May 20th, 2009 · No Comments

From Green Right Now Reports

Photo: City of Chicago

Chicago added the most square feet of green roofs in 2008

The City of Chicago added the most square feet of green roofs in 2008 of any North American city, followed closely by Washington, D.C. and New York City, according to an industry association.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the green roof industry association, also announced a 2008 U.S. growth rate of more than 35 percent over 2007, representing more than 3.1 million square feet installed in 2008. The data came from the association’s Fourth Annual Industry Survey of corporate members that completed green roof projects in 2008.

The City of Chicago has numerous policies in place to support green roofs and urban greening. New York State passed a tax abatement measure in 2008 that will provide up to $100,000 per green roof to improve stormwater management and reduce the urban heat island.

Top Ten Metropolitan Areas – Green Roof Square Footage Installed, 2008

1. Chicago, Il. — 534,507
2. Washington, D.C. — 501,042
3. New York, N.Y. — 358,986
4. Vancouver, B.C. — 320,000
5. Philadelphia, Pa. — 196,820
6. Baltimore, Md. — 150,032
7. Montreal, QC. — 75,700
8. Grand Rapids, Mich. — 74,784
9. Princeton, N.J. — 56,250
10. Newtown Square, Pa. — 48,130

“The green roof industry continues to grow rapidly in response to the pressing need for cleaner air, better stormwater management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing more usable green spaces in our communities,” Steven W. Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, said in a statement.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities will hold its 7th Annual International Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show in Atlanta from June 3 – 5. The Conference brings together more than 1,000 green roof and wall design professionals, manufacturers, researchers and policy makers from across North America and around the world.

Related stories:

• UT Studies Green Roofs: A Cool Growing Idea
• Chicago’s ‘Smart Home’ inspires green lifestyle
• The New Chicago School: Green Building