inner cities as well as rural areas. These emissions reductions equate to monetized health benefits of 35 500 80 500.

Today green roofs are prevalent or even required in some parts of europe. Green roofs are a type of low impact development. The study found that the over 700 000 ft 2 total coverage of green roofs in kansas city installed between 1999 2020 would result in avoided emissions of 384 pounds of nitrogen oxide 734 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 269 tons of carbon dioxide in 2020. Recently many countries sweden finland iceland denmark norway greenland vinland and the faeroe islands people tend to cover their rooftops with sod during the extreme climatic conditions.

In his paper manfred köhler describes his studies of green roofs constructed in berlin in the mid 1980s representing the second boom in german green roof creation. The city of toronto is the first in north america to require installation of a green roof on most new buildings. One study found that if the detroit area greened all of its commercial and industrial rooftops. One of the most famous ancient green roofs was the hanging gardens of babylon constructed around 500 bce.

This support has led to the creation of a vibrant multi million dollar market for green roof products and services in germany france austria and switzerland among others.