Toronto's new green roof law a first for North America
Photo: 416style/Flickr 
Link
EMAIL
Stumble
Tweet
link:
Comments(40)
Posted By Anonymous - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 7:01 PM ESTAn aesthetic improvement
Whatever the contribution is to water management, CO2 absorption, heat dissipation blah blah blah, green rooftops will be one way to make a city considerably less ugly. I always think the aesthetics of any manmade space is improved by the addition of plants. There's also the potential to make the space a place to go for people to relax and enjoy, even have a cafe there, maybe.
Posted By Anonymous - Sat, Jul 04 2009 at 10:08 AM ESTRequiring Growth and Change Isn't Bigotry
One might also look at this as just another quite reasonable building code requirement. Just as we require certain kinds of construction and land use to insure the public health and safety, this addresses real problems with heat islands and water runoff and any number of other issues that arise from insensitive construction.
As to the whinging from the "All regulation is bad and this is so unfair to the poor developer, yadda, yadda, yadda" crowd....The alternative is to have the costs.... More
Posted By Brian in Knoxville - Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 10:31 AM ESTRe: Requiring Growth & Change Isn't Bigotry
Very well said.
Posted By Anonymous - Fri, Jul 03 2009 at 8:23 PM ESTIt's your own fault
The only reason this had to be mandated is because developers weren't doing it by themselves already. Any architect/developer/engineer who's any good can clearly see that concrete doesn't absorb rain and therefore in a concrete city, there'll be run-off... so they should've already been putting things in place, such as green rooftops to sort this out. But they weren't. Now they have to.
Posted By Anonymous - Fri, Jul 03 2009 at 1:15 AM ESTGood idea, bad way of putting it into action
I think that green roofing is a good idea (green-- including solar, possible small wind, etc projects) however, the goverenment mandating and getting into our lives even further is unnecessary and quite the opposite of what is needed.
If they want it, offer tax credits for doing it or offer some stipend to have it done. But ordering every new building to have it done will create cheap sloppy work resulting in damages and uncared for roofs and simply even more unhappy citizens.
Posted By Jack Finley - Fri, Jul 03 2009 at 12:19 AM ESTCo-0ps
Forty years ago I lived in Hyde Park, Chicago, Which is Obama's other home. The community surrounds the U of Chicago and at that time contained a sizable number of Progressive folks whose roots came from 1920-30's leftist beginnings. I belonged to a thriving Co-Op super market and we also had a neighborhood weekly Co-Op Food Bank. We even had a Co-OP babysitting arrangement. There were also a few large Co-Op apartment buildings that had been in existence for a number of years. I belonged to.... More
Posted By Anonymous - Thu, Jul 02 2009 at 12:11 PM ESTI hope there flexable
I hope that they would count solar (heat or power) or some other type of green project as part of the % and not just a roof with plants on it. it is always scares me when gov seems to force people into one product and not into a range of solutions so privet sector can find the best answer for the different people/buildings. An example, privet homes have solar hot water but office buildings have plants and a roof top park.
Posted By CaptainScorpio - Tue, Jul 07 2009 at 12:14 PM ESTRe: Flexibility
If it's not right now flexible enough to allow green technologies other than plants, it will be made so in short order. That sort of thing makes lawmakers look really good.
Posted By Anonymous - Thu, Jul 02 2009 at 11:00 AM ESTmm?
Well.. in my city one of the mayors made it mandatory that every major development, as in shopping malls or sky scrappers, have to have a small park area. so similar to the roof idea but next to the building.
Posted By MNN User - Thu, Jul 02 2009 at 5:01 AM ESTRe: Toronto's new green roof law a first for North America
Wow! This is amazing!! Thanks for sharing this!
Posted By Kendra - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 10:32 PM ESTGreat law, great idea
The people who are complaining about this are ridiculous, as are all the developers. Green roofs can be expensive but they can also be very affordable. I recently did a project in my University course that looked at establishing a green wall on campus. I had to sift through a lot of information on green roofs and green walls to get my information and they are pretty cheap--100 per square METER of vegetation. Of course if you want exotic plants this will up the pricing. Also the benefits that.... More
Posted By ME - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 3:43 PM ESTWhy not go solar?
Well Canada as other countries in the world should start taking initiatives for a greener world... now it is not fair to have it as a law, since its very costly and to tell the truth not as beneficial as other green solution, such as solar panels or wind turbines. To tell the truth a combination of all is the most immediate solution we have. Canada has one of the biggest unpopulated land masses of the entire world. Toronto as it is has one of the most extensive green areas in North America.... More
Posted By Anonymous - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 3:24 PM ESTMy thoughts
Maybe I am the only one in the whole world right now that thinks this but I don't care I don't think the goverment should be putting all these by-laws into effect at all I think that it is the responsbily of the buyer a new development to buy what they feel is environmentaly impacting if thats what they feel is better. I don't like the goverment pushing things like this on us
Posted By femme diabolique - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 1:09 PM ESTTOO MUCH GOVERNMENT?
How about making it optional with a substantial tax credit incentive for those who choose to participate? Will there be a rash of roofs collapsing on unsuspecting citizens in the future? Green roof weight + snow weight = trouble? Will there be government inspectors regulating if a roof is capable of sustaining the additional weight prior to compliance? I'm just askin' ...............
Posted By Anonymous - Tue, Jul 14 2009 at 12:54 PM ESTIts called Structural Engineering
Loads are taking into account at the START of the design of a building, including green roof weight & snow. Following proper engineering rules and guidelines ensures all of our structures and buildings don't collapse. Inspectors are only responsible for ensuring the proper installation of the green roof as well as the rest of the entire building. Inspectors are present throughout the entire construction process already. I'm just sayin' ..............
Posted By Ganni - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 4:58 AM ESTUse roofs
Looking down from a high building you realize how much roof space is unutilized. It can be profitably used for parking of cars, solar heaters, pv, roof gardens greenhouses and whatever.
Posted By kungpow - Wed, Jul 01 2009 at 3:05 AM ESTWho would fight this?
I really don't see any problem with this, The streets of cities are dirty and depressing, and I've seen Chicago's green rooftops and it's like a slice of paradise. They can take the edge off a hot day and will help make the air just a bit cleaner, so what problem can people possibly have with this? It may sound bad, but anyone who would seriously oppose this is a moron or just loves to pick fights.
Posted By Tyler - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 11:41 PM ESTWelp
gee, the guy below me seems to know just about everything, I should probably stop trying to get the city I live in to pass similar legislation since its "stupid." Cost aside, I can't think of any real negatives to green roofing. You seem to have though, please good sir, tell us more.
Posted By Angela - Sun, Jul 05 2009 at 3:19 PM ESTLeave people alone already.
, the real negative to green roofing is that it comes at a price, both to the wallet and to private property rights. Why in the world would you insist on cramming your lifestyle choices on others?
I have enough trouble finding time to mow the lawn, and I have zero interest in finding time to mow the roof.
Wait until the roof springs a leak. Trying to find it under tons of soil will be a joy.
Posted By a student - Mon, Jul 13 2009 at 11:30 AM ESTbe more knowledgable.
your comment exposes your ignorance to how exactly a green roof works.
Posted By Anonymous - Sun, Jul 05 2009 at 4:31 PM EST"leave people alone"?
"Why in the world would you insist on cramming your lifestyle choices on others?" wow you never lived in a neighborhood, let alone a real city. Get used to ordinances. The very act of crowding lots of people into a relatively small area changes many freedoms implicitly and dramatically. Some you are so used to you wouldn't even think of them. If you want to be more (but never completely) free of ordinances, don't build in a city, go to the country.
Posted By Anonymous - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 12:52 PM ESTSolar Roof
I think its great that they're putting in green rooftops, I wish that they would make all suburban developers put in solar shingles on all new homes. that would offset a bunch of energy usage.
I hoping when its time for us to put on a new roof we can afford to include solar shingles.
Posted By Anonymous - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 12:28 PM ESTquestion mark
wow there is a lot of negative comments on here. people seem upset at the cost this is going to impose on businesses. but have you all thought of the cost that massive development has had on our society, transportation, environment and general infrastructure? poorly planned shopping developments that increase traffic, massive amounts of asphalt that cause temperatures to rise, excess urban sprawl that is now being abandoned b/c people can no longer afford it. so if you think that developers.... More
Posted By a student - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 10:17 AM ESTplease understand the purpose of green rooftops
Draesdehn, where in the world did you get that statistic? I’m not refuting it, but I can’t find proof of that anywhere. Obviously, the US is a very spread out country. But the point is that urban areas are extremely dense with people and pollution. I think that many people don’t understand the purpose of green rooftops. The point of having a green rooftop is to offset the massive amount of impervious surfaces that urban areas create. Anonymous 9:01 AM, that is why solar panels and green.... More
Posted By Henry - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 5:24 PM ESTWater Pollution
I would only add, that in the case of water run-off, a major source of pollution to rivers, lakes, & the like, comes when there is enough of a down pour, & city water processing units cannot handle the run-off, so the overflow goes from the sewage treatment (it has mixed with other "waste" water, etc.), as RAW sewage. Avoiding this condition, even somewhat, could be helpful... Of course, so could better designed water systems... Some city's are trying to use (say) wetlands for such.... More
Posted By Anonymous - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 9:01 AM ESTMore Productivity?
Green roofs are a nice idea maybe for smaller buildings with less access to sun, but I would say that putting in solar panels would be a lot more productive and effective use of roof space or a mini version of those concentrated solar towers?
Posted By Draesdehn - Tue, Jun 30 2009 at 7:33 AM ESTAre you people high?
The US is 90% natural land, Canada is over 98%. There will never be a time where either is even a third urban area. Common sense should tell you this. The only effect this has is raising the cost of renting, parking, and shopping in Toronto. Neither the Earth nor the Human race will benefit from this in any way. Hell, for people who live in the city to get away from allergies, it's simply hell. Stop with this lame feelgood nonsense that doesn't benefit anyone and come up with a nuts and bolts.... More
Posted By Angus - Mon, Jun 29 2009 at 8:01 PM ESTA Tax on CO2 emissions
If not for plants we wouldn't be able to breath. It's easy to forget that the necesseties of humans are greatly dependant on our environment. I think this law helps because at some point in our distant future there might not be non-urban areas, so it's important to integrate our necessary ecosystem into our continually confining environment.
Posted By My Green earth Online - Mon, Jun 29 2009 at 12:54 PM ESTThis Is Needed
As we become more aware of our environment, these kind of systems are so needed for our survival, and this will cool down the heat effect of the standard roofs.
NICE
Posted By Matt - Sun, Jun 28 2009 at 2:03 PM ESTGreat idea
Think about it, we've paved over so much of our world already, like a parasite in a host were slowly draining/killing the earth. so whats a little landscape on the roof anyway?
Posted By Havvy - Sat, Jun 27 2009 at 9:54 PM ESTAnti-Business Bigotry
"I live in Toronto, and I'm pretty glad they implemented this bylaw. I have very little patience for the whining of developers who, even in a downturn, stand to profit millions of dollars from any large-scale development - especially in Toronto's overcrowded urban landscape. 170,000 dollars is a drop in the bucket to these people - it's the inconvenience that bothers them, and I couldn't have less sympathy for it."
You are glad you just lost the ability to not place plants on the tops.... More
Posted By Your Mom - Sat, Jun 27 2009 at 12:21 PM ESTIt is good
I live in Toronto, and I'm pretty glad they implemented this bylaw. I have very little patience for the whining of developers who, even in a downturn, stand to profit millions of dollars from any large-scale development - especially in Toronto's overcrowded urban landscape. 170,000 dollars is a drop in the bucket to these people - it's the inconvenience that bothers them, and I couldn't have less sympathy for it.
Meanwhile, green rooftops will do a lot to make the city more liveable -.... More
Posted By Anonymous - Sat, Jun 27 2009 at 11:38 AM ESTWish
I'd like one of those green roofs. I just wish we have the time and the means to put it up ourselves or the money to have someone else do it for us.
Posted By iceboks - Sat, Jun 27 2009 at 5:21 AM ESTWell... why not
Like every one else said, its great for the envo and looks, great jobs I think why not
Posted By Anonymous - Sat, Jun 27 2009 at 2:25 AM ESTwhiners
All of you are looking at this from a narrow point of view. You complain of cost and effort but you don't look at the jobs created by this new law or the environmental benefits. Each plant pulls CO2 out of the atmosphere, so even if one dies and you have to plant another, the benefit out ways the cost. Besides, it looks a lot better than gravel on a roof. Stop complaining about how you have to change what you're doing and open your eyes.
Posted By Anonymous - Fri, Jun 26 2009 at 7:59 PM ESTbunk law
this law is bunk. I should be able to decide if i want a bunch of grass and **** on my roof. so again bunk on this
Posted By mgl - Thu, Jun 25 2009 at 6:11 PM ESTLots of Weight
I think a green house on the roof is a better idea. But you will have to put in some heavy duty joists.
What's the maintenance?
Good idea or bad, I wonder about maintenance. Every lawn or garden I've ever seen needs care, watering, weeding, fertilizing or mowing or something. Even a quasi-wild field needs something, and these are bound to be only inches deep and not huge. Is this part of the deal? If it dies, you have to replant? What about no watering periods during droughts? Anyone know details from Toronto or Chicago or elsewhere?