To: Department of Environment Conversation - New York State

From: Mariam Faisal

Date: 14th October 2023

Subject: Policy Memo - Green Roofs

Executive Summary:

Problem Definition:
The problem at hand is the sustainability of urban areas and thus the underutilization of green
roofs there. Green roofs, also known as living roofs or eco-roofs, are vegetated rooftop spaces
that offer numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. These benefits include
improved stormwater management, energy efficiency, urban heat island mitigation, enhanced air
quality, and aesthetic improvements. However, despite their potential advantages, green roofs
remain an underexplored solution in many urban environments.

Importance:
The importance of addressing this issue cannot be overstated. Urbanization is on the rise,
leading to several urban challenges, including increased temperatures, reduced green space,
and water management issues. Green roofs offer a multifaceted approach to mitigating these
challenges and contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities. To harness the full
potential of green roofs, it is crucial to encourage their adoption and integration into urban
development.

Recommendations:
- Incentivize Green Roof Adoption: We recommend the implementation of financial
incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, for property owners who invest in green roofs.
These incentives will offset the initial cost and promote the installation of green roofs
across urban areas.
- Mandatory Green Roof Requirements: Introduce legislation mandating the incorporation
of green roofs in new construction and redevelopment projects, particularly in densely
populated urban areas.
- Community Awareness and Education: Launch a public awareness campaign to inform
citizens, property owners, and policymakers about the benefits of green roofs, how to
install and maintain them, and their positive impacts on the community.

Background:
Problem Framing and Description:
The underutilization of green roofs in urban areas is a critical component of broader urban
sustainability challenges. Urbanization has resulted in the increased conversion of natural
landscapes into impervious surfaces. This transformation exacerbates urban heat island effects,
disrupts local ecosystems, and contributes to water runoff problems. Green roofs present a
potential solution, helping to mitigate these issues. However, the problem lies in the lack of
widespread adoption and the need for policies and incentives to encourage their
implementation.

Different perspectives exist regarding the role of green roofs. Some view them as a necessary
element of urban development to combat climate change and enhance urban living, while others
may be concerned about the costs or maintenance requirements associated with green roofs.
Policymakers, urban planners, and environmental advocates have various opinions on the
degree to which green roofs should be promoted.

An Evaluation of the Existing:

Solutions/Policies Implemented or Proposed:

Several policies and initiatives aimed at promoting green roofs have been proposed and
implemented in various cities worldwide. These include financial incentives for green roof
installation, building code revisions, and educational campaigns.

Some success stories include Toronto, where a Green Roof Bylaw requires green roofs on new
commercial, institutional, and residential developments. Chicago offers incentives to property
owners who install green roofs through its Green Roof Grants Program. The city of
Copenhagen, Denmark, encourages green roof construction through tax incentives.

Challenges that remain include the lack of standardized regulations and policies across cities,
the perception of high upfront costs, and maintenance concerns. These challenges hinder the
broader adoption of green roofs in urban areas.

Policy Recommendations:

1. Incentivize Green Roof Adoption:

Implementation Steps: Develop a comprehensive financial incentive program that includes tax
breaks, grants, and low-interest loans for property owners interested in installing green roofs.
Ensure simplicity and accessibility in the application process.
Resources Needed: Allocate a budget for the incentive program, and establish a dedicated
administrative body to oversee applications, disbursement, and compliance.
Challenges: Opposition from stakeholders who may perceive this as a financial burden on the
government, and the need for long-term funding to maintain the incentive program.

2. Mandatory Green Roof Requirements:

Implementation Steps: Collaborate with architects, builders, and property developers to

integrate green roofs into urban development plans. Develop and enforce regulations that
mandate green roofs in new construction and major renovations.
Resources Needed: Invest in workforce training, technical assistance, and provide guidance for
implementation, and create a monitoring and compliance mechanism.
Challenges: Resistance from some property developers who may oppose additional
construction costs, and the need for clear enforcement measures to ensure compliance.

3. Community Awareness and Education:

Implementation Steps: Launch an extensive public awareness campaign that highlights the
environmental, economic, and social benefits of green roofs. Offer workshops, webinars, and
informational resources for residents, property owners, and local businesses.
Resources Needed: Allocate funds for the awareness campaign, partner with environmental
organizations, and hire professionals for educational outreach.
Challenges: Ensuring the campaign reaches a wide and diverse audience, and maintaining
public interest and engagement over time.

substrate and drainage layer material choice significantly affects stormwater retention
potential, leachate quality, plant survival, and determines GR environmental footprints.
Subsequently, type of plants, their form, and kinds used on GRs impact GR ecosystem
function. Leaf area is the most studied trait due to its influence on the cooling potential
and energy performance. In order to achieve a sustainable GR, it is essential to select
the type of plants that have a high survival rate. -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9528882/

The water retention layer captures stormwater and reduces rooftop runoff, and also
provides water for plants (Simmons et al. 2008). The filter layer is above the drainage
layer and prevents substrate fine particles from passing through the drainage layer. By
removing excessive water through its porosity, the drainage layer is responsible for
providing a balance between drainage and water retention and adequate root aeration.
The protection layer and root barrier are placed at the lowest level of the layers,
protecting the building structure from penetration of vegetation roots and small-sized
 particles into the structures (Bozorg Chenani et al. 2015). -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9528882/

Sources:
1. The Nature Conservancy. (2018). Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: A Brief Review of the
Research.
2. City of Toronto. (2021). Green Roof Bylaw
3. City of Chicago. (2021). Green Roof Grants Program.
4. Copenhagen Municipality. (2020). Green Roofs in Copenhagen.
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2017). Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Green
Roofs.