In Paris, an urban initiative aims to green roofs, facades and walls with the help of public and private partnerships. Currently at its half-way point, what has already been done?
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Garfield Green will meet Passive House standards, an environmentally friendly building standard that drastically reduces energy use. All of its energy will be supplied by solar panels, and most of its green roof will grow food and mitigate stormwater, according to the city statement. Planned commercial tenants will have a climate change tie-in, such as a clinic to address an increase in asthma rates, the statement said.
Hassalo on Eigth_Portland USA
Image: GBD Architects
Portland, Oregon is one of the USA’s most ecologically-minded cities, and Hassalo on Eighth is one of those unique projects which elegantly combines beauty, sustainability, and practicality into one stunning showpiece of green infrastructure.
One Central Park in Sydney has been lauded for its design, which heavily incorporates vegetation.
Humans, on average, spend the vast majority of their time indoors. Yet scientific studies on human health conclude that spending time in and around nature, or even just looking at natural elements, can have wide-ranging benefits. The real estate industry is closing the gap between these conflicting concepts by bringing nature indoors with biophilic building design.
LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIAN MAYORS:
Image: Hudson River developments NYC Courtesy: Related-Oxford
The New York mayor celebrated Earth Day by announcing a proposal that he claims would bar construction of many of the glass-and-steel towers that have joined the city skyline in recent years. The plan, which requires legislation in the City Council, is part of what he termed his own Green New Deal.
New York City Council passed The Climate Mobilization Act, a suite of measures to reduce greenhouse gases released from buildings in New York City, including a requirement for green roofs and/or solar panels on newly constructed buildings.
SKY VIEW PARK PROJECT PROFILE: (Courtesy of <greenroofs.com>)
Sky View Parc NYC: Image: by Sempergreen.
Located in vibrant downtown Flushing, Sky View Parc is one of New York City’s largest mixed-use developments with 1200 luxury units. Understanding the significant visual impact of roof design to the view from the surrounding six 12-story towers, the owner saw value in aesthetic green.
Lajee Center Opens Rooftop Garden in Aida Camp_Palestine
This story is what it's all about. As humans we have an innate need to connect with Nature, however, in some places that pathway is blocked.
This is not a green roof with high design technology or lush verdant gardens. This is a green roof that provides hope in a war torn territory.
PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS
Across the Bow River in Calgary’s southwest inner-city community of Bankview, inner-city developer Rndsqr has hit the sweet spot with Grow, a distinctive 20-unit condominium project that revolves around green roofs and gardening.