Toronto Goes Green
(Well, its Roofs, Anyway)
Hugs to Toronto for adopting a new green roof policy. They did a study and found that "8% coverage of existing rooftops with extensive green roofs, would generate over $300 million in initial cost savings in areas such as stormwater management, combined sewer overflow reduction, building energy savings, and the urban heat island reductions." They committed to "install green roofs on new and existing buildings owned by the City, whenever practical to do so." Up to 75% for new buildings.
City Council committed to greening of Toronto’s roofs
Toronto City Council today approved a Green Roofs strategy to promote the
use of city rooftops to grow gardens and other vegetation. The City of
Toronto has thoroughly researched the benefits, established demonstration
Green Roofs projects on two municipal buildings, and conducted extensive
consultation with the public, environmental groups and industry. Hundreds of
people have encouraged the City to do more to encourage Green Roofs.
The recommendations that Council approved today include a commitment to
install green roofs on new and existing buildings owned by the City,
whenever practical to do so. For example, green roofs are to be considered
for existing municipal buildings when roofs are due to be replaced. For new
City-owned buildings, the Green Roofs strategy sets a target of green roofs
covering 50 to 75 per cent of a building’s footprint.
Council also recommended that a pilot program of financial incentives be
initiated this year for the construction of green roofs. City officials will
also work with Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund on the
possibility of offering building owners additional financial incentives for
retrofits. From a planning perspective, green roofs will be achieved through
zoning bylaw amendments and site plan controls.
Mayor David Miller said, “This is a perfect example of how we expect the new
City of Toronto Act will help us govern in the best interests of
Torontonians. Given the power to regulate green roofs in our city, we can
work with residents to implement major initiatives that will make our city
cleaner, healthier and more beautiful.”
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone chairs the City’s Roundtable on the Environment,
which recommended the “Making Green Roofs Happen” policy. He said,
“Torontonians have told us that they want the city to do more to promote
Green Roofs. In response, City Council has approved a comprehensive approach
- from establishing standards and building our capacity to support Green
Roofs at the City level, to offering education, funding, expert advice and
promotion.”
Green roofs mitigate the effects of stormwater in the city, improve
buildings’ energy efficiency, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve
air quality, beautify the city, provide locations for gardening and food
production, and provide passive recreational space in densely populated
neighbourhoods. If eight per cent of Toronto’s area were converted to Green
Roofs, summer temperatures could be reduced by as much as 2 degrees Celsius.
More information is available on the Green Roofs website at
http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs.
Media contacts:
Jane Welsh
Project Manager
City Planning
416-392-9709
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone
Chair
Roundtable on the Environment
416-392-4009
