Victoria Getting the Green Light for Fewer Barriers to Green Roofs
Sourced from the Capital Daily
Victoria may be seeing a lot more green in its future. But not where you’d expect it. Picture a variety of plants or grasses growing on a rooftop near you. Councilors Matt Dell and Jeremy Caradonna tabled a motion on Jan. 11 to remove barriers to adding green roofs, rooftop solar, and rooftop patios to Victoria’s built environment.
Current municipal barriers to building green roofs include zoning and FSR (Floor Space Ratio) bylaws. Adding green and solar to rooftops, said Caradonna, “aligns with our climate and sustainability goals.” “We are hoping to bake these options into the city’s OCP (Official Community Plan),” he said.
Green roof technology in Canada has gained popularity recently because of its many environmental benefits. In 2006, the federal government published a Green Roofs Resource Manual for municipal governments in which climatological big sister, Vancouver was featured. In it, motivators for incorporating green roofs in cityscapes include stormwater run-off and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
By improving the insulation of buildings, green rooftops also can lower energy consumption on hot days, contributing to more sustainable and eco-friendly urban environments. Additionally, green roofs help mitigate the urban heat island effect by absorbing and deflecting sunlight, ultimately lowering temperatures in more densely populated areas.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
