Journal
Elevating biodiversity
Green roofs have been around in many different parts of the world for hundreds if not thousands of years. But structurally lightweight green roofs – and there’s a drive to rename them ‘living roofs’ – are a relatively new phenomenon. And this is what is so interesting: here is a relatively new subject, with the leaders in the field openly acknowledging they don’t have all the answers, so there is research and development and trial and error and an exchange of information representing a collaboration between countries, disciplines, practices, manufacturers etc on a scale and with an energy I haven’t witnessed before.1 Because it is an international topic, it’s vital to understand the purpose and function of green roofs for each country involved. Significantly, green roof policies have been embodied in legislation in most countries apart from the UK. Understanding this background is a key to unlocking the potential application and scope for development of different techniques and technologies for more green roofs. So, for example, much post-war reindustrialisation in Germany took place in cities located along the flood plains in the Rhine and Ruhr valleys. Buffering storm water was recognised as a priority, and the implementation of green roofs, reinforced by legislation with taxes and grants, was one of the solutions. Discuss this article
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