Green Roof/ Rooftop Gardening Course: Econ. 2505 Prof. S. MacDonald Prepared by: Amit Rabadia What is a green roof? A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Commonly used vegetation plants • • • • • • • Sedum Kamtschaticum Sedum spurium Sedum Album Sedum sexangulare Sedum reflexum Allium schoenoprasum Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' How does it work to cool structures? Green roof uses plants to cool a building in summer by absorbing CO2 from the air and reduce storm water runoff which contributes to urban flooding. The multi-layered roofing systems insulate the building against heat and reduce costs of cooling the building. The plants that make up the outside layer of the system protect the inner roof layers from UV rays. According to Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc, a leader in the green industry, UV protection can extend the life of your roof by 40 — 60%. Mother Clara Hale Bus Depot LEED certification featuring: a green roof that uses plants to cool the facility, absorbs CO2 from the air, and reduces storm-water runoff; thermal insulation to save energy and reduce emissions; a solar wall that serves as a passive heating device; rainwater collection for water treatment to wash buses; cost-effective and energy efficient Heat Recovery Units on the roof for a heat exchanger and; a high efficiency white roof that will prevent heat gain in warmer weather, but will not reflect light onto nearby buildings or cause glare. L.E.E.D. • LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. • LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy. • Getting certified allows you take advantage of a growing number of state and local government incentives, and can help boost press interest in your project. Green Roofing Helps!! •Storm water Management Rate, Quantity, and Treatment •Design to Reduce Heat Islands •Water-Efficient Landscaping •Energy and Atmosphere - Optimizing Energy Performance •Innovative Wastewater Technologies •Water Use Reduction