Toronto set to build more green roofs

The City of Toronto has approved a strategy to promote the use of Green Roofs on municipal buildings. The recommendations approved by the city council would ensure that these roofs, which consist of vegetation coverage, are considered for new municipal building sand whenever city buildings are being replaced. The target for new city-owned buildings is 50 to 75% of the building’s footprint.
Toronto is also planning to start a pilot program to see financial incentives for the construction of green roofs by building owners.
Green roofs have been found to have a number of environmental benefits besides providing recreational space. They mitigate the effects of stormwater run off by absorbing the rainwater. They also provide insulation for the buildings, and they reduce the urban heat island effect. According to EcoLog newsletter, converting just 8% of the total rooftop area of Toronto’s buildings to vegetative roofs rather than installing the typical asphalt roofs, could lower summer temperatures in the city by as much as 2 degrees Celsius. For more information see www.toronto.ca/greenroofs.