The City of Toronto's Round Table on the Environment met last week to present their report "Making Green Roofs Happen". As the council pointed out - it is very rare to have the chambers full with a crowd overwhelmingly in support of a City proposal! I t was a really inspiring evening that demonstrated how far green roofs have come. Those who gave deputations were very well informed and had constructive crticism to help the City go forward with this initiative.
The City has been working with Ryerson University to prepare a very comprehensive report on green roofs and their benefits. For the first time, many of the known benefits like stormwater management, heat island reduction, biodiversity etc have been quantified. The result reinforced what those of us working in the field already knew: that although green roofs provide some added benefits to building owners like prolonged membrane life, cooling and aesthetics, the real benefits are far more wide reaching. Reduced stormwater run off, cleaner run off, better air quality, biodiversity etc etc.. the benefits are for everyone. As a result the City has made some policy decisions - including education and incentive programs - that should help to "Make Green Roofs Happen" in the City of Toronto! More information is available on the City of Toronto Green Roof web site. Implementation is scheduled for April 2006. We look forward to seeing it happen!