Recently there has a been a wave of enthusiasm in Toronto to mandate the implementation of green roofs on new buildings. The city has basically acknowledged the fact that green roofs provide many positives including reducing the urban heat island effect, reducing storm water runoff by reducing impervious surfaces, increasing insulation and roof longevity. Now the question obviously becomes whether or not to use market-based strategies or to simply use regulation.
Despite recent success in Chicago and Washington D.C., Toronto would be the first North American city to have a green roof mandate. Many programs already exist in countries like Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and France. While market-based strategies seem limited, Germany has implemented new storm water management taxes. By constructing green roofs, developers can avoid heavy costs, while making their buildings more desirable.
Green roofs have been implemented here at Virginia Tech. Many other universities, such as William & Mary, are considering implementing green roofs in their sustainability analysis.
One critique I ha
ve of the proposal is in the list of exclusions which includes schools, industrial facilities, low-income housing, and low- to mid-rise residential units. It would be foolish to dismiss these buildings for whatever reason. Green roofs on schools would provide extra green space for activities and learning. Since the government is normally subsidizing low-income housing anyway, why wouldn't the government want to get a better return on their investment and give extra private green space to those that can least afford it? Increasing green space on site at industrial centers can act as a filter for the emissions and pollution produced.
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