To obtain a copy of a specific publication, users should contact the publication's publisher directly.
Title
Utilizing Green Technology and Research to Assess Green Roofing Benefits
Utilizing Green Technology and Research to Assess Green Roofing Benefits
Date
9/2011
9/2011
Author(s)
Angie Durhman; Margaret Collins; Wade McGillis
Angie Durhman; Margaret Collins; Wade McGillis
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
green roof; New York city; water management; urban heat island; energy; biodiversity
green roof; New York city; water management; urban heat island; energy; biodiversity
Abstract
One emerging alternative to improving the state of inadequate, or decaying, infrastructure in urban environments, which does not involve a perpetuation of large scale, costly systems, is an approach known as low impact development (LID). LID interventions are small-scale changes or embellishments that are used at the building, lot or even neighborhood scale to conserve or reuse water, manage stormwater, and/or reduce energy demands. Because LID interventions are a distributed, rather than centralized, form of infrastructure, they also have the potential to build resilience into existing infrastructure systems. Furthermore, as less costly and more “nimble” infrastructures, LID interventions hold promise as urban adaptation strategies in the face of the uncertainty of climate change impacts. A current LID intervention that is increasingly being adopted in urban environments to manage storm-water impacts, improve environmental conditions and reduce energy consumption, is green roof technology. Although modern green roofs have been in use for over thirty years in Germany, they are relatively new to North America. As a result, detailed understanding of green roof behavior, particularly within an urban context, is still lacking in many areas including; (i) the impact of different plant species and growing medium thickness on green roof behavior, (ii) the contribution of evapotranspiration to storm water retention/detention and reduction of urban heat island effects, (iii) the quality of green roof water run-off, and (iv) the ability of green roofs to trap air-borne particulates and take up other contaminants such as NOx and CO2. A collaborative research project on the USPS-Morgan facility in NYC has started to monitor and understand the largest vegetated roof in all 5 boroughs in the NYC Region. The effort is lead by TectaAmerica Corp, USPS, Columbia University, and the URS Corp. The roof was also installed by industry experts in advance of any research potential, so this project stands to be a true example of real world analysis of green roof performance. The roof is equipped with equipment to record stormwater quality and quantity, heat flow comparisons, roof weather, and biodiversity. Columbia University has been instrumenting New York City green roofs for the past 6 years. Instrumentation on the USPS Morgan Facility began in 2010. The goal of this project is to scientifically quantify the performance of urban green roofs, in order to provide a basis for developing guidelines and standards that can ensure that the potential of this LID technology is fully realized. Results from the project are and will directly contribute to strengthening the emerging U.S. green roof industry. Furthermore, they will help ensure that new policies and decision making in this area support meaningful progress toward urban sustainability. In addition, the project will enhance the infrastructure for research and education by establishing an Urban Green Roof Network in New York City that can be used as a living laboratory for research and educational activities alike.
One emerging alternative to improving the state of inadequate, or decaying, infrastructure in urban environments, which does not involve a perpetuation of large scale, costly systems, is an approach known as low impact development (LID). LID interventions are small-scale changes or embellishments that are used at the building, lot or even neighborhood scale to conserve or reuse water, manage stormwater, and/or reduce energy demands. Because LID interventions are a distributed, rather than centralized, form of infrastructure, they also have the potential to build resilience into existing infrastructure systems. Furthermore, as less costly and more “nimble” infrastructures, LID interventions hold promise as urban adaptation strategies in the face of the uncertainty of climate change impacts. A current LID intervention that is increasingly being adopted in urban environments to manage storm-water impacts, improve environmental conditions and reduce energy consumption, is green roof technology. Although modern green roofs have been in use for over thirty years in Germany, they are relatively new to North America. As a result, detailed understanding of green roof behavior, particularly within an urban context, is still lacking in many areas including; (i) the impact of different plant species and growing medium thickness on green roof behavior, (ii) the contribution of evapotranspiration to storm water retention/detention and reduction of urban heat island effects, (iii) the quality of green roof water run-off, and (iv) the ability of green roofs to trap air-borne particulates and take up other contaminants such as NOx and CO2. A collaborative research project on the USPS-Morgan facility in NYC has started to monitor and understand the largest vegetated roof in all 5 boroughs in the NYC Region. The effort is lead by TectaAmerica Corp, USPS, Columbia University, and the URS Corp. The roof was also installed by industry experts in advance of any research potential, so this project stands to be a true example of real world analysis of green roof performance. The roof is equipped with equipment to record stormwater quality and quantity, heat flow comparisons, roof weather, and biodiversity. Columbia University has been instrumenting New York City green roofs for the past 6 years. Instrumentation on the USPS Morgan Facility began in 2010. The goal of this project is to scientifically quantify the performance of urban green roofs, in order to provide a basis for developing guidelines and standards that can ensure that the potential of this LID technology is fully realized. Results from the project are and will directly contribute to strengthening the emerging U.S. green roof industry. Furthermore, they will help ensure that new policies and decision making in this area support meaningful progress toward urban sustainability. In addition, the project will enhance the infrastructure for research and education by establishing an Urban Green Roof Network in New York City that can be used as a living laboratory for research and educational activities alike.