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Roof gardens and parks for sustainable cities

The cities of the future will be under a carpet of vegation. So compelling are the reasons for this policy, they can scarcely be evaded:

• roof vegation has the most beneficial consequences for surface water management
• roof gardens have excellent thermal properties: the insulation they provide makes buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer
• extensive roof gardens provide wonderful habitats for wild life
• roofing membranes last longer when protected by a cool damp layer of vegetation
• in dense cities, outdoor space is at roof level is often pleasanter than outdoor space at ground level: it is quieter and less polluted. These are known as 'intensive' roof gardens
• plants on roofs take in carbon-dioxide and give out oxygen
• vegetated roofs collect dust which otherwise pollutes the air

Cycling and roof-gardening are two of the cheapest and best policies for making cities more sustainable.

• about 1 year ago Seattle Architect said

  Green roof gardens are becoming more and more common place for public buildings. Private residences have been slow to pick up this trend.

• almost 2 years ago Keith Brisco said

  I'd just like to say I am impressed by all the great and really helpful information you provide to your website viewers. I have a project due in a couple of days and one task for the project was to create an environmentally friendly building that outlines all its natural features and how this can make my city more sustainable. One feature i thought up for the building was a roof-top garden. I checked your website on some good ways the garden can help my building and I was astonished at the brilliant information I received. I am very thankful.
  Yours sincerely,
  Keith Brisco