Where Are Green Roofs Found

Green roofs are covered in soil and plants which are typically custom designed for each rooftop.

Where are green roofs found.

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. One of the most famous ancient green roofs was the hanging gardens of babylon constructed around 500 bce. 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. 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.

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. The vegetation found on green roofs also captures co 2 which gets stored in plants and soil. Getter and colleagues began by measuring the amount of carbon stored in vegetation above ground on 12 typical green roofs in michigan and maryland. In germany 14 percent of all roof area is green source.

Green roofs are a type of low impact development. Köhler concludes that a relatively diverse flora is possible on extensive green roofs in inner cities as well as rural areas. Green roofs in the new york metropolitan region research report rosenzweig et. The city of toronto is the first in north america to require installation of a green roof on most new buildings.

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. Today green roofs are prevalent or even required in some parts of europe. One study found that if the detroit area greened all of its commercial and industrial rooftops. Northern europeans once chose traditional sod roofs as a means of insulating houses.

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.