Rethinking Rooftops

Rooftops in cities all across the United States and around the world are getting a green makeover, not limited to solar generation (unsightly solar panels or costly solar shingles or solar thin-film).  Green-roofing is a paradigm for reducing the carbon footprint of a building through a number of roof interventions.  These range from applying modern materials that improve thermal performance to painting a roof white in sun-lit places to reflect more sunlight and reduce air conditioning energy use.

Though much touted about, green roofing construction and maintenance can cost considerable "green," and loading issues require additional engineering review and could make retrofits impractical.  However, the extra layer of insulation and extended life of the roof and building could increase the value of the building.  It could also double as a vegetable garden, which improves the livability and value of the property.

This trend in re-thinking roofs is also going commercial into full fledged rooftop farming.  One startup, Bright Farms, is working with groceries to grow tomatoes, for instance, right on the roof of these establishments.  This ensures very fresh, seasonal, and price-reliable produce with significant financial and environmental savings, given the reduction of transportation.  It is akin to the distributed generation paradigm for the electric industry.  Among cities, New York City has emerged as a leader in rooftop farming.

We can also seen entire abandoned buildings or parts of active structures turn into gardens and farms -- the California Science Center in San Francisco is a prime example of vertical farming.  The reclamation of water through rooftop collection for gray water applications is also becoming more common, as water scarcity hits hard across the world, including U.S. states like Florida and Texas.

Have great examples of this trend in your town or communities you have visited?
You are invited to share in our comments section!