Toronto’s Green Roof Bylaw
Toronto is the first city in North America to require that all new buildings incorporate a green roof. This bylaw came into effect in 2009 and there are currently 135 completed green roofs in the city. Benefits of green roofs include reduced storm water runoff, reduced energy consumption, better air quality and increased green space.
Green roofs can be either Intensive or Extensive. Intensive roofs can be used for recreational purposes and support vegetation with deep roots, such as trees. Extensive roofs are designed for plants with shallow roots. They require less maintenance and are lighter and less expensive to install.
While new buildings often use a complete green roof system (all parts of the roof support plant growth), retrofitting an older buiding can involve a modular system (trays of plants grown off-site are placed on the existing roof) or vegetation blankets (rolls of plants are set on the existing roof). For more information see the City of Toronto's What is a Green Roof?
The Business, Science and Technology Department has a great selection of books about designing and constructing green roofs and living walls. Green Roofs: Ecological Design and Construction features Toronto as a Municipal Case Study, and the three green roofs discussed are Mountain Equipment Co-op, Queen's Quay and City Hall.
9 thoughts on “Toronto’s Green Roof Bylaw”
This is a wonderful post, Zoe. I have worked in the green infrastructure industry for several years and whenever people have questions and want to learn more I always direct them to the public library; we have such a tremendous wealth of resources. And thanks for last week’s post about urban based vertical farming. I hope there are more posts in the works concerning green infrastructure and living architecture, but no pressure! 🙂
Thanks so much! It means a lot to me to hear from an industry professional, I really appreciate your comments. Given the extreme heat of this summer, the more green spaces the better. And it always amazes me how wildlife appreciates even the smallest green areas. Great to see an article in the Globe and Mail yesterday about the Green Roof Bylaw. Thanks again.
Zoe
Thanks for your comments! Be sure to come into the library to check out our green building/architecture books.
Zoe
That’s definitely a breakthrough for Toronto. Having green roofs in a major city does a lot in preserving the environment. Adequate vegetation supplies fresh air which is beneficial to all of us, and it’s great news that the buildings’ roofs are being utilized for this project.
I agree. It is definitely a great use of dead space and we all benefit even if we don’t know they are there. Thanks for your comments!
Commercial roofing is essential for making certain a residential or business structure covering is prepared to withstand these circumstances. A leaking roof is highly possible when the appropriate maintenance is not applied regularly.
A very important point. A properly constructed roof is surely fundamental to green roof success. Thanks for your comments.
Great post, I am highly appreciate to this article.Green Roof is very helpful for home owner.
Who would be the appropriate contact at the Toronto Public Libraries? I have some inquiries regarding the green roofs that have been installed. Thank you