Green roofs take on different forms, from a simple shallow layer of soil and ground cover, to a complex system intended to look like a more natural landscape with deeper soil, shrubs and trees. Green roofs can be credited with improving human health and comfort by offering environmental and economic benefits to both building owners and residents.
Benefits to the environment include enhanced storm water management through the addition of permeable and absorbent soil layers, which helps prevent the overflow of storm sewers, and improvement of water quality by filtering rainwater before it reaches local rivers and streams. Vegetation improves air quality by filtering oxygen and absorbing greenhouse and noxious gases, as well as providing plant and wildlife habitat, including corridors for migratory species
New York City residents benefit from noise reduction due to the sound dampening effect of soil and plants, diminished Urban Heat Island Effect - soil and green surfaces, instead of dark and paved surfaces that absorb solar heat and prevent cooling, not to mention the obvious visual and spatial amenities garnered from beautiful green spaces. Green roofs can also serve as community gardens, and other communal gathering spaces.
For building owners green roofs offer significant long term advantages. In addition to making their property more attractive to prospective tenants/buyers, they can expect reduced heating and cooling costs thanks to the insulating properties of the soil and vegetative layers, and prolonged roof membrane life, with lower maintenance costs. To help off-set the initial costs of installing a green roof, the city of New York and New York State passed legislation creating a one-year tax abatement for buildings installing a green roof (available through 2018).
MacKenzie Sharp, MLA, is a landscape production manager at Plant Fantasies, Inc., New York, N.Y. Tags: